Hyundai Motor Company is aiming to implement holographic augmented reality (AR) navigation systems in production vehicles by 2020 after investing in WayRay.

​Compared to conventional head-up displays (HUD) available in the market, WayRay’s technology has a smaller projection system that provides a clearer image, which can be installed in almost any vehicle.

Hyundai Motor Group’s chief innovation officer and executive vice president Youngcho Chi said: “WayRay has remarkable expertise in both hardware and software development for holographic AR display systems.

"The Hyundai-WayRay collaboration will help us establish a brand new eco-system that harnesses AR technology to enhance not only navigation systems, but also establish an AR platform for smart city and smart mobility, which are Hyundai Motor Group’s new business interests which will provide innovative customer experiences.”

The technology's wide field of view allows for displaying more virtual objects at a comfortable distance for a driver’s eyes. It has no restriction in display size parameters, and can even project a display that covers the entire front windscreen.

Traffic information can be displayed on the road through the windscreen, so drivers can maintain their focus on the road ahead.

It can provide improved driving directions based on the car’s speed, including real-time information about pedestrian crossings, pedestrians, roads and warning signs.

In future, if incorporated with autonomous driving technology that is hyperconnected to the road and neighbouring vehicles, the technology will be able to display further information about the surrounding environment for the driver.

It can also be integrated with the vehicle’s side windows to provide passengers with a variety of infotainment services.

WayRay’s chief executive  Vitaly Ponomarev said: “As a deep-tech company, we are committed to creating fundamental innovations that bring us far beyond holographic AR displays and new interfaces.

“We are proud to be recognised as a reliable partner able to meet the high standards set by investors like Hyundai.”