49491Development of a first-of-its-kind Augmented Reality Holographic Headset prototype demonstrating the potential of computer generated holography to revolutionise AR and digital display industries, through best-in-class optics and ergonomicsClosedStudyInnovate UKHolography has long been considered the ultimate display technology and appealed to the imagination of millions through science fiction franchises such as Star Wars. Despite clear benefits of holography across many display applications, the tremendous computing requirements of creating full-depth holographic projections made them unfeasible for commercial applications. VividQ has developed and patented the world’s first software framework to enable commercial applications of real-time holographic 3D display in Augmented Reality (AR) headsets, smart-glasses, automotive head-up displays, and consumer electronics. To achieve mass scale adoption of holography, further technological improvements need to be made in display and optical systems for Augmented Reality devices, addressing such image characteristics like contrast and ‘speckle’ noise resulting from laser illumination of holographic displays. Therefore, the aim of this industrial research project is to integrate VividQ’s innovations into a miniaturised optical system, demonstrating a full-depth 3D holographic solution with market-leading image quality. The proof-of-concept demonstrators, designs, and evaluation kits of the system will be available to third parties (OEMs and ODMs) integrating holographic display into form factors such as AR headsets and smartglasses. The key innovations will be: * Integration of the latest research in image projection optics, reducing speckle and improving image quality. * Use of novel techniques to centre on the pupil the ‘eye-box’ in which the holographic display is visible, significantly improving the quality of experience and ergonomics in end-devices. The central project benefit is addressing the key barriers to adoption of holography as an AR display technology, demonstrating that: * Significant steps forward have been made in perceived image quality of holographic displays; * Ergonomic issues with regards to the size of the eye-box can be effectively resolved, putting consumer-grade solutions within reach. The project provides VividQ with a platform to demonstrate the advantages of holography compared to other display technologies, and capabilities of VividQ cutting-edge algorithms, helping to secure the UK’s position at the forefront of the next display revolution.