IDTechEx predicts that the space computing optics market will exceed US$5 billion by 2034

BOSTON, Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — AR and VR (augmented and virtual reality) headsets are poised to emerge as the next big category of computing devices. Mixed reality-enabled VR headsets like Meta’s Quest 3 and the upcoming Apple Vision Pro demonstrate the true power of spatial computing. VR headsets for home gaming have sold in the millions, while AR glasses have carved out a niche for themselves in the industry. Optics is a major hurdle to overcome to pave the way for true ubiquity for these XR (eXtended Reality) devices.

AR headsets are transparent to the real world and require optical combiners to superimpose virtual information on the real world: these specialized optics required by AR headsets have so far proven to be a stumbling block for the industry. An industry of specialist, often fabless, optical companies has emerged to solve this problem, offering a diverse range of technologies to headset manufacturers equally active in this area.

VR headsets are optically closed off from the real world, requiring lenses to magnify their screens and focus them at a comfortable distance for the user. A transition to more compact pancake lens architectures is on track in 2023, but these still leave unresolved issues that prevent full VR immersion. Proposing solutions to the vergence-accommodation conflict is the next battleground, with millions of dollars in R&D being devoted to finding solutions.

IDTechEx’s new report, “Optics for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality 2024-2034: Technologies, Players and Markets,” outlines the innovation path expected to drive growth in the XR optics industry at a CAGR of 23% from 2024 to 2034. It covers optical combiners and waveguides for augmented reality and lenses for virtual reality, with additional emphasis on prescription correction and guide encapsulation waveforms and the specialized optical materials industry supporting these technologies. Key themes across technologies, including maximizing the field of view and eye box, resolving the vergence-accommodation conflict, and efforts to improve color rendering, are discussed and compared. The activities of headset companies and ecosystem facilitators, end-user demands and other broader market forces are highlighted. Technologies likely to dominate the market are identified with detailed justification, giving a clear idea of ​​the future development of the industry.

Thirteen distinct classes of XR optical technology are analyzed in detail, including surface relief grating diffractive waveguides, holographic waveguides, reflective waveguides, birdbath combiners, lenses Fresnel lenses, pancake lenses and geometric phase lens arrays. This analysis includes:

• In-depth discussion on technology and market, tracking innovations, trends and players. Includes market case studies.
• Benchmark on 12 technological and commercial factors.
• 10-year forecasts for adoption, units sold, and revenue for each technology in VR and AR FoV narrow/wide.

Additionally, global forecasts for 2024-2034 for the VR and AR headset sectors that constitute the market for these display technologies are provided, along with historical data. Additionally, high-level demand forecasts for specialty optical materials intended to serve this market are provided, with key potential opportunities provided. Conclusions on the future development of the XR optics market are identified.

This report is part of IDTechEx’s broader XR portfolio, including “Displays for virtual, augmented and mixed reality 2024-2034: forecasts, technologies, markets” And “Micro-LED screens 2024-2034: technology, marketing, opportunities, market and players“. It updates the already comprehensive 2022 edition of the report with an even deeper market view of this rapidly evolving industry, including a substantial improvement in benchmarking methodology, analysis of the rapid rise of pancake lenses in VR and an expanded discussion of waveguide manufacturing processes. and correction of prescriptions in AR.

IDTechEx’s methodology involved extensive primary and secondary research, with a key focus on interviews with executives and engineers within the broader display and XR ecosystems, in addition to attending major conferences including the CES, SID Display Week, Laval Virtual and AWE Europe. It provides 29 company profiles as well as other case studies on important developments in the world of XR optics.

Unique position and experience behind this report

IDTechEx has been covering the VR, AR and MR industry since 2015, staying close to technical and market developments, interviewing key players around the world, attending numerous conferences and carrying out multiple consulting projects. IDTechEx’s long history in this area has given it a unique ability to organize a network within this space, strengthening its analysis in this report.

The IDTechEx report comprehensively evaluates the VR, AR and MR optics market, assessing the different constituent technologies, potential barriers to adoption and the difficulties of competing in this crowded space. IDTechEx also develops granular 10-year market forecasts and assessments of the potential for success of covered technologies, as well as supporting high-level hardware demands. This analysis includes:

Technology Trends and Player Analysis

– An introduction to the VR, AR and MR headset market, including analysis of key trends, expected market entry of key players and assessment of the competitive landscape.

– Introduction to the optical requirements of XR devices, including the differences between device categories.

– For thirteen distinct technologies of optical combiners and lenses, technological background, expected innovations, analysis of important players, overview of the ecosystem. A discussion of other technologies is also included.

– 29 company profiles included, including interviews.

– Updates from 2023 conferences including AWE Europe, SID Display Week, Laval Virtual and CES.

Market Forecasts and Analysis

– Granular 10-year market volume and revenue forecasts for the following, including historical and storytelling database:

• Global headset market (VR including MR compatible devices, AR including MR compatible devices).
• Combiners for AR, divided into 9 technology classes. AR devices are divided into narrow and wide field of view.
• Lenses for VR, divided into 4 different technologies.

– 10-year forecast of high-level material demand for specialty optical materials, with key opportunities identified.

Benchmarking the above optical technologies on 12 business and technology factors, with quantitative assessment of application suitability for narrow and wide AR FoV devices and VR headsets.

To learn more about the new IDTechEx report “Optics for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality 2024-2034: Technologies, Players and Markets”, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/ARVROptics. For the full portfolio of research available from IDTechEx, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research.

IDTechEx offers other expert-led data, analysis and insights via bespoke subscription services – learn more about www.IDTechEx.com/Subscriptions.

Next free webinar
A vision of the future of optics for AR and VR

Sam Dale, senior technology analyst at IDTechEx and author of this article, will present a free webinar on the topic on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – A vision of the future of optics for AR and VR.

This webinar will cover the following topics:

• Overview of how the evolving XR camera market has driven new requirements for XR optics
• Development Outlook of AR Waveguide Combiner Industry, with Key Innovations Highlighted
• Analysis of the rapid growth of pancake lenses in VR and identification of technologies that could replace them
• Overview of the latest ten-year market forecast for XR optics, predicting technology winners and the suitability of optics types for different segments of the XR camera market

Click here to register your place on one of the three available sessions.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its research, subscription and consulting products, helping you take advantage of emerging technologies. For more information, contact search@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

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