Plastic Waveguide Innovation Drives Development of Everyday AR Glasses in Japan

• Cellid’s mass-produced plastic waveguides will power new AR glasses developed in collaboration with jig.jp and eyewear maker Boston Club.
• The glasses aim to support daily use with planned features like AI translation, notifications, and an AI assistant.

Cellid Inc. has announced a joint development initiative with software company jig.jp and eyewear designer Boston Club to produce AR glasses optimized for daily wear. The product will incorporate Cellid’s proprietary plastic waveguides, the only mass-produced model in Japan, and is scheduled to launch in April 2026. The glasses are designed in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, known for its optical craftsmanship.

The upcoming glasses are designed for daily wear. Cellid’s waveguide modules are described as thin and lightweight, enabling a form factor similar to standard eyeglass lenses. They plan to provide wearers with AI-powered translation, a teleprompter function, real-time notifications, and access to a generative AI assistant. App-based features are under development to enhance daily use.

Cellid plans to scale production through manufacturing partnerships, including with the Foxconn Group. The companies expect to first target the Japanese market before expanding globally, positioning the product as a “Japan-born” AR solution with a consumer-ready form factor.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

Combining Boston Club frames with Cellid’s mass-produced plastic waveguides could be the hardware edge for this pair against a growing category of connected eyewear.

Source: PR Newswire / Cellid