Optics Balzers, WaveOptics Partner for Near-Eye Display Applications

Optical coating and component developer Optics Balzers AG and diffractive waveguide developer WaveOptics are collaborating to industrialize diffractive waveguide manufacturing for near-eye display applications.

The companies aim to scale up the production of high-quality waveguides for augmented reality (AR) glasses. AR glasses enable users to see computer-generated imagery overlaid onto the real world. This partnership will enable the mass-market adoption of AR.

"Our collaboration makes it possible to implement high-performance AR consumer applications at the lowest cost available today," said Alex Vogt, CEO of Optics Balzers.

WaveOptics has developed an optical solution for AR devices that provides full color, high FOV (field of view), and lower cost, along with scalable manufacturing processes. Optics Balzers, as a partner for industrialization of optical key components, supports WaveOptics in further developing the technology and can help establish mass production.

“This partnership will allow us to leverage Optics Balzers expertise in optical coatings and solutions," said David Hayes, CEO of WaveOptics, "which will allow us to mass manufacture our waveguides at scale, at the lowest cost in the industry today.”