Optical Waveguides: A Key to Socially Acceptable AR Glasses?

11 - 13 October 2023
The Hotel Murano, Tacoma, Washington, USA

Hosts:

• Kai-Han Chang, General Motors, United States
• ​Ali Özgür Yöntem, University of Cambridge/Jaguar Land Rover, United Kingdom
• Kaan Akşit, University College London, United Kingdom

Program Overview

The theme of the incubator meeting is enabling technologies for ideal augmented reality. From the user experience perspective, the ideal AR with compact form factor and high display image quality does not exist yet. Furthermore, privacy concerns need to be addressed before launching a consumer AR product. The discussion will focus on the science and technology of the waveguides, which addresses the concerns and challenges that can lead to an ideal AR. 

This incubator meeting will bring together experts to discuss different types of light coupling approaches and the required characteristics of light engines. The meeting aims to explore their advantages and disadvantages, metrology, and path to product. 

Scope and Topics

Through invited talks, panels, products demos, discussion periods, and informal networking, this incubator seeks to:

1. Examine current research and development in different types of light coupling technologies for waveguides.
2. Explore current limitations and discuss what needs to be done to enable augmented reality glasses product.
3. Enable connections between academics and industry to accelerate technology development via collaboration.

Topics that will be explored during the meeting will include:

1. What is socially accepted Augmented Reality in waveguide-based AR?
2. Optical light coupling solutions for socially acceptable augmented reality.
3. Tools for designing technology solutions, including metrology methods for AR.
4. Considerations for a path to product, including manufacturability, next-generation optics, and content generation.
5. How to create the next generation of researchers in the field.

This incubator is supported in part by:

Meeting Schedule

The program, including breakfasts and lunches, will be held at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Washington, USA. Dinners, which are also included in the registration fee, will be held at local restaurants. All times approximate, check back for a detailed agenda.

DAY 1 - 11 October 2023​

• Dinner, location to be determined, at 18:00 PDT

DAY 2 - 12 October 2023

• Breakfast begins at 08:00 PDT at Hotel Murano
• Program begins at 08:30 PDT, lunch is included onsite​
• Dinner, location to be determined, begins at 18:00 PDT

DAY 3 - 13 October 2023

• Breakfast begins at 08:00 PDT at Hotel Murano
• Program begins at 08:30 PDT, lunch is included onsite​
• Adjourn at 15:00 PDT

Are you interested in attending?

A limited number of spots have been set aside at this invitation-only meeting for interested individuals to apply for. Please send a brief letter of interest along with a CV to the hosts at incubators@optica.org.