Distance and Patria-led eALLIANCE Collaborate on Next-Generation Mixed Reality HUDs for Patria’s Acclaimed 6x6 Defence Vehicles - Turning Windshields into Real-Time 3D and AI Tactical Data Screens Without XR Glasses

Distance Enables Unprecedented Battlespace Awareness for Situational Readiness in Low-Visibility Environments

20 March 2025 - Helsinki - Distance Technologies Oy - a pioneering developer of glasses-free eXtended Reality (XR) designed for the defence market and empowering users with contextual AI - today announced a new collaboration with the Patria-led eALLIANCE programme and Patria, one of Europe’s leading defence and technology companies with more than 100 years of experience.

The initial design parameters for the collaboration are to utilize advanced sensor fusion for use in low-visibility battlefield environments such as darkness and/or smoke. Patria and Distance will create a unique solution designed for real-time tactical situations and utilizing the patented Distance XR light field and digital optics technology to achieve unprecedented situational awareness combined with exceptional low-light visual acuity.

Distance will specifically enable a constant stream of real-time 3D tactical information, terrain data and more - all fused with military AI data streams and completely viewable through the windshield without additional hardware or optics. This is achieved without betraying the vehicle and its occupants to the enemy due to overt light leakage.

The Distance 3D-optimized data will be further designed to inform on and penetrate a wide range of visually-challenging conditions to enhance mission operation and success. Eliminating the need to look down (or through a separate screen) and without being forced to wear a weighty headset or glasses, both drivers and commanders alike can now look directly through the windshield and safely see in darkness or low-visibility environments, while further benefiting from complete tactical awareness.

The new collaboration between Patria and Distance is achieved through Patria’s eALLIANCE programme, which is funded by Business Finland as a means to amplify and supercharge Finnish civil and defence sector companies through the disruptive digital-physical fusion of mechanical capabilities with data sharing. More information on the eALLIANCE programme can be found here: https://www.patriagroup.com/about-us/research-and-innovations/ealliance-securing-societies

“Distance is proud to partner with the finest defence companies in the world and Patria truly has a best-in-class tactical vehicle - with the 6x6 as one of many in their comprehensive offering," said Urho Konttori, CEO and co-founder of Distance Technologies, Oy. “As a fellow Finnish innovator, we are honored to be working with Patria on next-generation heads-up-displays that enable both 3D night vision and situational awareness of battlefield data without the need for weighty goggles or headsets. Through our patented technology, we are able to give drivers “super-sensing” abilities using the Distance glasses-free mixed reality solution. Creating XR HUDs that visualize mission-critical information on the windshield for unprecedented speed, confidence and decision-making ability on the battlefields of the future is an important validation of Distance's ability to disrupt the land vehicle defence sector.” 

“As a leading technology company in our industry and an established defence solutions provider, Patria has always prided itself on creating new and innovative vehicles and partnerships that significantly benefit mission safety,” said Matti Saarikko, CTO Patria. “By incorporating truly disruptive technologies such as Distance into the acclaimed and proven design of Patria 6x6, we will be able to continue our mission of offering unmatched vehicle solutions for battlefield superiority. Together within Business Finland’s eALLIANCE programme, we are able to move with unprecedented speed to create joint solutions that can radically improve the experience of our future customers.”

About Patria 6x6: Patria’s 6x6 vehicle is built on the heritage of Patria’s iconic armored wheeled vehicles, used in various peacekeeping and crises management missions while transporting soldiers around the world through several decades.

The Patria 6x6 is both modular and high-performance while simple, robust and affordable, providing both modern protection and high mobility. Patria 6x6’s modular design allows for a wide variety of specific configurations across diverse missions. Patria 6x6 is the perfect choice for both troop transportation and combat support roles.

An intuitive, truck-like user interface, good visibility and internal volume make the vehicle easy to train and operate. The Patria 6x6 offers unprecedented affordability with low costs throughout the long-expected service life of more than 30 years.  Learn more at: www.patriagroup.com/products-and-services/protected-mobility-and-defence-systems/vehicles/patria-6x6

About Distance Technologies:
Distance Technologies Oy (Helsinki) is pioneering the world’s first true glasses-free XR solution, made for the automotive and aerospace sectors and extending beyond. 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 https://distance.tech.