Dynamic Multilayer Mixed Reality Displays

In Augmented Reality (AR), the vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC) is a significant challenge. This conflict arises when the fixed distance of a display’s image plane does not match the distance at which a user is focusing, leading to conflicting visual cues, increased eye fatigue, and reduced performance. Many display designs try to reduce VAC by enhancing the contrast of objects in focus, but they often rely on imprecise eye tracking or exist only as large, benchtop prototypes. To overcome these limitations while keeping the design wearable and effective over a wide range of viewing distances, Christoph and the TU Graz research team have developed dynamic multilayer mixed reality displays. These displays combine the strengths of layered and varifocal technologies, using eye tracking to align the display layers with the user’s current focus point. By shifting the active viewing zone based on where the user is looking, this approach helps compensate for inaccuracies in focus distance estimation and supports a large workspace. In this webinar, Christoph will review his previous research on dynamic multilayer displays, showcasing the concept with three wearable prototypes that each highlight a unique aspect of the Mixed Reality Spectrum. Constructed with standard components, these prototypes also feature novel algorithms - from methods that generate images at various focus levels to real-time computation of display patterns. Finally, he will discuss future research directions and the potential for integrating these systems into commercial AR solutions. Attendees will gain insights into: * How layered mixed reality displays address the vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC), * How the prototypes are being implemented in commercial solutions, and * How the inventions have stimulated work in the TU Graz lab as well as in other groups, and * When the technological approach described in the webinar will be available for use in enterprise use cases.