What advancements are expected in AR optics and display technology?

Advancements in AR optics and display technology are focused on improving visual quality, reducing hardware bulk, and enabling wider field-of-view (FOV) experiences. Key areas include waveguide innovations, microLED displays, and adaptive optics systems. These improvements aim to address challenges like resolution, brightness, and user comfort, which are critical for practical AR applications.

Waveguide technology is evolving to support higher-resolution displays with thinner form factors. For example, holographic waveguides, such as those used in Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, use laser-etched patterns to direct light more efficiently, enabling a larger FOV and better color accuracy. Startups like DigiLens are developing polymer-based waveguides that are cheaper to manufacture and more durable than glass alternatives. Another approach involves stacked waveguides, where multiple layers handle different color channels, reducing chromatic aberration. These advancements reduce the physical footprint of AR glasses while maintaining image clarity, making them more viable for everyday use.

MicroLED displays are gaining traction due to their high brightness, energy efficiency, and pixel density. Unlike OLEDs, microLEDs don’t suffer from burn-in and can achieve peak brightness levels necessary for outdoor AR use. Companies like Mojo Vision are working on sub-100-micron microLED arrays for near-eye displays. Additionally, laser beam scanning (LBS) systems, such as those in Intel’s Vaunt prototype, project images directly onto the retina using low-power lasers, eliminating the need for bulky optics. These technologies are being paired with eye-tracking and adaptive focus systems—like those in Meta’s prototypes—to reduce vergence-accommodation conflict, a common cause of user discomfort in current AR headsets. Together, these innovations aim to create compact, high-performance AR displays suitable for consumer and enterprise applications.