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Over one-half of Americans weary corrective field glass or contact lens . While there is n’t a dearth of low - cost and sumptuousness frame of reference available online or in stores , consumers can only buy them with a current eyeglass prescription drug .
That stand for they first require a visual sensation examination from an optometrist to receive that prescription . But due to a nationwideshortage of eye concern practitioners , it may take weeks , particularly in rural area , to get an fitting .
Eyebot , a newfangled inauguration make out out of stealth on Thursday , want to tighten the time it take to get a vision examination to about 90 second without the direct involvement of an optometrist . Starting in October , the Boston - based fellowship will roll out its ego - serve , vision - examination terminal in shopping centers , grocery stores and pharmacies in New England .
Anyone who want to have their vision checked can take the air up to Eyebot ’s five - ish - foot kiosk and press a clit , and the company ’s computer vision technology will automatically read the person ’s eyes , extracting the eyeglass or contact lens prescription medicine . ( While Eyebot ca n’t perform initial fittings of physical contact lenses , it can update an existing ethical drug . )
Eyebot ’s founder and CEO Matthias Hofmann said he develop standardized engineering 10 years ago at EyeNetra , a startup that used smartphones totest eyesight . EyeNetra survive out of business several years ago , according to Hofmann , who shape there as the leading engine driver until 2015 .
“ We realize that using smartphones is not in reality the result , ” said Hofmann , who , before unite EyeNetra , was a postdoctoral researcher in mammography at Harvard Medical School . “ What hoi polloi want is a fully automatise experience where they do n’t have to learn or do anything complicated . Our technology now allows people to simply stick out in front of our units . ”
Eyebot - generated prescriptions are settle by teledoctors within 24 hours , and consumers who want to purchase glasses from any retailer must pay $ 30 for an examination . But if they buy crank from one of Eyebot ’s partner brands , the vision exam is liberal . The technology is registered with the FDA , Hofmann aver .
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The troupe hop that major monocle brands will rent Eyebot terminals and put them in the retail locations of their choice . Once a shopper settle their exam , they can choose to bribe monocle from that brand forthwith on a touch screen within the kiosk or by using their smartphone . Eyebot project to make money by partnering with these eyewear mark and taking a commission on each sale .
“ Retailers are expect for fresh channel to reach out the customer , ” Hofmann tell . “ Now they have an chance to show their brand in CVS , Walgreens , Stop and Shop , Kroger and on college campuses . ”
Eyebot is close to settle partnership agreement with several tumid eyeglass and contact lens merchants , Hofmann said . “ It ’s a very lucrative model . The demand for what we ’re doing is very in high spirits . ”
requirement for investing in Eyebot ’s germ rhythm was high , too , grant to Hofmann . On Thursday , the company announced a $ 6 million funding rung led byAlleyCorpandUbiquity Ventureswith engagement fromHumba Ventures , Village Global , Baukunst , Ravelin , andSpacecadet .
The upper-case letter will be used for expansion to other geography .
