Lumus gained significant visibility after its waveguide technology was chosen for the Meta Ray-Ban Display eyewear. However, that achievement now appears dated, as the firm presented its cutting-edge elements at CES 2026. From my observations, these advancements position Lumus to substantially improve the visual performance of upcoming premium smart glasses.
The Meta Ray-Ban Display models impressed audiences upon release and remain among the few smart glasses offering a color in-lens projection with a minimum 20-degree viewing angle. Yet, details from Lumus's recent waveguide designs indicate substantial enhancements ahead for forthcoming devices.
The initial prototype I tested incorporated Lumus's refined Z-30 waveguides, delivering a notably broader 30-degree field of view while weighing 30 percent less and measuring 40 percent slimmer compared to earlier versions. Additionally, Lumus reports greater energy savings, with the components achieving over 8,000 nits per watt. This matters greatly since battery constraints currently restrict smart glasses, particularly for compact, all-day wearables. During my trial, the Z-30s impressed me with their vivid illumination and clarity, even at 720 x 720 pixel resolution. The expanded viewing area felt far more expansive than the mere 10-degree gain, and hues, including whites—which are tough to render accurately—appeared exceptionally vibrant.
That said, the Z-30 demo did not prepare me for Lumus's 70-degree field of view waveguides. After watching videos and sample images, I was astonished by the extensive coverage, occupying nearly the full central lens area with only minor unused sections at the edges. I observed some barrel-like warping on the display's borders, but a company expert explained that software adjustments could eliminate it in consumer versions. Without doubt, these waveguides delivered among the clearest, most luminous, and visually superior results from any smart glasses, whether commercial or experimental. It prompted me to wonder about optimal viewing angle limits for such devices, though I believe further expansion still holds value before benefits plateau.
Lumus's geometric reflective waveguide design offers superior energy performance over refractive alternatives and enables direct attachment to smart glass lenses. This allows integration with photochromic lenses, avoiding the need for add-on sun shields in bright conditions, unlike many competitors. The firm also states that its approach streamlines production, yielding slimmer profiles (down to 0.8mm) and improved output rates.
Capturing clear images of smart glass projections proves difficult, especially with fragile prototypes, so trust my account for the moment. As Lumus scales manufacturing of these waveguides alongside collaborators like Quanta and SCHOTT, numerous smart glass developers are likely to pursue them amid growing enthusiasm for the sector's anticipated breakthrough.