Swarovski Optik has launched the AX Visio, which it says is the world’s first binoculars with built-in artificial intelligence. The Austrian optics company developed the device over five years with industrial designer Marc Newson, whose work has included products for Apple and other luxury brands.
The binoculars let a user point at a bird or animal and identify the species within seconds using an onboard processor, without any internet connection. Swarovski says the system can recognize more than 9,000 bird species and additional animals in real time.
Beyond identification, the AX Visio includes a 13-megapixel camera for still photos and Full HD video. A dedicated app can transfer files to a smartphone, share them, and update the device’s AI capabilities.
One of its most notable features, called “Share Discoveries,” uses GPS to mark the exact location of a rare animal. Another AX Visio user can then follow arrows on the display to the same spot. Optically, it is a professional 10x32 binocular with 10x magnification and a wide field of view, and Swarovski says it remains a premium product even without the AI functions. At launch, it sold for about 4,600 euros, more than $5,000, making it one of the most expensive binoculars sold to the public.