WayRay

Last updated
WayRay
Company type Private
Industry Automotive
Founded2012;12 years ago (2012)
Defunct2023
Fatebankrupt
Headquarters
Zürich
,
Switzerland
Number of locations
 Moscow, Russia
Key people
Vitaly Ponomarev, Philippe Monnier
Products Augmented_reality
Number of employees
0
Website http://wayray.com/

WayRay was a Russian start-up with offices in Switzerland and Russia. It developed holographic AR technologies for connected cars.

Contents

With effect of 14 August 2023, the Zurich probate court declared the bankruptcy of the WayRay AG, Switzerland. [1] The company's assets have been officially liquidated since this date. [2]

History

According to Vitaly Ponomarev, company's founder, the idea of a device that projects navigational information on the windshield of the car came to him after the accident into which he got when he was distracted by the GPS navigator. The concept was gradually supplemented by social network and augmented reality. By December 2011, the idea became a project of a portable collimator to be installed on a car's front panel. Using a thin holographic film on the windshield instead of a mirror system made it possible to reduce the dimensions of the device. In the spring of 2012, the device was presented for the first time. [3]

In October 2013, WayRay took the prize at the Intel Global Challenge, UC Berkeley, California, and the following month got shortlisted as a finalist at Slush, a startup competition in Helsinki, Finland. [4] [5]

In November 2017, at the LA Auto Show, WayRay was selected as the grand prize winner of the 2017 Top Ten Automotive Startups Competition. [6] [7]

WayRay's achievements have been covered by various media: in 2013, Business Insider magazine listed WayRay among the 11 Hottest Startups in Northern Europe; in 2017, Wired magazine included WayRay in the Top 10 Startups Racing to Remake The Auto Industry. [8] [9] [10] Later in 2018, VentureBeat named the company one of “7 promising tech startups shaking up the auto industry.” [11]

Investments

Initial capital of WayRay was 300,000 USD of personal and borrowed funds of the founder, which was aimed at designing electronics and developing a chemical formula of the film, later ordered at DuPont.

In 2017, the Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group led an $18 million Series B round. [12] In September 2018, the company raised another $80 million in Series C round led by Porsche. [13] [14] [15] As of then, WayRay had a valuation of $500 million. [16]

Developments

The company had announced several development projects in the field of augmented reality for the automotive industry:

In November 2017 WayRay won the grand prize in the Top Ten Automotive Startups Competition at LA Auto Show. In addition to the prize money, the company was granted other perks from companies represented among panel judges. Those perks included access to Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure, a new Nvidia Drive PX 2 AI computer and access to Elektrobit's software network for automated driving and consulting services from Porsche Consulting. [20]

In January 2018, the CES-2018 company showed off its Navion navigation system for the first time. Also at CES, WayRay demonstrated its development platform True AR SDK, which was created to allow others to build augmented reality apps for automobiles. [19] In February 2018, the company announced a new competition seeking developers for its True SDK Challenge, a competition to create AR applications for cars. [21]

In November 2021 WayRay launched its own Holograktor car to showcase the holographic technology. [22]

Automotive collaborations

WayRay's business model included both retail sales Navion Navigator and OEM-contracts with automakers on the supply of AR-system. In December 2015, the company announced a partnership agreement with the French provider of telecommunications services, Orange Business Services, under which it would have provided wireless connection and maintenance of WayRay products in the US. [23]

In January 2017, at the CES-2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the company announced a strategic partnership with the US automotive electronics manufacturer Harman International Industries and the planned introduction of WayRay technologies into Harman's solutions for automakers. The autonomous concept car Oasis of the Swiss company Rinspeed was presented at the exhibition. It is equipped with the infotainment system with augmented reality developed by WayRay. [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]

Banma Technologies, a joint venture between Alibaba Group and Chinese auto concern SAIC Motor, was a WayRay's partner which worked with carmakers on its behalf. [29]

At Startup Autobahn 2018, Europe's largest innovation platform initiated by Daimler AG and Plug and Play, WayRay announced its joint pilot project with the German automobile manufacturer Porsche and took home the People's Choice Award and the prize in the AR/VR category. [30] [31] [32] [33] The company also cooperated with a number of automakers. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Augmented reality</span> View of the real world with computer-generated supplementary features

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated 3D content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory. AR can be defined as a system that incorporates three basic features: a combination of real and virtual worlds, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects. The overlaid sensory information can be constructive, or destructive. As such, it is one of the key technologies in the reality-virtuality continuum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head-up display</span> Transparent display presenting data within normal sight lines of the user

A head-up display, or heads-up display, also known as a HUD or head-up guidance system (HGS), is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints. The origin of the name stems from a pilot being able to view information with the head positioned "up" and looking forward, instead of angled down looking at lower instruments. A HUD also has the advantage that the pilot's eyes do not need to refocus to view the outside after looking at the optically nearer instruments.

iOnRoad is a free augmented reality driving safety app owned by Harman. It received the International CES 2012 innovation award. The program uses the GPS feature, gyroscope and video camera stream of the native mobile device to monitor a vehicle’s position on the road, alerting drivers of lane departures and potential collisions with audio and visual cues. iOnRoad has been downloaded by over 500,000 people.

WebAR, previously known as the Augmented Web, is a web technology that allows for augmented reality functionality within a web browser. It is a combination of HTML, Web Audio, WebGL, and WebRTC. From 2020s more known as web-based Augmented Reality or WebAR, which is about the use of augmented reality elements in browsers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CarPlay</span> Protocol for connecting Apple hardware to car radios

CarPlay is an Apple standard that enables a car radio or automotive head unit to be a display and controller for an iOS device. It is available on iPhone 5 and later models running iOS 7.1 or later.

zSpace (company) Technology firm based in San Jose, California

zSpace is a technology firm based in San Jose, California that combines elements of virtual and augmented reality in a computer. zSpace mostly provides AR/VR technology to the education market. It allows teachers and learners to interact with simulated objects in virtual environments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Augment (app)</span>

Augment is an augmented reality SaaS platform that allows users to visualize their products in 3D in real environment and in real-time through tablets or smartphones. The software can be used for retail, e-commerce, architecture, and other purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skully (helmet)</span>

Skully was a brand of motorcycle helmet with a heads-up display and a rear-facing camera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Android Auto</span> Mobile app providing a vehicle-optimized user interface

Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features of a smartphone on a car's dashboard information and entertainment head unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic Leap</span> American augmented reality hardware manufacturer

Magic Leap, Inc. is an American technology company that released a head-mounted augmented reality display, called Magic Leap One, which superimposes 3D computer-generated imagery over real world objects. It is attempting to construct a light-field chip using silicon photonics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bisi Ezerioha</span> American racing driver

Ndubisi "Bisi" Ezerioha is a Nigerian-American engineer, professional race car driver, entrepreneur and engine builder. He is the current CEO and Chief Engineer for Bisimoto Engineering. Ezerioha is involved in import drag racing, and pilots a 2006 Honda Insight in the pro stock ranks of IDRA, IDRC and CMI series. A chemical engineer by training, and entering university at the age of 15, he was a pharmaceutical researcher for years before he decided to branch off. His automotive creations have appeared in numerous films, television shows, toys and video games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automotive head-up display</span> Advanced driver assistance system

An automotive head-up display or automotive heads-up display — also known as an auto-HUD — is any transparent display that presents data in the automobile without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints. The origin of the name stems from a pilot being able to view information with the head positioned "up" and looking forward, instead of angled down looking at lower instruments. At this time, there are three different approaches to OEM HUDs in automobiles. The first is to treat the back of the windshield in such a way that an image projected onto it will reflect to the driver. The second is to have a small combiner that is separate from the windshield. Combiners can be retracted. The third is to laminate a transparent display in between layers of the windshield glass.

Leia Inc. is an American company producing 3D Lightfield products and software applications.

DAQRI was an American augmented reality company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.

Gestigon is a software development company founded in September 2011, to develop software for gesture control and body tracking based on 3D depth data.

HUDWAY is a California-based company that provides head-up displays. The company was founded in 2013 by cousins Ivan Klabukov and Alex Ostanin.

Vehicle subscription is a service where a customer pays a recurring fee for the right to use one or more automotive vehicles. Some vehicle subscriptions offer insurance and maintenance as part of the subscription fee; other subscriptions allow the subscriber to switch between different vehicles during their subscription period. Industry commentators consider vehicle subscription to be an alternative to owning or leasing a vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Android Automotive</span> Android operating system version for car infotainment systems

Android Automotive is a variation of Google's Android operating system, tailored for its use in vehicle dashboards. Introduced in March 2017, the platform was developed by Google and Intel, together with car manufacturers such as Volvo and Audi. The project aims to provide an operating system codebase for vehicle manufacturers to develop their own version of the operating system. Besides infotainment tasks, such as messaging, navigation and music playback, the operating system aims to handle vehicle-specific functions such as controlling the air conditioning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyon</span> Chinese automobile manufacturer

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References

  1. ↑ "Provisional announcement of bankruptcy Wayray AG (Publication number: KK01-0000032156)". Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  2. ↑ "Bankruptcy publication/call to creditors Wayray AG en liquidation (Publication number: KK02-0000037784)". Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce SOGC. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  3. ↑ Allen Lee (2022-07-02). "20 Things You Didn't Know About WayRay" [20 Things You Didn’t Know About WayRay]. Money Inc. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
  4. ↑ "BIT Contest announces Global Track nomination winners". East-West Digital News. 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  5. ↑ "Meet The Winners From Slush, A Massive Startup Competition In Finland". Business Insider. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  6. ↑ "Alibaba Backed WayRay won Grand Prize on AutoMobility LA's Top Ten - VR World". VR World. 2017-11-29. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  7. ↑ "Alibaba-backed augmented reality start-up makes driving look like a video game - CNBC". CNBC. 2017-11-28. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  8. ↑ Megan Rose Dickey (2013-11-22). "The 11 Hottest Startups In Northern Europe". Business Insider . Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  9. ↑ Nicholas Tufnell (2014-08-01). "Europe's hottest startups 2014: Moscow". Wired UK. Wired magazine . Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  10. ↑ "Meet the Top 10 Startups Racing to Remake the Auto Industry". WIRED. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  11. ↑ "7 promising tech startups shaking up the auto industry". VentureBeat. 2018-02-26. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  12. ↑ Catherine Shu (2017-03-15). "Alibaba invests in WayRay, a maker of augmented-reality dashboards for smart cars" [Alibaba invests in WayRay, a maker of augmented-reality dashboards for smart cars]. Techcrunch . Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  13. ↑ "Porsche invests in Swiss start-up WayRay". Porsche. 2018-09-18. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  14. ↑ "Porsche leads $80 million investment in WayRay to bring holographic AR displays to cars". VentureBeat . 2018-09-18. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  15. ↑ "Porsche And Hyundai Are Looking To Add Augmented Reality To Future Models @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  16. ↑ "WayRay raises $80M at a $500M valuation led by Porsche for its holographic AR display tech". TechCrunch. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
  17. ↑ "WayRay: What we do" . Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  18. ↑ "Holographic Breakthrough In The WayRay Holograktor Could Disrupt Car Interior Design". Forbes. 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  19. 1 2 3 Darrell Etherington (2018-01-09). "WayRay's AR in-car HUD convinced me HUDs can be better". Techcrunch. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  20. ↑ Robert Ferris (2017-11-27). "Alibaba-backed augmented reality start-up makes driving look like a video game". CNBC. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
  21. ↑ Peter Graham (2018-02-08). "WayRay Seeks AR Developers For Its True AR SDK Challenge". VR Focus. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  22. ↑ "Holographic Breakthrough in the WayRay Holograktor Could Disrupt Car Interior Design". Forbes .
  23. ↑ "WayRay, navigation holographique". Services Mobiles. 2015-12-07. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  24. ↑ Darrin Shewchuk (2017-01-04). "HARMAN and Holographic AR Displays Pioneer WayRay Announce Collaboration for Automotive Market". Harman Newsroom. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  25. ↑ Jennifer Kite-Powell (2016-12-28). "How To Drive A Concept Car With Holographic Navigation". Forbes . Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  26. ↑ "Honda Global | May 30, 2018 Overview of Honda Exhibit at CES ASIA 2018". Honda Global. May 30, 2018. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  27. ↑ "Honda Xcelerator". MSN News . Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  28. ↑ WayRay (2018-07-20). "WayRay rubs shoulders with Honda Xcelerator at CES Asia 2018". Medium. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  29. ↑ "WayRay announces strategic partnership with Banma Technologies with investment support from Alibaba Group". Sudonull. 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  30. ↑ "Porsche invests in Swiss start-up WayRay". Porsche Newsroom. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  31. ↑ "WayRay raises $80M at a $500M valuation led by Porsche for its holographic AR display tech". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  32. ↑ "Porsche, Hyundai invest in WayRay to make augmented-reality HUDs". Roadshow. 2018-09-18. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  33. ↑ "Porsche's new video game tech". news.com.au . Retrieved 2018-11-20.
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