XPANCEO develops AR contact lens with solid-state microbatteries
Updated
Updated · Road to VR · May 5
XPANCEO develops AR contact lens with solid-state microbatteries
9 articles · Updated · Road to VR · May 5
The UAE-based startup said France's ITEN will supply ceramic microbatteries already in mass production since May 2025 for the proof of concept.
The companies say the batteries could safely deliver milliwatt-level bursts for AR displays and wireless connectivity in ultra-thin, flexible lenses, avoiding leakage, swelling or explosion risks linked to lithium-ion cells.
XPANCEO, founded in 2021, has pursued AR and health-monitoring smart lenses; the partnership follows its $250 million Series A in July 2025, which valued the company at $1.35 billion.
As XPANCEO targets a 2027 prototype, can its battery tech win the race against Apple to define our augmented future?
Now that a safer battery is possible, what is the next great hurdle in making AR contact lenses a practical, everyday reality?
With battery-free lenses already treating diseases, is the all-in-one AR lens the best path or a distraction from simpler, life-saving tech?