Apple and Foxconn are working together to develop a black technology - translucent lenses

According to Patently Apple, Apple is working with Foxconn Technology to develop semi-transparent lenses for its AR devices. These lenses are expected to be used in "Apple Glasses".

Sources revealed that about two months ago, the lens, which is considered one of the most important components of its head-mounted device (ARkit), has passed the prototype stage and entered the trial production stage, but it is still one to two years away from mass production.

People familiar with the matter said Foxconn has spent about three years on AR lens research. This time point also coincided with Apple's acquisition of startup Akonia Holographics in 2018, which used LCD silicon displays and proprietary lenses at the time. However, it was not confirmed whether Akonia's technology was within the scope of the trial production lenses.

The experimental lenses are semi-transparent and polarized lenses made of multiple layers of extremely thin various materials, The Information reported. The lenses must be manufactured in a dust-free clean room and are slightly larger than the lenses in regular glasses. Foxconn has already handed over a production line at its factory in Chengdu, southwest China, to the manufacturer of these lenses. This is the factory where Foxconn is believed to produce most of Apple's iPads. 

Image source: Patently Apple

Apple's latest AR glasses patent was published by the U.S. Patent Office in late June. Apple covered this in a patent titled "Apple's patent illustrates future smart glasses with a modular design that allows users to swap parts for different functions." This is Apple's first patent application illustrating a possible modular approach for its new device, allowing for maximum customization.