Page 20 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition March-April 2024

SOUND GLASSES FOR THE immersive events and thrilling

BLIND BAG AWARD content.
Born on Maui’s beaches, Maui
Jim sunglasses protect eyes
A Sydney-based deep-tech assistive technology company, from the island’s harsh rays and
Aria Research, co-founded by Robert Yearsley and Mark Harrison, are the world’s fastest-growing
has received the Australian Technologies Competition (ATC) premium polarized sunglasses
award, for developing a non-invasive wearable device using brand that is sold in over 100
artificial intelligence and machine vision to deliver sight through countries. Red Bull, on the other
sound for blind people. hand, is known for each of its
events that promise excitement
Now in its 13 year, the ATC recognises the talent, intelligence, and innovation, embodying Red
th
and ingenuity that exists in Australia. Aria Research won the Bull’s commitment to pushing
MedTech and Pharma and Overall Winner categories this year. The boundaries in action sports.
ATC received nearly 100 entries out of which Aria was amongst the
21 shortlisted for the award. All the candidates will get a chance to As Maui Jim and Red Bull
connect with investors, mentors and industry experts to enable come together, enthusiasts could
them to grow their projects. look forward to varied co-created
events in the dynamic fields of
The new device was developed in collaboration with University skateboarding and watersports.
of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, Blind Citizens Australia These experiences promise to
and World Access for the Blind Australia, with Australian Federal blend sport, adventure, and
Government support. These are actually glasses that deliver eyewear innovation, offering
a sense of vision to people who are blind, via technologically exhilarating moments for
enhanced human echolocation. athletes and fans alike.

They are presented in the form of smart glasses with inbuilt As this partnership unfolded,
cameras/sensors, speakers and processing, to power and enhance an extraordinary mix of style
blind users’ natural abilities to find and locate objects based on the innovation and adventure
sounds they make by virtually sonifying visible, but ordinarily silent left an indelible mark on the
objects in their surroundings. This is followed by the creation of a worlds of polarized sunglasses
virtual 3D, real-time model of the users’ immediate environment, and sports. Maui Jim and Red
which is used to generate a life-size, real-time audio information Bull’s collaboration signified the
overlay to deliver an analog to the function of vision. convergence of cutting-edge
eyewear and the thrill of action
MAUI JIM AND RED BULL JOIN sports, promising an exciting
journey for those celebrating the
HANDS FOR AN EXCITING THREE- spirit of dynamic cultures.
YEAR PARTNERSHIP

Maui Jim and Red Bull, two global icons synonymous with
innovation, announced a dynamic three-year partnership recently
in Milan. Maui Jim, a premium sunglasses brand, is renowned for
pushing boundaries, seamlessly blending style and performance,
and delivering unparalleled quality. Also celebrated for their
PolarizedPlus2 lens technology, Maui Jim joined forces with Red Bull,
a global leader in action sports and entertainment.
This collaboration sought to marry Maui Jim’s high-performance
sunglasses’ precision and clarity with the energy and excitement
Red Bull brings to action sports. Focused on enhancing experiences
for fans, athletes, and consumers, the partnership is set to span

16 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | MAR-APR 2024 INTERNATIONAL NEWS