WayRay, a deep-tech automotive supplier company based in Zurich, Switzerland, launched their first concept car, incorporating their holographic True AR (augmented reality) glazing technology. The WayRay Holograktor is dubbed as a “Metaverse” device on wheels, envisioning the future of ride-hailing with the options of being driven conventionally or remotely.
Starting from the exterior design, the
Holograktor is a five-door hatchback with surfacing inspired by Russian
constructivism. The triangular, prism-like forms are a nod to the Russian
background of both the CEO, Vitaly Ponomarev, and designer Sasha Selipanov
whose portfolio includes the Lamborghini Huracán, Genesis Essentia, Bugatti
Chiron, and Koenigsegg Gemera.
The goal of the design team was to combine
a spacious interior with a “well-proportioned exterior” that is compatible with
“all current and approaching regulations”. Thus, while the concept incorporates
futuristic technology, it looks street legal and production-ready.
Other interesting exterior design features
of the Holograktor include the aerodynamic 22-inch wheels, the laser lights,
the suicide doors, and the shrimp-shaped structure on the roof. The latter is
incorporating the hardware for the holographic system’s technology which is the
main focus of the concept car and we’ll explain in a second. The front doors
open upwards while the rear-hinged rear doors integrate the B-pillars and part
of the roof allowing for easier access to the 2+1 seat layout.
Inside the cabin is where the fun begins.
The single seat at the back was inspired by the fact that more than 80% of Uber
trips were for a single person. Each of the three passengers has access to
his/her own screen, several holographic Deep Reality Displays, and joystick
controls for gaming or interacting with the technology.
Thanks to an array of cameras, radar,
mapping, sensor suits, 5G compatibility, and satellite internet, the car can be
driven remotely by a qualified driver, making it a perfect fit for any
ride-hailing business. According to WayRay, this feature is allowing the
passengers to “relax without relying on immature autonomous-driving systems”.
When the car is being driven remotely, the steering wheel retracts to a groove
in the dashboard.
Naturally, the concept car is fully
electric. WayRay doesn’t specify the battery capacity but it claims the
Holograktor has a 599 km range. The electric motors of undisclosed
power output are good for a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.9 seconds
and a top speed of 200 km/h.
The Holograktor was designed to showcase
WayRay’s True AR holographic technology, which could find its way into
production in one way or another. Among the companies that made early
investments in WayRay are Porsche, Hyundai, and Alibaba. In the past, WayRay’s
holographic systems were integrated by concept cars like the 2016 Rinspeed
Oasis, and the 2021 Pininfarina Teorema.
