Engo Eyewear
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| Engo Eyewear | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | AR Glasses |
| Manufacturer | Microoled[1] |
| Release Date | 2021 |
| Price | $397 |
| Website | https://engoeyewear.com |
| Successor | Engo 2 |
| Display | |
| Display | Single AMOLED monocular |
| Resolution | 304x256 (single display)[2] |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 10° diagonal |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Monocular |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy[2] |
| Battery Life | 10-12 hours (manufacturer claim) |
| Device | |
| Weight | 42 g |
| Material | 3D-printed polyamide frame; thermoplastic temples and nose piece |
| Sensors | Gesture sensor, ambient light sensor[2] |
| Input | Touchless hand-wave gesture |
Engo Eyewear is an augmented reality head-mounted display released in 2021. It is a pair of sports sunglasses for cyclists, runners, triathletes and other endurance athletes that shows live performance data, such as heart rate, speed, power and distance, on a small display reflected into the wearer's view.[3] The glasses were the first product of Engo, a brand of the Grenoble, France, microdisplay maker Microoled, and use the company's ActiveLook display technology.[1][3] After the release of the Engo 2 in 2022, Engo's own store listed the original model as "ENGO 1".[4]
Engo announced the glasses in the United States on 2 November 2021 at an introductory MSRP of US$397.[3] The glasses weigh 42 g, and Engo quoted a battery life of up to 12 hours.[5] The display shows its image in grey levels rather than color.[2][6] The glasses work as a head-up display for data from a paired bike computer, GPS watch or smartphone.[3]
Engo followed the original glasses with the Engo 2 in 2022 and the color-display engo3 range in 2026.[7][8] In October 2026 it added the limited-edition engo3 Titanium, a 28.9 g version of the engo3 with a 3D-printed titanium frame.[9][10] As of 14 October 2026, Engo's US online store listed only engo3 models: the engo3, the engo3 Cyclist and the engo3 Titanium, each with a photochromic version.[11]
History
Microoled was founded in 2007 by Eric Marcellin-Dibon, its CEO, and Gunther Haas, its CTO. It makes low-power OLED microdisplays and developed ActiveLook as a head-up display module for sports eyewear.[12] By January 2021, ActiveLook was already built into the Julbo EVAD-1 sports glasses. Microoled showed the module at CES 2021 and said it weighed 9 grams, which it described as the lightest head-up display module on the market.[12] Engo's launch press release states that ActiveLook received an Innovation Award at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2021.[3]
On 27 July 2021 the ActiveLook site introduced Engo as "a new brand of smart eyewear for athletes".[13] An archived copy of the Engo store from August 2021 shows the product listed as "Engo® Eyewear", with six selectable data fields: heart rate, elapsed time, speed, power, distance and elevation.[14] The United States launch press release followed on 2 November 2021, datelined Boston. It named Marcellin-Dibon as Engo's CEO and quoted former professional road cyclist and coach Simon Kessler. A limited-time discount code took a further US$60 off the introductory price.[3][5]
In July 2022 Microoled released ActiveLook 2.0. This version of the platform lets users choose which data the glasses show through Garmin data fields on compatible Garmin watches and bike computers. At the time, ENGO, Julbo and Cosmo sold ActiveLook-compatible glasses.[15] The second-generation Engo 2 went on sale on 5 December 2022 for US$329, at a weight of 36 g.[7]
Design and hardware
Display
ActiveLook is a micro-projection system built into the frame. Microoled's documentation describes three parts: an optical system that projects the image into the user's field of view, a Microoled memory-based microdisplay with a resolution of 304 x 256 pixels and 16 grey levels, and a gesture sensor plus an ambient light sensor.[2] The image is projected through a semi-reflective lens and appears at a distance, and the light sensor adjusts the display brightness automatically.[16] Engo's launch release describes the display as AMOLED microdisplays combined with high-definition optics.[3] According to Engo, as reported by road.cc, the data appears to float about 5.5 feet in front of the wearer.[5] Engo states that the tech package weighs 6 grams, is sweat-proof and sits behind the nose bridge, so the glasses look like an ordinary pair of eyewear from the outside.[4]
Frame and lenses
The frame is 3D printed in polyamide and is impact resistant. The temples and nose piece are flexible thermoplastic and can be adjusted.[3] The lenses are Photochromic NXT lenses, which change tint with the light and give 100% UV protection.[3][5] The ENGO 1 product page lists a lens size of 74 mm, a temple length of 135 mm and a weight of 42 g, and says the box contains a microfiber cleaning cloth and a USB charging cable.[4]
Controls and connectivity
The glasses connect over Bluetooth to bike computers, GPS watches, smartphones and other Bluetooth devices.[3] The ActiveLook protocol runs over Bluetooth Low Energy.[2] Setup takes place in the ActiveLook smartphone app, where users configure data screens, adjust settings and connect sensors.[4] While moving, the wearer switches between data screens by waving a hand in front of the lenses.[3] By November 2022 the ENGO 1 page listed Garmin running watches and cycling computers as compatible, with Suunto and Apple Watch support marked "coming soon".[4]
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Display | Single AMOLED monocular[3] |
| Resolution | 304x256 (single display, 16 grey levels)[2] |
| Field of View | 10° diagonal |
| Sensors | Gesture sensor, ambient light sensor[2] |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy[2] |
| Battery life | 10-12 hours (manufacturer claim)[4] |
| Weight | 42 g[4] |
| Lens | Photochromic NXT, 74 mm lens size[4] |
| Temple length | 135 mm[4] |
| Frame | 3D-printed polyamide; thermoplastic temples and nose piece[3] |
| Price | $397 (introductory MSRP, United States, November 2021)[3] |
Reception
In its 2022 review of the Engo 2, the5krunner wrote that part of the improvement from the first Engo to the second generation was in its looks.[17] In 2024 Marc Vernet, head of the Engo brand at Microoled, told The Connexion: "Most people use them for their basic distance and speed readouts, and for pacing alerts".[1]
Later products and company
Engo followed the original glasses with the Engo 2 in 2022 and the engo3 in 2026.[7][8] The engo3 moved from a monochrome image to a multicolor display that shows metrics in red-to-green zones. It weighs about 38.5 grams and is rated at 20 hours of battery life. It connects over Bluetooth 5.4 and has no camera, microphone or speakers.[6] Screens are switched with a double tap on the temple rather than the hand wave used on the first model.[8][6] A cycling version, the engo3 Cyclist, was announced in September 2026 with alerts from Garmin-compatible bike radars.[18]
| Model | Release | Launch price | Stated weight | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engo (ENGO 1) | November 2021[3] | US$397 (introductory MSRP) | 42 g[5] | Monochrome AMOLED[6] |
| Engo 2 | December 2022[7] | US$329 | 36 g | Monochrome[6] |
| engo3 | 2026[8] | EUR 349.95 (tinted); EUR 399.95 (photochromic) | 38.5 g[6] | Multicolor, red-to-green zones |
| engo3 Cyclist | September 2026[18] | EUR 349.95 / US$399.95 / GBP 299.95 (standard) | Multicolor | |
| engo3 Titanium | October 2026[9] | EUR 599 / US$689.95 / GBP 489.95 (standard); EUR 649 / US$759.95 / GBP 549.95 (photochromic)[9] | 28.9 g[10] | Multicolor[10] |
engo3 Titanium
Some launch coverage in early October 2026 called the model "engo Titanium", while Engo's online store lists it as "engo3 Titanium".[19][9][10] Mac4Ever reported that it went on sale on the brand's website on 6 October 2026.[19] Engo describes it as having the same display, software and compatibility as the standard engo3, with a titanium frame in place of a polymer one. Engo states that the Titanium weighs 28.9 g, compared with 38.5 g for the engo3, and that its battery lasts more than 24 hours per charge, compared with 20 hours for the engo3. A full charge takes less than two hours, according to the store page.[10]
Engo describes the frame as a one-piece structure 3D printed in aerospace-grade titanium, with frame dimensions of 148 mm (width) by 46.8 mm.[10] Launch reports describe 3D-printed titanium temples that adjust horizontally and vertically, along with an adjustable nose bridge.[9][20] Mac4Ever wrote that the temples are designed and 3D printed in titanium in the brand's laboratories in Grenoble, and Auganix reported that the glasses are made and assembled in France.[19][9]
The display is a color OLED head-up display using ActiveLook Light AR technology, which Auganix said is also used in Engo's current engo3 range. It shows more than 40 selectable metrics, such as heart rate, pace and cadence, and heart-rate, pace and power zones in a red-to-green color scale. Users arrange the data screens in a companion app and switch screens with a double tap on the frame.[9][10] An ambient light sensor adjusts brightness. The glasses connect over Bluetooth 5.4, are rated IP55 for sweat and water spray, and work with 81+ Garmin devices (Engo's figure) and, with partial compatibility, the Apple Watch. With a Garmin Varia radar, they show alerts for vehicles approaching from behind.[10] As with the engo3, there is no camera, microphone or speakers. Engo says these were left out to save weight and battery life.[9][10] In the launch announcement reported by Auganix, co-founder Marcellin-Dibon said the design was meant to be light enough that athletes forget they are wearing the glasses.[9]
The engo3 Titanium is a limited edition of 500 numbered units worldwide, which Engo says will not be reissued, and is sold only through Engo's website.[10][9] Auganix gave launch prices of EUR 599, US$689.95 or GBP 489.95 for the standard version and EUR 649, US$759.95 or GBP 549.95 for the photochromic version, in Azure, Silver and Shift variants.[9] On 14 October 2026, Engo's US store listed the standard version at US$689.95 in Silver and Azure, and showed the photochromic version, in Shift, as sold out.[10][21] The French store listed the two versions at EUR 569.95 and EUR 629.95 on the same date.[22]
In Mac4Ever's coverage, Vincent Lautier called the glasses a fine demonstration of French know-how, designed for truly dedicated runners.[19] Journal du Geek wrote that the purchase is much harder to justify for occasional exercisers who only look at their data after a workout.[23]
Company
In July 2026, Auganix reported that ENGO Eyewear, which it described as a Grenoble-based developer of smart sports eyewear, had raised EUR 5.1 million from Ventech, ODYSSEE Venture and Bpifrance Amorçage Industriel. The company said it designs and assembles its eyewear in France and earns 90% of its revenue outside the country. It planned to hire 20 people in France in engineering, software, data and business development roles.[24] Ventech's announcement of the round, datelined Grenoble, 17 July 2026, said ENGO was founded in Grenoble by Marcellin-Dibon, its CEO, and Fabrice Berger Duquene, its COO, and that half of its revenue came from the United States.[25]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Brian McCulloch (2024-08-09). "French company transforms athletic experience with innovative smart glasses". The Connexion. https://www.connexionfrance.com/practical/french-company-transforms-athletic-experience-with-innovative-smart-glasses/666691. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "ActiveLook API Documentation". GitHub. ActiveLook (Microoled). https://github.com/ActiveLook/Activelook-API-Documentation/blob/main/ActiveLook_API.md. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 "Engo Eyewear Unveils Smart Sunglasses Designed to Enhance Athlete Performance". Endurance Sportswire. Engo Eyewear. 2021-11-02. https://www.endurancesportswire.com/engo-eyewear-unveils-smart-sunglasses-designed-to-enhance-athlete-performance/. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 "ENGO 1 - Engo Smart Eyewear EU". Engo Eyewear. Microoled. 2022-11-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20221126214623/https://engoeyewear.com/products/engo-1. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Anna Marie Hughes (2021-11-04). "Engo Eyewear unveils smart sunglasses with lenses displaying real-time data so you can 'keep your eyes on the road'". road.cc. https://road.cc/content/tech-news/engo-eyewears-new-smart-sunnies-real-time-data-lenses-287531. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Josef Erl (2026-04-21). "Engo3: Smart sports glasses with display forgo camera, microphone, and AI". heise online. https://www.heise.de/en/news/Engo3-Smart-sports-glasses-with-display-forgo-camera-microphone-and-AI-11265629.html. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "ENGO Eyewear's ENGO 2, Its Most Lightweight, Technologically Advanced Smart Eyewear for Sports Now Available". PR Newswire. ENGO Eyewear. 2022-12-05. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/engo-eyewears-engo-2-its-most-lightweight-technologically-advanced-smart-eyewear-for-sports-now-available-301680266.html. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Sam Sprigg (2026-04-20). "Engo Launches engo3 AR Sports Glasses with Color HUD for Garmin and Apple Watch". Auganix. https://www.auganix.org/ar-news-engo3-ar-sports-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 Sam Sprigg (2026-10-07). "ENGO Launches engo Titanium, 28.9-Gram AR Smart Glasses for Runners and Cyclists". Auganix. https://www.auganix.org/ar-news-engo-titanium-smart-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 "engo3 Titanium". Engo Eyewear. ENGO. https://us.engoeyewear.com/products/engo3-titanium. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
- ↑ "Engo Eyewear - US online store". Engo Eyewear. ENGO. https://us.engoeyewear.com/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Eliane Fiolet (2021-01-13). "ActiveLook Tiny Head-Up Display Module for Smartglasses". Ubergizmo. https://www.ubergizmo.com/2021/01/activelook-head-up-display-smartglass/. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ "Engo, a new brand of smart eyewear for athletes". ActiveLook. Microoled. 2021-07-27. https://www.activelook.net/news-blog/engo-glasses-a-new-brand-of-smart-eyewear-for-athletes-are-now-on-sale-in-the-united-states. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ "Engo Eyewear". Engo Eyewear. 2021-08-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20210802092319/https://engoeyewear.com/products/engo-eyewear. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ "MicroOLED Achieves Development Milestone, Releases ActiveLook 2.0, Enables Display Customization via Garmin Data Fields in Sports Eyewear". PR Newswire. Microoled. 2022-07-21. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microoled-achieves-development-milestone-releases-activelook-2-0--enables-display-customization-via-garmin-data-fields-in-sports-eyewear-301590620.html. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ "ActiveLook - Technology". ActiveLook. Microoled. https://www.activelook.net/pages/the-tech. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ "the Engo 2 Review - smart glasses Review - Heads Up Display for Running & Cycling". the5krunner. 2022-11-30. https://the5krunner.com/2022/11/30/the-engo-2-review-smart-glasses-review-head-up-display-running-cycling-ukrunchat/. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Sam Sprigg (2026-09-15). "ENGO Announces engo3 Cyclist AR Smart Glasses for Road and Gravel Cyclists". Auganix. https://www.auganix.org/ar-news-engo-engo3-cyclist-ar-smart-glasses/. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Vincent Lautier (2026-10-06). "ENGO Titanium : le contre-pied français aux Ray-Ban Meta, à 599 euros et sans caméra" (in fr). Mac4Ever. https://www.mac4ever.com/arvr/198339-engo-titanium-le-contre-pied-francais-aux-ray-ban-meta-a-599-euros-et-sans-camera. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
- ↑ Sam Davies (2026-10-06). "New ENGO smart glasses feature 3D printed titanium temples". TCT Magazine. https://www.tctmagazine.com/new-engo-smart-glasses-feature-3d-printed-titanium-temples/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
- ↑ "engo3 Titanium Photochromic". Engo Eyewear. ENGO. https://us.engoeyewear.com/products/engo3-titanium-photochromique. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
- ↑ "engo3 Titanium (French store)". Engo Eyewear. ENGO. https://fr.engoeyewear.com/products/engo3-titanium. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
- ↑ Elisa Rahouadj (2026-10-06). "Hyrox, running, cyclisme : ces lunettes connectées affichent vos performances directement devant vos yeux" (in fr). Journal du Geek. https://www.journaldugeek.com/2026/10/06/hyrox-running-cyclisme-ces-lunettes-connectees-affichent-vos-performances-directement-devant-vos-yeux/. Retrieved 2026-10-14.
- ↑ Sam Sprigg (2026-07-23). "ENGO Eyewear Raises €5.1M to Expand AR Sports Glasses Business". Auganix. https://www.auganix.org/ar-news-engo-ar-glasses-5m-funding/. Retrieved 2026-09-27.
- ↑ "ENGO raises EUR 5.1 million to establish its vision for smart sports eyewear". Ventech. Ventech. 2026-07-17. https://ventechvc.com/stories/engo-raises-eu5-1-million-to-establish-its-vision-for-smart-sports-eyewear. Retrieved 2026-10-14.