DigiLens, a display technology firm, has generated $22 million in capital to create a better AR display which will show information on top of transparent glass.
The announcement also shared that they had brought aboard partners including Sony, Foxconn, Continental, and Panasonic.
The company specializes in waveguide display technology that utilizes lenses with etched structures that capture and diffract light projected at the edge of the glass. DigiLens wants to improve upon this with “eyeglass-thin” displays.
Waveguide allows for manufactures to build thinner displays that “bend” light towards the eye based on the lens distortion, however DigiLens will allow the process of manufacturing significantly cheaper according to them.
Wide acceptance of headset AR display is still several years away from being common in the consumer market, so DigiLens is looking at implementing their technology in different areas that it can also be beneficial.
Vehicle use is a big part of what the company is looking at as how to incorporate their heads-up displays. Through use of waveguide displays, a wider field of view across the windshield would be achievable without any additional setup on the dashboard.
DigiLens is also looking at bringing waveguide technology to motorcycle helmets. They have already partnered up with BMW to show off concepts of what can be done with a helmet based HUD.
AR is still a very new market that has not been widely adopted in the consumer market but with technology companies advancing and improving optics, it is only a matter of time before we all are enjoying the ultra slick and cool heads-up display daily.
