What They Say
Volvo Cars has invested in a technology company called Spectralics (not to be confused with, as it was in the original report I saw Spectralis, which does something different!).
Spectralics is developing a see-through optical overlay, also known as a “multi-layered thin combiner,” that can be integrated onto a car’s windshield or windows. Spectralics says this creates a wider field of view and, crucially, a sense of distance. Outside of the vehicle, the tech could also be used for smart glasses, optical systems and other head-up displays.
Spectralics is an alumnus of the MobilityXLab programme in Gothenburg, Sweden and is part of the DRIVE network in Tel-Aviv, Israel.
What We Think
Spectralics said that it uses metamaterials for optics – the topic of my Display Daily last week (Is There Really “No Moore’s Law for Optics”?). However, it’s almost in stealth mode in terms of its technology as far as I could see. In my previous discussions with those developing automotive HUDs, the challenge with using a windscreen as a screen is that they are not that precise or accurate. They are also relatively cheap. Making them more accurate would simply cost too much. Optical solutions have to be able to deal with the windscreens as they are. (BR)
