TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Lipro Vision Co. is targeting the outdoor sports market with augmented reality glasses that address short battery life and bulky design.

Founder and CEO Lin Yuan-po (林淵博) said wearables often fail under intense sunlight, per CNA. An experienced triathlete, he added that they drain too quickly in long races and force athletes to look down, raising the risk of accidents.

“In competitive sports, glasses are already standard for eye protection,” the former Industrial Technology Research Institute researcher explained. “If they can also display key information, stylishly and practically, people will want them.”

Founded in April last year, Lipro developed the Metalens Optical Engine which combines metalens nanostructures with micro LED displays. The system projects images directly onto the retina, removing dizziness while boosting brightness above 4,000 nits and extending battery life beyond 10 hours.

Unlike conventional AR glasses that rely on side projection, Lipro’s technology keeps information clear without obstructing the user’s view. It also reduces module size and weight, giving athletes a streamlined design that can be worn comfortably during long events.

The company has drawn recognition at home and abroad. It won the Future Star Award at InnoVex 2023 and was later chosen for the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Tree Landing Program, which sent 10 startups to Stanford University for training.

Lipro also joined the SelectUSA Investment Summit, exploring expansion opportunities. Lin said exposure to US entrepreneurship reinforced his belief that passion and practicality must drive product development.

Looking ahead, the company sees sports as the first step, with applications in construction, navigation, and teleprompting.