Vuzix 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 the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Under this DAF funded program, Vuzix will begin developing and supplying innovative waveguide and HMD capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
"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 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 US DOD branches."
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About Vuzix Corporation
Vuzix is a leading 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 that offer users a portable high-quality viewing experience, provide solutions for mobility, wearable displays and augmented reality, as well OEM waveguide optical components and display engines. 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. Moviynt, an SAP Certified ERP SaaS logistics solution provider, is a Vuzix wholly owned subsidiary. The Company has won Consumer Electronics Show (or CES) awards for innovation for the years 2005 to 2024 and several wireless technology innovation awards among others. Founded in 1997, Vuzix is a public company with offices in: Rochester, NY; Munich, Germany; and Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan.
About Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed 4,697 contracts worth more than $2.6 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability.
