Kinestral Technologies recently unveiled the first installation of its new Halio smart-tinting glass at Alexandria Real Estate Equities’ office in San Francisco.
Kinestral Technologies recently unveiled the first installation of its new Halio smart-tinting glass at Alexandria Real Estate Equities’ office in San Francisco.
Halio is a responsive smart-tinting glass that can transition from clear to dark within seconds. It reduces the sun’s glare while preserving a view and gives users control over their indoor environments while reducing a building’s energy needs.
At Alexandria’s San Francisco office, Halio replaced the conventional glass in a large central skylight over the employee lounge to reduce the intensified heat caused by the sun’s beams. Halio was also installed in two of the meeting rooms, creating glass walls that when darkened, become partitions that deliver privacy on demand, enhance LCD screen viewability, and minimize unwanted attention from passersby.
At Alexandria’s office, Halio is controlled by voice commands and a manual switch. Halio can also be programmed to automatically clear and tint based on the weather and user lifestyles or preferences. It’s also designed to get “smarter” over time, adapting and responding to users’ needs.
Alexandria builds and manages upscale workspaces, and the fact that it adopts Halio is a testimony to the smart-tinting glass’ quality, Kinestral said, adding that the product is also ideal for creating flexible, interior spaces that provide privacy on command.
Kinestral has partnered with G-Tech Optoelectronics Corporation (GTOC), a subsidiary of the Foxconn Technology Group, to begin mass production of Halio. Under the agreement, the two companies will convert an existing GTOC touch panel manufacturing facility in Taiwan to produce Halio, representing a total investment of approximately $100 million over two phases.