IRVINE, Calif. – Karma Automotive and WayRay announced today the companies will be collaborating to integrate an innovative, new form of Augmented Reality (AR) Head-Up Display (HUD) technology in a fleet of future Karma vehicles.
The WayRay True Augmented Reality (True AR) and Deep Reality Display® technology enable the generation of virtual images at any distance and on multiple depth planes. Images are generated by projecting a red-green-blue (RGB) laser beam through a Picture Generating Unit (PGU) onto a Holographic Optical Element (HOE). The HOE is placed inside a transparent surface, commonly a car’s windscreen or side window.
Drivers receive relevant information and alerts without having to take their eyes off the road, whereas passengers can enjoy animated Points of Interest along the way. All objects are rendered in real time by the AR Rendering Engine (ARRE).
“WayRay’s technology will make driving vehicles safer, more informative and entertaining,” said Shen Zhang, Vice President, Electrical and Electronics Engineering for Karma Automotive. “Safety, design and integration are our main priorities and this innovative technology delivers on all counts.”
WayRay’s customizable projection system offers an unparalleled Field of View, vibrant image colors, and will be customized and integrated into a fleet of Karma test vehicles but is also compact enough to fit into cars of any size.
“I am thrilled to announce this new arrangement between WayRay and Karma Automotive,” said founder and CEO of WayRay Vitaly Ponomarev. “We will supply Karma with the latest iteration of our WayRay True AR™ Head-Up Display technology and support them with the implementation into their engineering test fleet, offering the driver a window into a never-before-seen blend of the virtual and the real world.”
While this announcement is specific to Karma Automotive passenger vehicles, other possible applications for Holographic AR technology can also be integrated into transportation, infrastructure, heavy machinery, and gaming applications.
