poLight ASA is bringing its advanced tunable optics technology to center stage at SPIE 2026. The company wants to position itself as a key enabler for the next wave of augmented, mixed, and virtual reality (AR/MR/VR) devices, as well as high‑performance machine‑vision systems.
This blog post takes a closer look at what poLight plans to showcase and why its solid‑state lens solutions could matter for future optical designs across both consumer and industrial markets.
poLight’s Solid‑State Tunable Lenses: A New Approach to Focus
At the heart of poLight’s SPIE 2026 presence is its solid‑state tunable lens technology. These lenses deliver extremely fast, precise focusing in very compact optical modules.
Unlike traditional mechanical autofocus systems, poLight’s tunable lenses use solid‑state actuation. There are no moving mechanical assemblies to worry about.
This approach brings a handful of advantages worth noting:
Enabling Slim and Efficient Optical Stacks
For AR/MR/VR system developers, thick and complex optical stacks are a real pain point. poLight’s tunable lenses help minimize these stacks, creating slimmer modules that shave off weight and bulk near the user’s eyes.
They also help cut power consumption. That’s a big deal for next‑generation headsets and smart glasses that need to be comfortable and energy efficient—otherwise, who’d want to wear them all day?
Targeting Next‑Generation AR, MR, and VR Devices
poLight seems ready to move its technology beyond mobile and into the demanding world of head‑worn optics. AR and MR devices especially need responsive, low‑power focus mechanisms for visual comfort and clarity.
At SPIE 2026, the company wants to show how its tunable optics can tackle these needs in areas like:
Low Power, High Reliability for Wearable Optics
In AR and MR headsets, every milliwatt really does matter. poLight’s focus on low power consumption matches the industry’s push to extend battery life without bulking up devices.
Pair that with solid‑state reliability, and tunable lenses start to look like a smart choice for devices that need to run reliably for years, even in tough conditions.
Industrial and Machine‑Vision Applications
poLight isn’t stopping at AR/MR/VR. At SPIE 2026, it’ll also highlight industrial and machine‑vision use cases.
These environments demand rapid autofocus, high repeatability, and consistent performance for things like inspection, automation, and robotics.
The company plans to show how tunable lenses can boost system performance and simplify design in machine‑vision platforms:
Improving Image Quality While Simplifying Design
poLight’s message is pretty clear: its technology can enhance image quality and reduce system complexity at the same time. By putting focus control into a compact, tunable element, designers can streamline assemblies and reduce tolerance stack‑ups.
This makes for more robust optical modules that are easier to manufacture and maintain, which sounds like a win for everyone involved.
Product Portfolio and Readiness for Volume Deployment
poLight isn’t just showing off a concept. The company’s emphasizing a growing portfolio of tunable lens products it says are ready for commercial deployment at scale.
For device makers, that’s a big deal—nobody wants to bet on experimental prototypes. By heading into SPIE 2026 with this message, poLight’s aiming to position itself as a specialist supplier that can support large‑volume programs across markets, from consumer wearables to industrial automation.
Engaging Device Makers, Integrators, and Partners
SPIE 2026 is shaping up to be a big deal for poLight. They’re planning to connect with device manufacturers, system integrators, and technology partners at the event.
The company wants to highlight its technical skills and years of dedicated work in tunable optics. By doing this, they’re hoping to spark collaborations that could speed up adoption in new product designs.
Tunable, solid-state optics aren’t just a niche thing anymore—they’re becoming real building blocks for future AR/MR devices and industrial vision systems. poLight seems determined to carve out a central spot in this evolving landscape.
Here is the source article for this story: poLight ASA to Highlight Tunable Optics Expertise and Products for AR|MR and Machine Vision at SPIE 2026