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The Next Generation Automotive Display

Our Vision

Automotive Head-up Display (HUD) systems displaying essential driving information on the windscreen are present in increasing numbers of cars and utility vehicles. Present HUD systems are susceptible to optical artifacts and have a very narrow field of view, hindering the application of Augmented Reality (AR) features. These limitations present significant challenges to the automotive industry that is actively seeking new technologies for the next generation of HUD systems.

The aHEAD Photonics Ltd. was founded as a start-up company in 2023. We run a project and develop an innovative HUD technology improving road safety and providing premium user experience. Our technology offers a solution to the above challenges by displaying driving information in a wide field of view using Augmented Reality features. Our future product will be cost effective compared to present HUD technology. Our system will significantly improve road safety by reducing driver distraction and decreasing reaction time in hazardous situations.

The fundamentals of the project have been laid down by the research of Pal Koppa PhD and Abel Sulyok PhD at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. By analyzing the problems of present HUD systems, they have proposed a radically new HUD concept using flat panel displays. Two international patents have been filed for the protection of the key elements of the concept. The TRL4 level proof of concept laboratory system demonstrates the feasibility of the key features of the concept, and it has already attracted the attention of important players in automotive industry.

In the near future our goal to deliver a TRL7 level aHead Photonics Head-up-display technology validated in operational environment.

Q3 2023

PoC is ready
Lab demonstrator

Q2 2024

Testbed is ready
Simulated automotive environment

Q2 2024

Testbed is ready
Simulated automotive environment

Q1 2026

Prototype in a Simulated automotive environment

Q3 2027

Successful road test
Licence agreement with TIER1 suppliers

Q3 2027

Successful road test
Licence agreement with TIER1 suppliers

Q2 2028

aHEAD product on the market by TIER1 partners

Our Technology

Industry standard: projection type HUD

Problem HUD

Wide field of view is not feasible with projection type HUD

System size (volume)
System size
(volume)
Limited field of View
Limited Field of View
Glare from stray light (e.g., sunlight)
Glare from stray light
(e.g., sunlight)
Optics size (cost, vibrations)
Optics size
(cost, vibrations)
Fades out with polarized sunglasses
Fades out with polarized sunglasses
Ghost image
Ghost image

Radically new concept based on cutting edge technology

Solution HUD

aHead Competitive Advantage

Circuled gear  Technical advantage

  • Field of view from 36° ✕ 12° up to the entire windshield
  • Planar geometry — easy integration to cockpit
  • 10% lower production cost
  • Plans for 2nd product generation

Circuled bulb  Unfair advantage

  • 2 patents pending (to be granted 2023-2025)
  • Know-how owned by founders
  • High level university background
  • Experience in micro and polarization optics
  • Cooperation with technology partners to improve quality and reduce costs

Key Enabling Technologies

Techscheme
Chart
  • Micro-optical off-axis backlight
  • Variable polarization film 1
  • Directional filter 2
  • Thin film layer on windshield

1 Patent application P1900393 (filed on 21 Nov 2019), PCT/HU2020/050046

2 Patent application P2100167 (filed on 22 April 2021), PCT/HU2022/050034

Polarization film