engo on TF1 : Inside our technology

This Sunday morning, TF1 came to meet us in Grenoble to discover behind the scenes at engo and explore our smart eyewear technology designed for athletes.

As part of a report dedicated to French innovation, the TF1 team followed our glasses in action and took a closer look at how they are developed at our Grenoble facilities.

Run without taking your eyes off your data

The report begins out in the field, during a running session.

Through our glasses, Jean-Christophe can see his speed, heart rate, and running time, thanks to data transmitted from his watch.

“Everything you see on the watch is displayed on my glasses.”

Normally, checking this information means raising your wrist and looking at your watch. With engo, the data is directly accessible in your field of view.

As Jean-Christophe points out during his test, knowing exactly what pace you are running at can also be a great source of motivation.

Technology developed in Grenoble

The report then heads to our facilities in the heart of Grenoble, where our technology comes to life.

TF1 meets one of our designers, who also uses the glasses during his own training sessions. After getting back into sport a year and a half ago, he has notably seen an improvement in his heart rate.

At engo, sport is therefore an integral part of both the development and use of our products.

37 Grams vs. 67 : When weight makes a difference

To better understand our approach, TF1 focused on one essential factor : weight.

The report compares a pair of American smart glasses weighing 67 grams with our 37-gram glasses a difference of 30 grams.

Whether running or cycling, a few extra grams can quickly become noticeable. As explained in the report, above 40 grams, glasses can become too heavy for certain sports.

This reduced weight is also the result of a deliberate choice: our glasses are not designed to film. We chose to focus on what matters to athletes : displaying performance data in real time while keeping the glasses lightweight.

The report also highlights their price, at around €350 on average, positioning them below some of the competing smart glasses featured.

Behind the scenes of our glasses

TF1 also stepped inside our production area.

In a dust-controlled room designed to protect the optical components, an essential part of our glasses is assembled with precision.

Our lenses come from Italy and our temples from Asia, but our display and projector are designed and assembled here in Grenoble.

This is a source of real pride for our team, as Jérôme explains in the report :

“Long live France ! There’s a certain pride, a certain recognition. We’re just as capable as anyone else.”

Once the hardware is ready, our development teams take over to integrate the applications needed to power our glasses.

From running to cycling… and even sailing

Our technology isn’t limited to running.

In the report, Eric also presents a mask designed for sailing, allowing sailors to access their performance data in real time aboard racing boats.

Running, cycling, sailing: the terrain may change, but our goal remains the same to give athletes access to their data during their activity without taking their attention away from what’s ahead.

Today, we sell around 10,000 glasses per year, with a team of just 25 people.

And we have one ambition : to continue developing this technology and help even more athletes around the world, whatever their sport or terrain.

Thank you to TF1 for coming to Grenoble to meet our teams and discover what goes on behind the scenes at engo.