We redefine the way people see and interact with the world
The journey began in 2004 with Dr Jamieson Christmas’ PhD at Cambridge University, where his research focused on making high quality holographic displays viable for the first time. The research work laid the foundations for what later became a Dynamic Holography Platform.
Read MoreIn January 2010, following the completion of his PhD, Jamieson co-founded a deep technology start-up company Two Trees Photonics, to continue the research work. It quickly became clear that holographic technology was a very good fit for automotive head-up displays (HUD), and this resulted in Two Trees Photonics securing an opportunity to develop the world’s first laser holographic HUD for Jaguar Land Rover.
The next four years saw the team at Two Trees Photonics mature the holographic technology to enable it to survive the rigors of the automotive environment and in February 2015 the first vehicles were delivered fitted with a Holographic Head Up Display. Over 150,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles were delivered carrying our technology.
In December 2015, having recognized the potential of the technology, Two Trees Photonics was acquired by the Californian-based Augmented Reality wearables company, DAQRI.
DAQRI continued to receive a significant number of enquiries about the holographic technology for the automotive sector and in November 2017 it was decided that the holographic & automotive engineering team should separate from DAQRI and become an independent entity. On the 1st of January 2018 Envisics was formed and Jamieson appointed as CEO.
Envisics: Enhancing Your Driving Experience
Envisics has grown into a globally renowned dynamic holography pioneer, focused on developing holographic technologies for augmented reality head-up displays (AR HUD) and automotive sensor systems. Our branded technology harnesses the power of holography and laser-based light sources to provide the highest possible image quality. Envisics is manipulating light at its most fundamental level.
Holographic augmented reality overlays timely and relevant information upon the real world within the driver’s field of view, reducing the need for the driver to take their eyes off of the road, improving road safety and enhancing the ability to make more informed decisions.
To date, most companies developing holographic technology for the automotive market have focused on the application of Holographic Optical Elements (HOE) in the form of a film that is laminated into the windshield. At Envisics, we are a taking a different approach. Whereas HOE systems use off-the-shelf projector components, we make our images through the manipulation of the speed of light. Our holograms are calculated in real time by the advanced computational power from our proprietary chip designs. Our approach enables OEMs to unlock both 3D imagery and true augmented reality.
Envisics’ AR HUD system enables automakers to project information via near-field and far field views. The system inputs are driven via the vehicle’s Automated Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) with graphics and information delivery directed by the automaker and consistent with their brand identity.
Company Profile
Our IP portfolio consists of over one thousand patents pending or granted in the areas of digital holography, algorithms, and related deep technologies. Our research and development is focused on both the application of our patented inventions and continuing to advance the science and mathematics that will enable true digital holography.
Headquartered in Milton Keynes in the U.K., Envisics is a global leader in the field of Augmented-Reality Head-Up Display (AR-HUD) technology for automotive applications. Envisics Ltd. is a private company registered and headquartered in the U.K. Envisics Ltd. is owned by Envisics Inc., a Delaware corporation. In addition to its U.K. operations, the company also has locations in the USA and Germany together with a presence in Japan. Its workforce numbers over one hundred and is largely comprised of highly qualified R&D scientists and engineers.
Business model and market
Envisics is targeting OEMs and Tier 1 manufacturers (B2B channel) and establishing key partnerships in this sector to cement their position in the AR-HUD space. The HUD market has been growing and is currently populated with mainly TFT-LCD solutions; however, the lack of depth and lower brightness means holography could be a more suitable option for this application. The brightness is fundamental in HUDs, with images having to remain visible even under incident sunlight. Computer-generated holography requires coherent light sources and laser sources are typically the optimal option. A laser source would still be visible in very bright ambient conditions, including very bright sunny days.
What is a HUD?
A HUD, or Head-up Display is a display that a user can see in their field of vision without having to look down or sideways – hence the Head-up name. The HUD’s mission – and its key advantage – is to deliver important information to the driver without them having to move their heads or eyes from the road.
Read MoreFor an integrated HUD in an automobile, information such as speed, tachometer, fuel, or navigation signals are first generated in a display device behind the dashboard. This image is magnified using optics within the dashboard and projected onto the car windshield. The optics shape the information to create a virtual image. That means it appears 2-3 meters away from the driver, at the front of the car or even further out.
An automotive HUD is an augmented reality display that does not require any glasses or eyewear. It is a transparent display that presents information in a portion of the driver’s field of view and placed far enough away to avoid refocusing to see the information. Video games also use the term HUD to refer to information that is overlaid on the game graphics. Sometimes called the status bar, it typically displays the main character’s health, weapons, time, or capabilities.
Meet The Team
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Dr Jamieson Christmas
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Kim Beatty
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Dr Graham Cairns
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James Hunter
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Fabien Roth
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Dr Martin Greenaway
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Fiona Herbert
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Simon Sproule
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Paul Yates
Our Timeline
2019
In 2019 we unveiled the result of our tireless work at CES. Everybody that saw it was absolutely blown away, hugely impressed. No-one had ever seen anything quite like it: compact HUD design; large image size; augmented reality; in a vehicle. All the things that traditionally have been very difficult to do, they were there in high quality.
2020
In October 2020, Envisics raised $50m from a number of highly complementary blue-chip automotive companies following the successful closing of its series B strategic funding round. The group of investors recognizing the potential of Envisics’ revolutionary approach includes Hyundai Mobis, the global tier one automotive supplier, GM Ventures, the venture capital subsidiary of General Motors, SAIC Capital, the venture investment business of SAIC Motors and Van Tuyl Companies, a US-based family office investment firm.
2022
Timeline Title
In July 2022, Envisics was recognized at the Stellantis technology partnership awards, winning the Automotive Tech category for its pioneering work in Augmented Reality Heads-Up Display. The awards were created to highlight the work of startups supporting Stellantis’ transformation into a sustainable mobility tech company.
2023
In March 2023, Envisics announced the first phase of its Series C strategic funding round had raised over $50 million, led by Hyundai Mobis – an existing strategic investor. Additional investments came from new strategic shareholders InMotion Ventures, the investment arm of Jaguar Land Rover, and Stellantis. In September 2023, Envisics announced the completion of the round, totaling over $100M and giving a valuation of over $500M. The company welcomed M&G Investments as a new investor in the company and a follow-on investment from Van Tuyl Companies.
2025
During 2025, the Envisics Generation Two, dual-plane AR HUD will debut in the Cadillac Lyriq EV. This represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the company and the next development step towards unlocking the true potential of dynamic holographic technology.
Summary
HUDs have found wide adoption in aircraft and luxury automotive and commercial vehicles, but a new growth cycle is starting now that promises to make HUD technology available to a much wider audience at more affordable price points.
Over the past 10 years the automotive industry has seen profound changes driven by the introduction of new technologies including connectivity, autonomy, and electrification. At the same time, the way in which information is delivered to drivers has migrated to increasingly larger screens that enable vehicle functionality, navigation, and entertainment. However, the increasing reliance on screen-based information delivery systems is creating an attention challenge for drivers, particularly in complex urban environments.
Envisics is working to address this challenge through the application of true digital and dynamic holography that owes its inspiration from the very first Star Wars movie and the projection of Princess Leia as a holographic image from R2-D2. May the Force be With Us!