LAS VEGAS—Eyewear was everywhere at CES 2017, along with an abundance of vision technologies, some of which have yet to be seen at optical industry trade shows. This year’s CES was a significant contrast from only a few years ago, when most of the optical products on display there were 3D glasses.
But now the massive consumer electronics show, held here during the first week of January, has become a launch pad for a broad assortment of vision products. They range from virtual reality goggles and smart glasses with augmented reality features to sunglasses equipped with video cameras, night vision goggles, eye tracking diagnostic systems, assistive devices, eye testing technology and more.
This guided tour of CES takes you to the Sands Convention Center and the Las Vegas Convention Center, where vision technology for today and tomorrow was among the stars of the show.
CES 2017
Attendees stream into the Sands Convention Center—familiar to Vision Expo West attendees—where eyewear and eyecare products were on display in the health and wellness section.
CES 2017
(L to R) Erin Cater, Troy Otillio and Wesley Friesen from Aira, a San Diego startup that has developed a remote assistive technology that connects the blind with a network of certified agents via wearable smart glasses and an augmented reality dashboard that allows agents to see what the blind person sees in real time. Otillio is wearing the Aira device.
CES 2017
(L to R) Stephen Crossland, Stuart Mead and Woody Deguchi are bringing Fuel3D’s new facial scanning technology, which uses a proprietary mirror and software, to optical dispensaries.
CES 2017
Terry Chance models Sunnycam HD video recording eyewear.
CES 2017
Ron Blum sports a pair of sunglasses equipped with PogoCam, a small camera that attaches to a magnetized track on the frame’s temple. His company, PogoTec, is partnering with FGX International, ClearVision Optical, Argus Vision and Vista Eyewear. Each company is creating frame designs upon which PogoCam and other wearable devices can be mounted. PogoCam and PogoTrack frames won the IHS Markit Innovation Award in the fitness/wearables/health devices category at the ShowStoppers Consumer Electronics Show (CES) event, held Jan. 5.
CES 2017
Another frame-mounted device on display at CES was Orcam, demonstrated here by Aliza Olenick. Orcam’s assistive technology for people with vision impairments consists of a camera and software that can read or identify what the camera sees and then provide voice guidance to help the wearer to navigate his or her environment.
CES 2017
This model is wearing a wireless eyeglass security system by Se-Kure Controls that will sound an alarm if it detects than an item in a store has been moved past a pre-determined distance.
CES 2017
Fitbit and Under Armour were two of the many well-known brands that exhibited in the health and wellness section.
CES 2017
Michele Andrews, OD, (l) CooperVision’s senior director of North America professional and academic affairs, speaks to a reporter about Biofinity Energys, the first contact lens designed specifically for digital device users.
CES 2017
Nilo Garcia Manchado of Reticare greeted attendees and provided them with the latest information about his company’s blue filtering screen protectors and glasses.
CES 2017
Attendees trying out virtual reality goggles to get an immersive gaming experience at the Qualcomm booth.
CES 2017
Dave Hodgson of Total3DSolutions offering visitors a demonstration of the VROne, the latest virtual reality eyewear from Zeiss.
CES 2017
BlazeTorch night vision goggles were a hit with hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts.
CES 2017
Vision Monday’s Andrew Karp tried Smith Optics’ Lowdown Focus Mpowered by Muse. Designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, the new smart sunglasses integrate Interaxon’s Muse technology into Smith Lowdown frames. The sunglasses are based on a new eyewear platform called SafiloX that combines the latest brain-sensing and cognitive training technology.
CES 2017
Vuzix debuted its Blade 3000 smart sunglasses, which delivers a full-color display with enhanced functionality for hands-free, mobile computing.
CES 2017
An attendee interacting with one of many robots that roamed the show floor.
CES 2017
These robots had touchscreen activated features.
CES 2017
Toyota’s futuristic concept car incorporates artificial intelligence that enables it to be a driving “partner.”
CES 2017
Attendees ride Honda’s motorized vehicles designed to transport people with disabilities short distances.
CES 2017
Drones, along with robots, seemed to be everywhere at CES. This drone fleet was poised for takeoff.
CES 2017
An overhead OLED display on curved screens drew attendees to the LG exhibit.
CES 2017
eyeLock showed how retinal scanning technology is used for security systems.
CES 2017
Eyeglasses are now part of the Internet of Things, as seen with this tracking device that uses an app to help people find their glasses.
CES 2017
Inside one of the main hallways at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the largest venue for CES 2017.
CES 2017
Exhausted CES attendees welcome a few minutes of relaxation in one of several booths exhibiting massage chairs.