Partners Fortify Relationship on Plastic Waveguides for XR Glasses

DigiLens Inc., a developer of holographic waveguides for augmented extended reality (XR) displays, is deepening its partnership with Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. (MCC) to bring to market the first-ever plastic waveguides for XR glasses at a performance, cost, and scale for consumer and enterprise use. DigiLens and the MCC team have created plastic waveguides that perform at nearly the same level as glass while drastically reducing the weight and long-term manufacturing cost, the companies said in a press release.

Other benefits include increased user safety, with the lens being so close to the eye. DigiLens uses a proprietary photopolymer and holographic contact copy manufacturing process, said Patrick Suel, president of Diamond Edge Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

“DigiLens’ technology is the only approach that will be able to make a working waveguide display using plastic waveguide substrates,” Suel said. “I’m pleased to see that because of our investments in DigiLens and the collaboration with MCC we’ve helped create the only plastic waveguide technology provider without the need for nanoimprint lithography (NIL imprinting).”

“As the leading material supplier for the global display market with a broad expertise in materials technology, MCC is excited to help make this plastic concept become reality — combining knowledge in molecular design, polymer formulation, and coating technology,” said Johei Takimoto, managing executive officer of MCC. “With plastic waveguides, the head-worn ecosystem can start designing for compelling ruggedized use cases, wrapped in a small and stand-alone form factor. We believe AR/XR glasses will be the next volume mobile device, and we are very excited to be at the forefront of this new frontier.”