FORVIA HELLA Partners With Distance on 3D AR HUD

FORVIA HELLA and Distance Technologies Join Forces

FORVIA HELLA has entered a partnership with Finland-based Distance Technologies to jointly develop a mirrorless 3D augmented reality Head-Up Display for automotive applications. The Hella GmbH & Co KGaA company, operating as FORVIA HELLA, is contributing expertise in vehicle electronics, lighting, and optical technologies, while Distance Technologies brings capabilities in AI-based computational optics and patented 3D light field technology. The collaboration is supported by an investment through HELLA Ventures and is focused on creating an advanced display system that can present digital information within the driver's real-world field of view.

AR HUD Integrates Digital Guidance With Road Conditions

The planned display is designed to combine navigation information and context-aware cues with the driver's surrounding environment. Dynamic navigation guidance can show lane directions, identify the exit to take, and provide hazard information while remaining integrated with the real field of view. These elements are projected onto the windshield and embedded into the roadway perspective, allowing digital guidance to appear in connection with the actual driving environment. The approach is intended to provide relevant information without distracting the driver, while the mirrorless architecture also reduces the installation space required for the display system.

Computational Optics Supports Mirrorless 3D Projection

Distance Technologies' technology is based on AI-enabled computational optics and 3D light field technology, which are central to the partnership's mirrorless display concept. Combined with FORVIA HELLA's capabilities in vehicle electronics, lighting, and optical systems, the technology is intended to create a three-dimensional augmented reality canvas without relying on a conventional mirror-based HUD configuration. This combination brings together software-driven optical processing and automotive display expertise, providing a technical foundation for projecting information onto the windshield while maintaining its relationship with the driver's actual surroundings.

Software-Updated 3D Canvas Expands Display Applications

The system includes a virtual 3D AR canvas that can be adapted to individual original equipment manufacturer requirements and updated through software. This flexibility allows the information presented through the display to evolve without requiring a fundamental change to the hardware. Beyond navigation and driving-related information, the technology is also designed to support passenger entertainment and video-based communication. The partners also identify potential applications for drivers operating vehicles in highly automated driving scenarios, where the display could provide information suited to changing vehicle-use conditions.

HELLA Ventures Supports the Technology Collaboration

The partnership is supported by an investment from HELLA Ventures, linking financial backing with the joint technology-development effort. For FORVIA HELLA, the collaboration builds on its established expertise across automotive electronics, lighting, and optical technologies while adding Distance Technologies' specialized computational optics and light field capabilities. For Distance Technologies, the partnership provides an automotive development pathway for its patented technology. The companies are therefore combining complementary capabilities to advance a mirrorless augmented reality display intended for integration into future vehicle applications.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The collaboration could strengthen the role of windshield-based augmented reality as vehicle interfaces become increasingly software-defined and context-aware. Its focus on reducing installation space while supporting navigation, safety-related cues, entertainment, and communication gives the technology relevance across multiple vehicle-use scenarios. The involvement of Finland-based Distance Technologies also highlights cross-border technology collaboration within the automotive display sector. The next stage will depend on how effectively the partners translate computational optics and 3D light field capabilities into production-ready automotive hardware that meets OEM requirements for integration, software updates, and real-world driving applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are FORVIA HELLA and Distance Technologies developing?
The companies are jointly developing a mirrorless 3D augmented reality Head-Up Display designed for automotive applications and real-world driving environments. The system uses computational optics and 3D light field technology to project navigation and context-aware information onto the windshield. It can display lane guidance, navigation directions, selected exits, and hazard information within the driver's field of view. The virtual 3D AR canvas can also be adapted to OEM requirements and updated through software, while potential applications include passenger entertainment, video communication, and highly automated driving scenarios.