Eyewear company Chamelo has come up with its new sunglasses, featuring lenses that change colour or transparency with a simple tap.
The company has introduced two revolutionary types of lenses: Dusk and Prismatic. The Dusk lenses, designed for Wayfarer-like retro frames, switch between various levels of tint in a mere 0.1 seconds, which is 1,800 times faster than traditional photochromic glasses. This rapid transition is perfect for those moments when you need to quickly avoid someone’s gaze. Users can also adjust the tint to a gradient of their choosing, providing flexibility in appearance and functionality.
The tint is achieved through a liquid crystal lens layer that changes transparency based on an electrical current. This allows the wearer to adapt to different lighting conditions, reducing tint indoors and maximizing it in bright daylight. Adjustments are made easily with a tap on the glasses’ arm touch band.
For those seeking more than just tint adjustments, Chamelo’s Prismatic lenses offer color-changing capabilities. Next month, the company will release a limited edition of 1970s-inspired Euphoria frames, with lenses that shift through warm clear, yellow, orange, and pink. Priced at $385, these are not budget sunglasses but are effectively four pairs in one. For the same price, the rimless Aura shades provide a different colour spectrum, transitioning between cool clear, blue, purple, and ruby.
The potential applications of this technology are vast. Beyond fashion, Chamelo’s innovation could be scaled to car windows, home windows, and glass partitions, offering dynamic light control in various environments. As Chris Ballance, co-founder and CEO of Oxford Ionics, noted in a related context, “From the outset, we have taken a ‘rocket ship’ approach – focusing on building robust technology by solving the really difficult challenges first.”
With prices ranging from $300 to $375 for the tinting Dusk glasses and $580 for the colour-changing Aura shades, Chamelo’s eyewear represents a significant investment. However, the innovative capabilities and potential future applications make these sunglasses a compelling choice for tech-savvy consumers and fashion enthusiasts alike.