CES 2026 does not officially open until Tuesday, but early previews are already underway in Las Vegas at CES Unveiled. Among the robots, smart cameras, and AI-powered gadgets, a new kind of sunglasses drew attention on the show floor.
Povec Optics is showing the Povec C1, which cofounder Alexis Marc Pons describes as the world’s first electrochromic sunglasses. The sports-focused eyewear can shift from tinted to clear in an instant, controlled directly by the wearer.
Instead of swapping lenses or using clip-on attachments, users adjust the tint by sliding a finger along a touch-sensitive panel on the frame. The tint level changes immediately, offering on-demand control over how dark the lenses appear. The frames follow a wraparound sports style and are expected to be available in multiple colors.
The underlying electrochromic technology was originally developed for automotive applications, including use in the Audi E5 Sportback, according to a Povec Optics representative. The company sees clear potential for outdoor athletes such as cyclists, skiers, runners, and boaters, who often move between bright sun and shaded environments.
- Power: The sunglasses charge via USB-C.
- Battery life: Povec Optics says they can run for about 28 days between charges.
- Launch window: Targeted for May 2026.
- Price: Expected to range from $250 to $350, positioning them in the designer eyewear segment.
Povec Optics is not alone in exploring user-controlled tint. Similar smart sunglasses from Chamelo Eyewear were demonstrated at last year’s CES, offering lenses that could change both their tint and color. Chamelo’s product is already on the market, setting up potential competition once Povec’s glasses arrive.
The Povec C1 aims to bring a visually striking, practical feature to everyday sports eyewear rather than a showy, one-off tech demo. The company is building toward its planned launch later this year, with updates shared via its social channels.
Mashable is reporting live from CES 2026, covering the latest news, product debuts, and trends from the show floor in Las Vegas.