FORVIA HELLA and Distance Technologies Form Strategic Partnership to Develop Mirrorless 3D AR Head-Up Displays for Next-Generation Automotive Cockpits

Based on the 3D AR Head-Up Display, complex information can be projected into the field of view as if it was part of the real environment. (Picture: FORVIA HELLA)

(IN BRIEF) FORVIA HELLA and Finnish start-up Distance Technologies have entered into a strategic development partnership, backed by an investment through HELLA Ventures, to develop a mirrorless 3D augmented reality Head-Up Display for automotive applications. The planned system moves beyond conventional HUDs by integrating three-dimensional virtual content with the driver’s real-world view, enabling navigation guidance, lane information, hazard alerts and other contextual cues to appear spatially positioned within the road environment. Its mirrorless architecture is intended to reduce installation space compared with traditional HUD systems, while 3D depth projection creates an extended virtual display area that can also support passenger entertainment, video communication and future highly automated driving applications. FORVIA HELLA will contribute its automotive electronics, lighting, optical and industrialization expertise, while Distance Technologies brings AI-based computational optics, embedded software and patented 3D light field technology. The partners aim to advance the concept toward series production while providing vehicle manufacturers with a flexible, software-updatable display platform designed to enhance safety, comfort and future digital cockpit experiences.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIPPSTADT, 9-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — FORVIA HELLA and Finnish start-up Distance Technologies have entered into a strategic development partnership to create a new mirrorless 3D augmented reality Head-Up Display (AR HUD) for automotive applications, supported by an investment in Distance Technologies through HELLA Ventures.

The companies aim to bring a space-optimized display architecture to the automotive market that significantly expands the capabilities of conventional Head-Up Displays. Instead of projecting only two-dimensional information into the driver’s field of view, the planned system will augment the broader forward view with three-dimensional visual content designed to appear spatially integrated with the real-world environment.

By eliminating the mirrors traditionally used in HUD projection systems, the technology is also intended to reduce installation space while retaining a three-dimensional augmented reality experience.

Mirrorless architecture designed to reduce cockpit installation space

Conventional automotive Head-Up Displays typically use integrated mirrors to project information onto the windshield.

The system being jointly developed by FORVIA HELLA and Distance Technologies takes a different approach, using computational optics and 3D light field technology to create the visual experience without the conventional mirror-based architecture.

According to the partners, removing these components can substantially reduce the space required for the system inside the vehicle while preserving the ability to present information with spatial depth.

This could provide vehicle manufacturers with greater flexibility when integrating advanced display technologies into increasingly complex digital cockpits.

3D augmented reality integrates information with the road environment

The planned 3D AR HUD is designed to display contextual information so that it appears positioned directly within the driver’s real-world view.

Potential applications include dynamic navigation instructions, highlighted target roads, lane guidance, exit directions and hazard warnings.

Rather than appearing as separate graphics floating in front of the driver, the information can be spatially aligned with relevant elements in the road environment.

The companies say this approach is intended to make driving information more intuitive while helping limit distraction and visual fatigue.

Depth projection creates larger virtual display environment

The technology also introduces a three-dimensional depth projection capability that creates what the partners describe as a virtual 3D AR canvas.

This extended spatial field of view can provide vehicle manufacturers with greater flexibility in determining how and where digital content is displayed.

Because applications can be software-based, the functionality can also be adapted and updated over time according to the requirements of individual automotive manufacturers.

The approach is intended to support evolving cockpit concepts in which digital information becomes increasingly integrated with the physical driving environment.

Applications extend beyond navigation and driver information

FORVIA HELLA and Distance Technologies see the technology supporting a wider range of in-vehicle applications than conventional Head-Up Displays.

In addition to driving-related information, the three-dimensional display space could be used to deliver entertainment content for passengers and support video-based communication services.

In scenarios involving highly automated driving, similar functions could potentially become available to the driver when operating conditions permit.

The companies therefore see the 3D AR HUD as part of a broader transition toward digital cockpit environments in which information, communication and entertainment functions can be integrated through software-defined visual interfaces.

Partnership combines automotive industrialization with computational optics

FORVIA HELLA will contribute its expertise in vehicle electronics, lighting and optical technologies, as well as its experience in developing and industrializing complex automotive systems for series production.

Distance Technologies brings expertise in AI-based patented computational optics, embedded software and 3D light field technology.

The development partnership is intended to combine these capabilities to move the mirrorless 3D AR HUD concept toward automotive series production.

The collaboration is further supported by HELLA Ventures’ investment in Distance Technologies.

FORVIA HELLA targets safer and more intuitive digital cockpit experiences

Andreas Lütkes, Member of the Electronics Executive Board at FORVIA HELLA, said the partnership expands the company’s product portfolio with a future-oriented technology while supporting the development of more digital and sustainable cockpit experiences.

He said FORVIA HELLA’s automotive and industrialization expertise, combined with Distance Technologies’ hardware and software capabilities, could enable relevant driving information to be projected spatially and precisely into the driver’s field of view.

According to Lütkes, the objective is to improve safety, comfort and intuitive interaction while avoiding unnecessary distraction or fatigue.

He described the collaboration as an important step toward shaping future automotive user experiences.

Distance Technologies targets transition from display information to visual intelligence

Urho Konttori, Co-founder and CEO of Distance Technologies, said the company’s 3D light field technology sits at the centre of the collaboration with FORVIA HELLA.

He said the partnership, strengthened by HELLA Ventures’ investment, is intended to help bring a new generation of augmented reality Head-Up Displays into series production.

Konttori described the longer-term objective as moving beyond simply displaying information toward introducing what the company calls visual intelligence into the physical world.

The partners see this as an important element in the evolution of future vehicle cockpits, where digital content can be presented more naturally and directly through the windshield.

Software-based architecture supports future functionality

The virtual 3D AR canvas is intended to give automotive manufacturers flexibility in configuring information according to individual vehicle concepts and user requirements.

Because new functions can be delivered and adapted through software, the display platform could evolve after vehicle launch and support new use cases over time.

This software-oriented approach aligns with wider automotive industry trends toward digital cockpits, increasingly configurable vehicle interfaces and continuously upgradeable in-vehicle functionality.

 Media Contacts:

Nadine-Kristin Reilmann
Press Officer Automotive Technology
Rixbecker Str. 75
59552 Lippstadt
Phone: +49 172 14 834 89
Nadine-Kristin.Reilmann@forvia.com

Daniel Morfeld
Group Press Officer
Rixbecker Str. 75
59552 Lippstadt
Tel: +49 2941 38-7566
Daniel.Morfeld@forvia.com

SOURCE: FORVIA HELLA