Kyocera shatters physical boundaries with its Aerial Display technology

Improved assistance systems Kyocera shatters physical boundaries with its Aerial Display technology

2025-01-13 From Hendrik Härter | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

SIMTOS (Seoul International Machine Tool Show)

Kyocera's Aerial Displays project high-resolution images into mid-air, providing drivers with critical information directly in their line of sight. This innovative technology reduces distractions and enhances safety by eliminating the need to look away from the road.

Kyocera's Aerial Displays are a combination of miniaturization, high resolution and next-generation image quality and can project extremely realistic, free-floating images with the help of a mirror system.(Image: Kyocera) — Kyocera's Aerial Displays are a combination of miniaturization, high resolution and next-generation image quality and can project extremely realistic, free-floating images with the help of a mirror system.
(Image: Kyocera)

Kyocera's Aerial Displays utilize advanced optical technology to project high-resolution images into mid-air, delivering critical information directly in the driver’s line of sight. This innovative system enhances safety by reducing distractions and eliminating the need to glance away from the road.
At its core, the technology employs an advanced aerial image projection system. Light beams converge at a predefined point in space to create a sharp, floating virtual image. Key components include aspherical lenses that minimize distortion for detailed projections and precision mirrors that accurately direct the light beams, forming a realistic and highly detailed image at the desired spatial location.

High-resolution image sources and contactless control

The high image quality of the aerial displays is achieved using modern microdisplays such as OLEDs or micro-LEDs, which allow brilliant colors and high contrasts to be achieved. This is not only energy-efficient, but also offers a long service life. Another technical milestone of aerial displays is interactive control without physical contact. Various sensor technologies are used here. Infrared sensors detect the position and movement of hands or fingers in space. Capacitive sensors enable precise gesture recognition in real time. Ultrasonic sensors detect movements in a larger radius and supplement the functionality of the other sensors.

Millimeter wave sensors

The camera lidar fusion sensor from Kyocera is the world's first lidar in which the camera and laser are on the same optical axis.(Image: Kyocera) — The camera lidar fusion sensor from Kyocera is the world's first lidar in which the camera and laser are on the same optical axis.
(Image: Kyocera)

In addition to the Aerial Display, Kyocera has developed a non-contact millimeter wave sensor system. It precisely detects even the smallest vibrations. It offers decisive advantages for cars, as the sensors support driver assistance systems with high-precision sensor data. This means that obstacles or road conditions can be detected even in poor weather conditions. The millimeter wave sensor system can perceive very fine details and changes in its surroundings. This shortens the reaction time of the safety functions and at the same time improves the overall performance of the autonomous driving functions.

The sensors can be used to measure vital data, for example. The millimeter wave sensor measures the heart rate and other vital parameters precisely and without contact. In addition to use in vehicles, the sensor is also suitable for use in buildings.

The millimetre wave technology SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) developed by Kyocera replaces mechanical lidar systems with a 4D image processing radar. SLAM combines sensor data to simultaneously determine the vehicle's position and create a map of its surroundings. This enables precise mapping and navigation even in poor weather conditions at a lower cost.

In addition, Kyocera's camera-lidar fusion sensor integrates camera and lidar data on a single optical axis. This real-time overlay improves object detection and, with a MEMS mirror, offers what Kyocera claims to be the world's highest resolution and an improved service life.

Bifocal mirror improves readability

Similar to a head-up display, the bifocal mirror from Kyocera shows a magnified virtual image at a greater distance.(Image: Kyocera) — Similar to a head-up display, the bifocal mirror from Kyocera shows a magnified virtual image at a greater distance.
(Image: Kyocera)

Electronic rear-view mirrors with an integrated display for cars are becoming increasingly popular. However, drivers with age-related farsightedness (presbyopia) often have difficulty reading the display as the eye has to accommodate accordingly. Similar to a head-up display, Kyocera's bifocal mirror displays a magnified virtual image at a greater distance, making it easier for drivers to adjust their focus and see the image clearly immediately. The technology supports safe driving by immediately displaying information recognized by the rear view camera in the mirror.

Use outside of vehicles

The potential applications for aerial displays and millimeter wave sensors go far beyond the automotive industry. Applications are conceivable in medical technology, in salesrooms or even in the aerospace industry. Kyocera's technologies could also be used for interactive presentations or digital information systems that impress with their intuitive operation and realistic presentation. (heh)

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.