Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Vision - Augmented Reality Windshield Display (Next Generation Augmented Reality technology to improve car safety and driving experience)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-02-01 al 2025-07-31
Every 40s 1 driver is killed due to smartphone use while driving. Around the world, distracted driving leads to the death of 1.4 million drivers and +750,000 serious injuries per year. Augmented Reality (AR) can greatly improve driving safety.
Today, AR Head Up Displays (HUDs) are being used in a growing number of cars. However, most AR HUD products do not meet the industrialisation and optical performance requirements of the automotive industry, and fail to unlock the safety benefits of AR.
EyeLights are on a mission to make driving safer and more enjoyable. Our patent-protected technology is based on the optimization of light properties through polarised light guides and diffractive nano materials.
The result is a revolutionary virtual screen which can be projected up to 50m in front of the driver, with the smallest form factor in the market. This will accelerate the adoption of our technology by the automotive industry and increase driving safety.
Today, AR Head Up Displays (HUDs) are being used in a growing number of cars. However, most AR HUD products do not meet the industrialisation and optical performance requirements of the automotive industry, and fail to unlock the safety benefits of AR.
EyeLights are on a mission to make driving safer and more enjoyable. Our patent-protected technology is based on the optimization of light properties through polarised light guides and diffractive nano materials.
The result is a revolutionary virtual screen which can be projected up to 50m in front of the driver, with the smallest form factor in the market. This will accelerate the adoption of our technology by the automotive industry and increase driving safety.
The project pursued two main technical objectives:
-Developing the basis for the design of highly efficient and compact optical engines for head-up displays (HUDs).
-Designing and optimizing the modules required for the software development kit that accompanies the AR HUD.
During the first phase, optical studies enabled us to optimize the contrast ratio and polarization ratio of the generation units, while preserving the gains in brightness and lighting homogeneity made possible by the integration of a nanostructured layer integrated into the projection generation unit with edge-lit backlighting. Further advances included the optimisation of the optical configuration through anti-reflective coatings, light traps, and free-form mirrors. This innovative approach aims to significantly improve sharpness and contrast, particularly in bright light conditions, which represents a major competitive advantage for our product.
In collaboration with AGC, we also developed windscreen coatings compliant with ECE R43 regulations. These polarising treatments improved colour rendering, eliminated ghost images, and ensured compatibility with polarised glasses.
Regarding software developments, initial work demonstrated that the kernel customization and optimization we have carried out on ARM architecture has demonstrated its ability to be linked and to communicate in real-time with the sensors of the vehicle.
Once this initial stage had been completed, we were able to develop object identification modules enabling us to acquire, identify and track objects in real time.
The software implementation we have carried out on ARM architecture has demonstrated its ability to provide an augmented reality rendering which the real environment in real-time.
These advances culminated in the finalisation of SDKs integrating computer vision, AR engine and wireless communication. This innovative solution is interoperable with various hardware environments (NVIDIA, Qualcomm).
We have developed an augmented reality (AR) application that integrates advanced navigation, real-time object detection and eye tracking features for fatigue detection. Real-world testing has shown a reduction in cognitive load and improved responsiveness.
As part of our mechanical integration approach, we have integrated compact HUDs into various types of cockpits, including SUVs, saloon cars and sports cars. This initiative demonstrates the feasibility of the project while preserving the principles of ergonomics and visibility that are at the heart of our concerns.
The project achieved TRL 8 validation, which corresponds to integration and testing on several demonstration vehicles, confirming the robustness and industrial maturity of the project. The IP strategy has been a success. It has enabled us to protect innovations in optics, AR projection and intuitive interaction (eye/head movements) with patents.
-Developing the basis for the design of highly efficient and compact optical engines for head-up displays (HUDs).
-Designing and optimizing the modules required for the software development kit that accompanies the AR HUD.
During the first phase, optical studies enabled us to optimize the contrast ratio and polarization ratio of the generation units, while preserving the gains in brightness and lighting homogeneity made possible by the integration of a nanostructured layer integrated into the projection generation unit with edge-lit backlighting. Further advances included the optimisation of the optical configuration through anti-reflective coatings, light traps, and free-form mirrors. This innovative approach aims to significantly improve sharpness and contrast, particularly in bright light conditions, which represents a major competitive advantage for our product.
In collaboration with AGC, we also developed windscreen coatings compliant with ECE R43 regulations. These polarising treatments improved colour rendering, eliminated ghost images, and ensured compatibility with polarised glasses.
Regarding software developments, initial work demonstrated that the kernel customization and optimization we have carried out on ARM architecture has demonstrated its ability to be linked and to communicate in real-time with the sensors of the vehicle.
Once this initial stage had been completed, we were able to develop object identification modules enabling us to acquire, identify and track objects in real time.
The software implementation we have carried out on ARM architecture has demonstrated its ability to provide an augmented reality rendering which the real environment in real-time.
These advances culminated in the finalisation of SDKs integrating computer vision, AR engine and wireless communication. This innovative solution is interoperable with various hardware environments (NVIDIA, Qualcomm).
We have developed an augmented reality (AR) application that integrates advanced navigation, real-time object detection and eye tracking features for fatigue detection. Real-world testing has shown a reduction in cognitive load and improved responsiveness.
As part of our mechanical integration approach, we have integrated compact HUDs into various types of cockpits, including SUVs, saloon cars and sports cars. This initiative demonstrates the feasibility of the project while preserving the principles of ergonomics and visibility that are at the heart of our concerns.
The project achieved TRL 8 validation, which corresponds to integration and testing on several demonstration vehicles, confirming the robustness and industrial maturity of the project. The IP strategy has been a success. It has enabled us to protect innovations in optics, AR projection and intuitive interaction (eye/head movements) with patents.
Our technology displays all driving data, information from ADAS systems and smartphone content to the windshield. This allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road, while our driver monitoring system (tuned to detect driver fatigue) drastically improve driving safety. Hence, through VISION carmakers get the opportunity to offer their customers unique safety driving features unlocked by VISION’s intuitive AR navigation.
VISION has 15X better optical performance and is brighter (up to 20,000 nits) than state-of-the-art HUDs using LED-backlit technology. Despite the superior performance of our technology, our goal is to commercialise VISION at the same price with existing HUDs (i.e. €200/HUD), drastically improving cost-efficiency for carmakers.
Additionally, VISION consumes less power (less than 1W/inch) compared to existing HUDs, which are power hungry. Hence, VISION’s high energy efficiency will fuel the integration of our HUD into electric vehicles.
Impact on the Market:
VISION technology will be a key enabling technology for the market uptake of autonomous driving. As ADAS systems take control over the car, VISION AR HUD will increase drivers’ understanding of these systems. VISION HUD shows to the driver what the autonomous car is seeing and what it is doing, giving the driver confidence in self-driving cars and the technologies that enable them. Moreover, in the era of autonomous driving in-vehicle convenience is a major driving force. If we are not driving the vehicle, what are we going to do with our time in the vehicles? Through AR, location-specific information and infotainment content (e.g. videos, movies) can be projected onto the windshield or side windows. Hence, our AR platform will unlock many location-based content applications. This will allow Europe to lead the global Mobility as a Service market, which grows at a 31% CAGR and is expected to reach 60B€ by 2030.
The concept of VISION has already been industrialised. The system has been engineered to achieve a substantial reduction in ghost images, while maintaining class-leading optical performance. The system has achieved TRL 8, indicating its maturation and proximity to large-scale deployment. The possession of a robust portfolio of patents serves to safeguard innovation, while the receipt of preliminary requests for quotations (RFQs) from prominent global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) serves to substantiate commercial traction. The cost of the units is comparable to that of current HUDs (~€200/unit), and the energy efficiency of the units means that they can be integrated seamlessly into EVs. This means that mass-market adoption is a realistic prospect. In addition to facilitating safer driving and fostering autonomous trust, VISION paves the way for novel infotainment and location-based content services, thereby reinforcing Europe's preeminence in the rapidly expanding Mobility-as-a-Service market.
VISION has 15X better optical performance and is brighter (up to 20,000 nits) than state-of-the-art HUDs using LED-backlit technology. Despite the superior performance of our technology, our goal is to commercialise VISION at the same price with existing HUDs (i.e. €200/HUD), drastically improving cost-efficiency for carmakers.
Additionally, VISION consumes less power (less than 1W/inch) compared to existing HUDs, which are power hungry. Hence, VISION’s high energy efficiency will fuel the integration of our HUD into electric vehicles.
Impact on the Market:
VISION technology will be a key enabling technology for the market uptake of autonomous driving. As ADAS systems take control over the car, VISION AR HUD will increase drivers’ understanding of these systems. VISION HUD shows to the driver what the autonomous car is seeing and what it is doing, giving the driver confidence in self-driving cars and the technologies that enable them. Moreover, in the era of autonomous driving in-vehicle convenience is a major driving force. If we are not driving the vehicle, what are we going to do with our time in the vehicles? Through AR, location-specific information and infotainment content (e.g. videos, movies) can be projected onto the windshield or side windows. Hence, our AR platform will unlock many location-based content applications. This will allow Europe to lead the global Mobility as a Service market, which grows at a 31% CAGR and is expected to reach 60B€ by 2030.
The concept of VISION has already been industrialised. The system has been engineered to achieve a substantial reduction in ghost images, while maintaining class-leading optical performance. The system has achieved TRL 8, indicating its maturation and proximity to large-scale deployment. The possession of a robust portfolio of patents serves to safeguard innovation, while the receipt of preliminary requests for quotations (RFQs) from prominent global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) serves to substantiate commercial traction. The cost of the units is comparable to that of current HUDs (~€200/unit), and the energy efficiency of the units means that they can be integrated seamlessly into EVs. This means that mass-market adoption is a realistic prospect. In addition to facilitating safer driving and fostering autonomous trust, VISION paves the way for novel infotainment and location-based content services, thereby reinforcing Europe's preeminence in the rapidly expanding Mobility-as-a-Service market.