Join us for the fourth session of Deeptech Futures, a monthly series from UCL Engineering, supported by AlbionVC and Cooley LLP, and hosted at IDEALondon.

This time, we’re exploring Smart Glasses: Engineering the Wearable Interface. As AI systems become more context-aware, the “holy grail” is a wearable interface that’s always with you, able to infer where you are, who you’re with, and what you’re doing, and then quietly augment your decisions in real time.

We’ll bring together researchers, founders, and investors to ask: what happens when AI can reliably read context from your point of view, and how do we design hardware, software, and policy so that’s actually useful, safe, and accessible?

What you’ll get out of it

Hear from UCL researchers on the science of context-aware AI and wearable interfaces
Learn how smart glasses can move from speculative deep tech to real applications, with a focus on accessibility and creative industries
Understand how this work connects to creative and cultural technologies
Connect with founders, operators, and ecosystem builders collaborating at the frontier of AI-powered interfaces

Agenda

5:30 pm — Arrival, refreshments & networking
6:00 pm — Panel: Smart Glasses: Engineering the Wearable Interface
6:45 pm — Audience Q&A
7:15 pm — Networking with drinks & snacks provided
8:00 pm — Close

🎤 Speakers:

Anthony Steed - Professor of Virtual Environment and Computer Graphics, UCL Engineering
Mark Portnoi - Nanophotonics Engineer, Specs Inc., Snap Inc.
Costas Kazantzis - Lead Creative Technologist, Fashion Innovation Agency, London College of Fashion, UAL

Moderator: Dr Rob Thompson, Vice-Dean (Enterprise), UCL Engineering

About the series

Deeptech Futures: Conversations at the edge of what's possible, supported by AlbionVC and Cooley LLP, opens the door between research excellence at UCL Engineering and London’s innovation ecosystem at IDEALondon. Each month we explore new themes, from robotics and XR to climate tech and health, designed to spark debate, share insights, and connect people who might just build the next big thing together.

About UCL Engineering

With ten departments spanning activity from cybersecurity to biofuels, synthetic tissues to international trade, UCL Engineering is one of the most diverse Engineering faculties in Europe. As part of UCL, London’s Global University, it crosses boundaries to work with other disciplines, universities, and cultures.

About IDEALondon

IDEALondon is UCL Engineering’s home for ambitious founders in the heart of Shoreditch, run by WilbeLAB. We bring together startups in AI, biotech, fintech, climate, and more, giving founders workspace, community, and direct access to London’s deep-tech and investor network.

Privacy Notice

We occasionally take photos/videos at the event for marketing and socials. As part of attending, your contact details may be shared with our event partners (UCL Engineering, AlbionVC, and Cooley LLP).

If you’d prefer not to have your details shared or photos/videos taken, email idealondon@wilbelab.com.

Smart Glasses Engineering the Wearable Interface @ IDEALondon