Defense Visualization Leader Aechelon Technology Partners with Glasses-Free Visual AI Pioneer Distance Technologies for Developing Next Generation In-Flight Mixed Reality Simulations
20 January, 2025 – South San Francisco and Helsinki – Aechelon Technology, Inc., the the acknowledged leader in immersive visualization technology for defense and geo-specific visualization since 1998, today announced a strategic partnership with acclaimed Finnish mixed reality startup Distance Technologies Ltd.
Distance Technologies is a pioneer in panoramic, glasses-free light field-based mixed/augmented reality targeted at the defense market. The solution empowers users with contextual AI that will integrate seamlessly with Aechelon Technology’s state-of-the-art visualizations.
Distance transforms any transparent surface into a glasses- and headset-free window for experiencing next-generation augmented reality. Their innovation employs a computer-generated 3D light field that seamlessly blends with the real world, eliminating the need for headsets or glasses and ensuring a completely natural viewing experience without eye strain.
Together, Distance and Aechelon are developing the next generation of 3D mixed reality heads-up displays (HUDs) for advanced aerospace simulations. These cutting-edge simulations will occur in-flight and in real-time, marking a significant departure from traditional ground-based simulations that rely on projector dome visualization rooms or VR goggles.
Key Highlights of the Partnership:
- Creation of advanced aerospace training simulations that operate in mid-air and in-situ.
- Development of 3D mixed reality HUDs that revolutionize pilot and operator training.
- Enhanced defense use-cases, including real-time battlefield intelligence, target analysis, and in-flight augmented reality training.
The combined technology solution will deliver infinite per-pixel depth and covers the entire field of view, offering maximum immersion. The Distance solution is entirely independent of wearable devices, allowing users to look through transparent surfaces or screens to experience stunning mixed reality content with crystal clarity, perceived as profoundly natural—all enabled by Distance’s patented per-pixel optical depth capability.
The Distance light field solution seamlessly integrates data streams from various AI systems developed specifically for defense, translating them into actionable insights for human operators via its next-generation human-machine interface.
“Distance’s control at the optical light field level is a perfect match for our virtual pixels,” said Javier Castellar, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Aechelon Technology, Inc. “Aechelon ensures real-time, worldwide accurate matching of our earth digital twins in combination with Distance’s see-through technology for the defense market, reaching places and spaces where headsets or glasses can’t (or won’t) go. This collaboration could become the operating system of Human-AI interfaces, enabling intuitive decision-making for both training and mission-critical operations. We are proud to take this next step into the future with Distance and glasses-free augmented reality at the edge.”
“This collaboration is a testament to Distance’s development prowess and focus on positioning ourselves at the forefront of defense technology,” said Urho Konttori, CEO and Co-Founder of Distance Technologies, Oy. “Our partnership with Aechelon introduces a completely natural way to view tactical or simulation data through windshields or viewports on the plane, without eyestrain or extra weight that compromises pilot or operator performance. Together, we are creating tactically accurate battlefield simulations that redefine what’s possible.”
About Aechelon Technology:
Aechelon Technology, Inc. is a Sagewind Capital platform company focused on image and data generation products for visual simulation and visualization, and is a leading provider of real-time computer graphics solutions for training, simulation and visualization for defense and commercial applications. The Company specializes in COTS-based, high-resolution, multi-channel, geo-specific image generators, out-the-window (OTW) displays, and correlated worldwide sensor databases, along with comprehensive integration services. Aechelon Technology is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA. Please visit www.aechelon.com for more information.
About Distance Technologies:
Distance Technologies Ltd (Helsinki) is pioneering the world’s first true glasses-free XR solution, made for the automotive, aerospace and defense sectors. Distance can transform virtually any transparent surface into a window for extended reality with a computer-generated 3D light field that mixes with the real world, offering flawless per-pixel depth and covering the entire field of view for maximum immersion. This integration brings together the synthetic and real worlds into a seamless whole, designed to blend naturally into our daily journeys – all without the need for bulky headsets or other wearable hardware. With its groundbreaking technology, Distance is paving the way for wider adoption of contextual AI in everyday life. Our name, Distance, reflects our mission: to inspire the world’s movement and bridge the gap between humans and technology, the present and the possible, the visible and the invisible. Learn more at distance.tech.