ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ: VUZI), a supplier of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technology and products, has announced that it has been selected by AFWERX for a Smart Business Innovative Research (SBIR) phase I contract focused on the development of augmented reality head-mounted displays (HMDs) using waveguide technologies to address challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). AFWERX is the innovation arm of the DAF and is powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

Under this DAF-funded program, Vuzix will begin developing and supplying innovative waveguide and HMD capabilities, according to the announcement.

"We are thrilled to directly engage with the U.S. Government via this Department of the Air Force development contract award," said Paul Travers, president and chief executive officer at Vuzix. "Our waveguides, which are proudly designed and manufactured in our New York State facility, can be paired with our leading-edge projector technologies typically used by the Department of Defense (DOD). This innovative combination of our optical solutions promises a new level of functionality and performance to what may ultimately become part of a broad range of solutions for DOD aircraft, vehicles and personnel use cases across various military U.S. DOD branches."

Vuzix is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technologies and products for the enterprise, medical, defense and consumer markets. The company's products include head-mounted smart personal display and wearable computing devices. Vuzix holds more than 375 patents and patents pending, and numerous IP licenses in the fields of optics, head-mounted displays and augmented reality video eyewear field.