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Swave Photonics, the true holographic display company, announced its development of the world’s first 3D holographic display technology for compact extended reality (XR) form factors like smart glasses. Swave’s Holographic eXtended Reality (HXR) establishes a new kind of advanced display technology, producing the world’s smallest pixel with a pixel pitch of less than 300nm — small enough to steer light and sculpt high-resolution images.

The chip-based technology will enable AI-powered spatial computing with a reality-first user experience, where digital elements complement, learn from, and interact with the physical world. The first application for the HXR display technology will be low-cost, light weight, AR smart glasses with all-day battery life.

Using proven non-volatile Phase Change Material (PCM) as a “pixel” on a standard CMOS semiconductor process, Swave’s HXR technology achieves true 3D holography up to 64 gigapixels. The resulting images are realistic and accurately portray an image’s depth in comparison to its surroundings, providing a natural and immersive viewing experience. The chipset is designed to meet all the AR design goals — including size, weight, field of view, and brightness — for next generation glasses, headsets and other form factors.

The company is currently taking orders for HXR development kits for device manufacturers, which will reach customers in the second half of 2024. The development kit provides the hardware and software for companies to design, prototype and test new XR hardware and form factors with the chipset.

The World’s First “True” Dynamic Holographic Display Chips

Swave’s proprietary technology is able to sculpt lightwaves into natural, high-resolution 3D images, achieving true holography through light diffraction and interference. This allows the human brain and eyes to visually process the image naturally without waveguides, varifocal lenses or stereoscopy. The display technology solves the common industry issue of vergence-accommodation conflict, where stereoscopic images distort the relationship between vergence and accommodation reflexes, causing headaches, nausea and fatigue.

“The principles of holography were invented more than 75 years ago, but it has been impossible to realize the full potential of this technology so far,” said Gordon Wetzstein, associate professor at Stanford University. “Swave's technology is the breakthrough this area has been waiting for. The holographic displays developed by Swave will have a transformative impact on information displays for smart glasses and beyond.”

Holographic eXtended Reality Chip and XR Form Factors

Swave’s HXR chip is the first spatial light modulator specifically designed for digital holography and AI-powered spatial computing. The small, lightweight chip will enable compact form factors for everyday use, and will be compatible with an eyeglass prescription. Together, the chip and XR hardware will work seamlessly with AI services like image recognition, visual search, navigation and translation.

By utilizing low-cost CMOS chip technology and efficient system architecture for manufacturing, Swave will provide a cost-effective, scalable, and swift path to commercialization. Swave’s chip manufacturing process uses established semiconductor technology trusted in many everyday technologies, and limits power consumption to avoid constant recharging.

“Today’s spatial computing experiences isolate the user and create mostly digital or unrealistic experiences, let alone an uncomfortable fit or look,” said Swave CEO Mike Noonen. “Swave focuses on reality-first XR where the user sees, for example, 90% reality and 10% augmented images. And by using such a small chipset that delivers a high performance display, our technology obviates the need for bulky headsets or overly conspicuous glasses.”

“By combining material science, semiconductor engineering, and algorithmic expertise, Swave delivers holographic solutions enabling a future where everyone has the power to visualize the world in a new way, and accomplish more. Our goal is to make spatial computing more than just a novelty, but a reality,” continued Noonen.

Swave’s technology has the ability to expand beyond smart glasses, including heads-up automotive displays, and eventually, an immersive holographic display experience without glasses or goggles.

Click here to learn more about Swave's Spatial Computing.