Jaguar Land Rover

Can Computer-Generated Holography Compete in the Automotive Space?

True 3D display technologies such as light field displays and computer-generated holography are awaited with great expectation and multiple companies are working to make this technology a reality. The challenges associated with these display technologies, however, are extensive and it will take some years to see these 3D images delivered to consumers. This is not true, however, with regards to computer-generated holography. While it remains currently unsuitable for most applications, several companies have been successful in advocating its usage in automotive heads-up displays (HUDs). Its multiple depths and high brightness make it an exceptionally good competitor in this space and companies such as Envisics, Continental, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, WayRay and Ceres Holographics could be on the cusp of developing something truly unique.

Envisics

Founded in January 2018, from an augmented reality wearables parent company, DAQRI, Envisics has grown in the heads-up display (HUD) space, being valued more recently at US$500M with investments from large OEMs such as Hyundai Mobis, Stellantis, GM Ventures or Inmotion Ventures from Jaguar Land Rover. With research that spun out of the University of Cambridge, Envisics has evolved significantly, bringing this solution to the automotive industry. Led by Dr Jamieson Christmas, Envisics is bringing holographic displays to augmented reality HUDs (AR-HUDS) and providing full depth planes to images projected ahead of the driver.

Nodar: Untethered Stereo Camera With LiDAR-Like Performance

Stereo cameras have been used in the automotive industry before, with a handful of examples. But so far these have needed to be physically linked with rigid connections, locking the cameras in position so that they stay calibrated. Nodar brings a unique algorithm which dynamically calibrates the stereo system, negating the need for stiff connections between the camera and allowing much wider mountings and much more accurate distancing.

Wolfspeed: Major SiC Supply Deals

Wolfspeed (formerly Cree) is a US semiconductor manufacturer which develops 650V, 1200V, and 1700V silicon carbide MOSFETs for the automotive and industrial sector.

Wireless Charging to Pull the Plug on Charging Stations

The development of wireless charging systems for electric vehicles (EVs) has slowly picked up momentum over the past decade. This charging solution relies on the principle of resonant inductive coupling to achieve wireless power transfer (WPT) from a ground-based pad to a vehicle-fitted pad. Drivers should simply align their vehicles with the ground pad for charging to begin automatically, eliminating the need to plug in.

Momentum Dynamics (InductEV)

Momentum Dynamics designs and manufactures high power wireless charging systems for commercial fleets. IDTechEx spoke to Senior Consultant Gabriel Samuelsson, who highlighted the technical innovations and deployment strategy for its system.