Elcyo Secures Two New Grants to Accelerate the Development of Eye-Movement Sensing Technology and VR Content
Elcyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, CEO: Sunri Lee), a startup developing “Autofocal Glasses” equipped with liquid crystal lenses that automatically adjust focus, is pleased to announce that it has been selected for two prestigious grant programs.
The first is the 113th New Technology Development Grant from the Ichimura Foundation for New Technology, which supports the commercialization of unique new technologies. Through this initiative, Elcyo will prototype its Autofocal Glasses, which will feature eye-movement sensing technology.
In addition, Elcyo has also been selected for the "Business Creation Course" of the Kyoto Economic Gardening Support Program, organized by the Kyoto Industry Support Organization 21. Under this project, Elcyo will develop VR content that simulates eye diseases to raise awareness about eye health.
With the support from these two programs, Elcyo is committed to further advancing solutions for eye-related challenges and improving the quality of life (QOL) for people worldwide.
Grant Overview from the Ichimura Foundation for New Technology
Project Title:
“Development of Autofocal Glasses with Liquid Crystal Lenses for Presbyopia”
Background:
As people age, everyone eventually experiences presbyopia, which limits the ability to shift focus between near and far objects. This often requires the use of two or three pairs of reading glasses or bifocal lenses, both of which are inconvenient. Switching between glasses can be a hassle, and wearing lenses with incorrect prescriptions can accelerate the deterioration of vision. Moreover, bifocal lenses have narrow fields of view, posing a risk of falls, and can even contribute to cognitive decline due to obstructed vision. Despite these challenges, no comprehensive solution currently exists to address these issues.
To solve this problem, Elcyo is developing Autofocal Glasses with a wide field of vision that automatically adjusts focus. Since its founding in 2019, the company has focused on developing a prototype that allows manual adjustment of focus as a precursor to fully automated Autofocal Glasses.
Development Details:
The grant will support the development of eye-movement sensing technology, a critical component for achieving automatic focus adjustment, and the creation of a prototype.
This effort will establish the key technologies needed for autofocal functionality, including a custom-built hardware system that tracks eye movements and a data analysis algorithm that assesses whether the user has a clear view. Additionally, the prototype will be designed to incorporate the necessary circuitry within the frame, making it practical for everyday use.
Notification Page:
About the Ichimura Foundation for New Technology:
Grant Overview from the Kyoto Economic Gardening Support Program
Project Title:
“Exploring Potential Markets Through Health Education to Extend Eye Health Lifespan – Ensuring Clear Vision in the 100-Year Life Era”
Background:
In today’s digital world, extended use of smartphones and computers is causing eye fatigue, myopia, and early-onset presbyopia, particularly among younger generations. However, this issue has not been widely recognized, and few people take proper care of their eyes from a young age.
In Japan’s super-aging society, the number of people who need support for presbyopia is expected to rise. However, it can be difficult for younger people to understand the challenges faced by those with presbyopia, potentially leading to communication gaps in caregiving situations. Elcyo believes that understanding presbyopia is essential to addressing the societal challenges posed by aging.
Development Details:
As part of this project, Elcyo will develop VR content that simulates various eye conditions. By allowing people to experience these conditions firsthand, the company aims to raise awareness about eye health and provide insights into the daily lives of those with presbyopia. This VR content will also be showcased at the Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025.
Expo Information:
- Location: Osaka Healthcare Pavilion “Exhibition Zone”
- Exhibition Dates: June 3–9, 2025
For business inquiries or media requests, the VR content can be previewed at Elcyo’s facilities before its official release. Interested parties are invited to contact us through the information below.
Contact Form: https://elcyo.com/contact
Email: contact@elcyo.co.jp
Notification Page:
About the Kyoto Economic Gardening Support Program:
About Elcyo
Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Osaka University, Elcyo is dedicated to developing Autofocal Glasses that automatically adjust focus based on daily activities and visual needs, all with the mission of improving eye health.
Elcyo’s Autofocal Glasses are uniquely designed to be thinner, offer a wider field of vision, and support a broad range of prescription adjustments compared to other products on the market. Users with presbyopia or other eye conditions can enjoy clear vision with just one pair of glasses, eliminating the need to switch between multiple pairs. Elcyo’s lens technology also has potential applications in the XR field, particularly for visual adjustment, garnering interest from related industries.
Elcyo continues to push forward with its business development to solve eye-related challenges and improve quality of life through innovative solutions.
Recruitment
To accelerate the research and development of Autofocal Glasses, Elcyo is expanding its team.
Open Positions:
- Experience in liquid crystal product development
- Experience in designing optical products (microscopes, digital cameras, etc.)
- Ability to assist with experiments (lens performance evaluation, etc.)
- Experience with machine learning and optical evaluation program development (Python)
- Ability to create CAD drawings (C#)
If you're interested in joining our team, please contact us via the form below:
Company Information
- Company Name: Elcyo Co., Ltd.
- CEO: Sunri Lee
- Founded: April 25, 2019
- Location: Kyoto University Katsura Venture Plaza, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto
- Employees: 13 (including part-time and contract staff)
- Capital: JPY 8,980,000
- Website: https://en.elcyo.com/
Contact For inquiries about purchasing Fresnel Liquid Crystal Lenses or collaborating on research and development, please contact us: Contact Form: https://en.elcyo.com/recruit
Email: contact@elcyo.co.jp