Lumus, the developer of geometric (reflective) waveguide technology for augmented reality (AR) eyewear, has been selected by healthtech pioneer Snke as the optical engine partner for its new medical-grade SnkeXR AR glasses, designed specifically for clinical and surgical environments.
The SnkeXR glasses are the first open-platform, medical-grade AR glasses engineered to integrate directly into healthcare devices and workflows. Built for physicians, surgeons, and medical device manufacturers, SnkeXR supports a wide range of clinical applications – from immersive obstetric imaging and surgical planning to interventional cardiology, dental implants, and remote assistance.
“SnkeXR was created to bring AR into the fabric of healthcare – where precision and comfort matter as much as performance,” said Nissan Elimelech, General Manager, Snke XR, a subsidiary of Snke that develops the glasses. “To do that, we needed an optical engine that could deliver uncompromising image quality, brightness, and ergonomics in medical settings. Lumus was the only partner capable of achieving all three – and they’ve been instrumental in bringing our vision to life.”
At the core of SnkeXR’s display technology is Lumus’ geometric waveguide architecture, which combines high resolution (1440 x 1440 pixels), a wide field of view (50°), and brightness (>3,000 nits per watt). These capabilities ensure precise anatomical overlays, true colour fidelity, and consistent visual clarity under surgical-grade lighting.
To translate optical performance into day-long clinical comfort, Snke worked closely with Lumus and its manufacturing partner, Quanta, to design the position of the lens for natural posture and extended wear. Because clinicians often work over reclined patients, SnkeXR features an approximately 33° downward optical tilt that allows physicians to maintain image stability and brightness without neck fatigue – an advantage made possible by the geometric waveguide design unique to Lumus.
“The SnkeXR glasses mark an important milestone in medical-grade AR, and optics are at the core of that innovation,” said Ari Grobman, CEO of Lumus. “By leveraging our geometric waveguide architecture, SnkeXR delivers the brightness, resolution, and field of view that physicians need to work safely and precisely – even under the intense lighting of the operating room. These are performance levels other optics solutions simply can’t match.”
