News
Dubai Startup Creates Iron Man-Style Smart Contact Lens
XPANCEO’s futuristic eyewear can be controlled using voice, gestures, glances, and “probably later, your mind”, according to the company’s founder.
Dubai-based tech startup XPANCEO has revealed prototypes of its smart contact lens system, which aims to mimic the technology used by Tony Stark in the famous Marvel Iron Man and Avengers movies.
After a seed funding round this October, the company has already raised $40 million and plans to put the device on the market by 2027 if human trials are successful.
Founder Roman Axelrod explained the motivation behind the project, saying, “Now, we have our laptops for the office, smartphones for daily activities, and smartwatches for training … a real computer of the future is an ecosystem of software. Think about it as a Tony Stark computer”.
XPANCEO has built three prototypes, offering an “infinite” extended reality view where tasks from documents, meetings, social media, and gaming will be shown in the user’s field of view and visible only to the wearer.
The lenses are powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning and will also include night vision, voice, gesture, and glance control. Mr. Axelrod even believes that later versions will be controlled by the user’s mind. The company is also developing a charging case similar to those used by wireless earbuds.
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Ultimately, XPANCEO aims to replace all the devices consumers currently use with this hyper-miniaturized gadget. The company has yet to decide on a price for its smart contact lens, but “it has to be no more than an expensive smartphone”, Mr. Axelrod explained.
That would imply a four-figure sum in US dollar terms: for reference, the most expensive version of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is priced at $1,599.
News
NASA Forms New Partnership With Saudi Space Agency
The pair will collaborate on the Center for Space Futures, advancing space tech by bringing together public and private stakeholders.
Saudi Arabia’s space industry is on the brink of substantial expansion after generating $400 million in revenue in 2022, according to a report by the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
Now, in a new venture with NASA, plans for a “Center for Space Futures” are set to further drive the Kingdom’s aspirations of becoming a leading player in space exploration and technology.
Capturing moments from the joint delegation visit with leaders from the Saudi and American Space Agencies @NASA to @PSU_RUH, along with scenes showcasing the audience's engagement. pic.twitter.com/oB1cFTiRNl
— وكالة الفضاء السعودية (@saudispace) May 14, 2024
The partnership between NASA and Saudi Arabia goes beyond economic advantages. The pair have already cooperated on preliminary work for the Artemis II lunar mission, which is slated for a September 2025 launch and aims to land astronauts near the moon’s South Pole.
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During a visit to the capital, Riyadh, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized in a TV interview the broader objectives of the collaboration, which encompass “returning to the moon and then [to] Mars” while utilizing space exploration to glean important insights into climate change. The NASA spokesman also reiterated the space agency’s dedication to collaborating with Saudi Arabia on other future ventures.
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