Shamir Optical Industry, a world-leading developer of optical lenses and part of EssilorLuxottica, is launching innovative lenses, to add to its better lifestyle line through improved performance lenses. Its new Shamir Driver Intelligence lenses are designed to transform the driving experience to make it safer, more comfortable, and far more visually clear.
Following a period of intensive R&D, with myriad measurements using elements of artificial intelligence (AI), professional driver trials and feedback from Shamir’s optical performance partner, BWT Alpine F1 Team, Shamir developed its driver-dedicated lenses. After being tested on everyday drivers and professional racing drivers, the feedback and lens performance results provided a successful proof of concept.
With a constant focus on improving people’s lives, the new lens development began with Shamir’s decision to address the issue of visual challenges confronting drivers on the road, such as sudden changes in road conditions, varying light intensities from the sun, streetlamps, or oncoming headlights, and the need to keep switching focus from the close vehicle interior to the distant road. Analysis of surveys showed that 1 in 5 drivers suffer from eye fatigue, and 25% of drivers have trouble focusing quickly on varying distances. In addition, modern technology introduces further disturbances to drivers, such as in-car digital screen displays and bright LED lights.
Shamir developed its new driver-dedicated, specially designed lenses based on extensive measurements of head movements and eye-tracking, providing a comprehensive understanding and prediction of driver visual behavior. This enabled them to develop a lens solution providing optimal vision for optimal driving performance, adapted to individual needs and all driving conditions. By applying elements of AI, along with insights from its Alpine partner racing drivers, Shamir invented a lens solution ideally suited to all types of professional and passionate drivers and as well as everyday drivers, to provide them with improved performance and an unparalleled driving experience.
Shamir Driver Intelligence comes as a set of two pairs of glasses, available as Single or Progressive Vision – “Sun” for daylight and “Moon” for night-time driving, in order to provide uncompromised optimal vision for all conditions. The new “Sun” lens for daylight incorporates an advanced filter that enhances colour perception, making colours and objects appear more vivid, similar to the effects of Formula F1 racing helmet visors. It comes in a choice of four tints, and its advanced anti-reflective coating reduces disturbing glare from the sun. The clear “Moon” lens, which is designed for conditions of low-light and night-time driving, with visual age-based myopic shift for improved low-light sharpness, reduces visual noise, eye fatigue, and improves drivers’ reaction times for safer driver performance. Together with their Alpine partners, Shamir have driven innovation in performance lenses to a whole new level by enriching their Big Data set with extensive inputs, insights and data from professional drivers facing extreme road challenges.