Elcyo Selected for NEDO's "SBIR Promotion Program" to Develop Autofocal Glasses for Seniors

- Revolutionizing Vision Care with Autofocal Reading Glasses for Enhanced Comfort and Safety -
Kyoto, Japan – Elcyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nishikyo, Kyoto; CEO: Sunri Lee), a pioneering company developing "Autofocal Glasses" equipped with liquid crystal lenses, has been selected for the 2024 NEDO SBIR Promotion Program. This program, organized by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), aims to support innovative startups. With this opportunity, Elcyo will advance its R&D efforts to deliver smart reading glasses that automatically adjust focus, addressing critical vision needs and enhancing the quality of life (QOL) for seniors.
 

Project Overview

Project Title: Development of Autofocal Reading Glasses for Enhanced Safety and Comfort in an Aging Society
 
Project Phase:
Phase 1 (Early-Stage R&D: Proof of Concept and Feasibility Study)
 
Project Summary:
With Japan's aging population, the number of individuals suffering from presbyopia and other eye conditions is increasing. Current solutions, such as using multiple pairs of reading glasses or progressive lenses with limited fields of view, often fall short for seniors with physical or cognitive impairments, creating safety concerns and adding strain on caregivers. Elcyo aims to develop the world’s first "Autofocal Glasses," tailored specifically for seniors requiring care. These glasses offer a clear, wide field of vision with automatic adjustment, reducing the need for multiple pairs of glasses. The solution is expected to significantly enhance user comfort and reduce the burden on caregivers, contributing to improved QOL.
 
Notification of Selection:
 
About NEDO’s SBIR Promotion Program:
The SBIR Promotion Program, coordinated by the Japanese Cabinet Office, aims to foster R&D within startups and accelerate the transition of research results into practical applications. For detailed information, visit:

About Elcyo

Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Osaka University, Elcyo is committed to improving eye health with its mission of "Better Vision for a Better Life." Elcyo’s flagship product, the "Autofocal Glasses," dynamically adjusts lens power to match the wearer’s needs in real-time, providing an experience similar to standard eyeglasses but with the added advantage of automatic focus adjustment. The glasses are designed to be thin, offer a wide field of vision, and accommodate a broad range of prescriptions.
Elcyo’s Autofocal Glasses are set to revolutionize vision care for those suffering from presbyopia and eye conditions, freeing users from the hassle of switching glasses. The technology also shows potential for applications in the XR field, and we are actively engaging with partners interested in leveraging our vision adjustment technology.
Elcyo is dedicated to solving vision challenges and enhancing QOL through continuous innovation and development.
 
 

Recruitment

To accelerate the research and development of Autofocal Glasses, Elcyo is expanding its team.

Open Positions:

  • COO Candidates with startup experience
  • Product Development Engineers with expertise in:
    • Liquid crystal product development
    • Optical device design (e.g., microscopes, digital cameras)
    • Machine learning and optical evaluation programming (Python)
    • CAD design and programming (C#) etc.
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: 10 (including 2 executive members)
  • Capital: JPY 8,980,000

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