In a significant boost to the smart eyewear sector, IXI, a Finnish startup specializing in autofocus prescription glasses, has secured $36.5 million in Series A funding. The investment round was led by London-based Plural and saw participation from a consortium of investors including Amazon's Alexa Fund, marking a pivotal moment for the company's ambitious product development plans.

IXI's innovative approach leverages liquid crystal lens technology paired with eye-tracking sensors to dynamically adjust the glasses' focus based on the user's vision impairment. This technology not only promises to enhance the user experience by providing optimal vision in various situations but also positions IXI as a frontrunner in the race to redefine eyewear as a tech-enhanced lifestyle accessory rather than a mere medical device.

The startup, founded in 2021 by CEO Niko Eiden and Chief Algorithm Officer Ville Miettinen, aims to address the limitations of traditional lenses, which often fail to accommodate varying distances and narrow fields of view. With the latest funding, IXI is poised to accelerate the development of its first-generation product, targeting a market ripe for innovation and eager for solutions that blend cutting-edge technology with elegant design.

While the exact price point of IXI's autofocus glasses remains undetermined, the company has indicated that the product will be positioned within the high-end consumer electronics segment, akin to smartphones. As IXI moves closer to unveiling a lab-ready prototype later this year, the eyewear industry watches closely, anticipating the potential disruption this technology could bring to the global market.

Norwegian authorities are investigating an incident where a man suspected of attempted murder was injured during his arrest on the E18 highway in Sandefjord. The Special Unit for Police Matters has launched a mandatory investigation after the suspect sustained a fracture injury while being apprehended by police officers. Evidence from the scene has been secured as part of the probe into the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

The investigation stems from events that began Saturday evening when a woman was shot at a private address in the Unneberg area north of Sandefjord city center. The suspect fled the scene on an electric scooter following the shooting incident, which occurred around 3 PM. Police established a roadblock on the E18 highway as part of their response to the shooting.

The suspect was apprehended at approximately 7:45 PM at the police roadblock, during which he sustained injuries described as a fracture. While the extent of his injuries remains unclear, the Special Unit has initiated its investigation to clarify the sequence of events and circumstances leading to the injury. Both the suspect and the involved police officers will be interviewed in the coming days as part of the mandatory review process.

The man, who has provided an initial statement to police, has been formally charged with attempted murder and was remanded in custody by the Vestfold District Court on Monday morning. Police indicate the suspect and victim were acquainted but did not have a close relationship. The woman who was shot did not sustain life-threatening injuries, though her exact condition remains unknown as authorities continue their parallel investigations into both the shooting incident and the arrest-related injury.