Lumus recently unveiled its latest reflective waveguide display for AR, the Maximus. Designed to fit a more traditional sized lens frame, it features a square 2k display with a 50° fov (field of view). While the prototype currently runs off an external processor and battery, its current form factor is much smaller than its competitors while offering a much clearer image.
Since the display uses what’s called a reflective rather than a diffractive waveguide display, Lumus was able to achieve a much higher brightness and energy efficient display. The type of near field display used is important as (in this case) the waveguide is how the display image is sent to the lens. Unlike a traditional display where all the components are stacked on top of each other, a waveguide allows those components to offset to the side while the final image is displayed on a transparent lens.
As part of its reveal, Lumus allowed KGOntech to get up close with the new display prototype. Comparing it to its competitors such as the Hololens 2, the benefits of Lumus’s reflective waveguide become apparent. While Microsoft’s Hololens 2 display is cheaper to manufacture as a more traditional diffractive waveguide, it also features a low ~40% transparency past the lens. In comparison to the Lumus’s prototype, which features an ~85% transparency allowing for a much clearer image of the outside world. For now, Lumus is still working out how to mass produce its displays. It has partnered with a glass manufacturer, Schott, to invest in the production process in order to bring costs down. If they can achieve mass production, it will greatly benefit future AR devices.
