Google Ventures Supports Startup Bringing Mixed Reality to Car Windshields and Plane Cockpits

In September 2024, Distance Technologies, a Helsinki-based startup, secured €10 million ($11.1 million) in seed funding led by GV (Google Ventures), the venture capital arm of Alphabet. The company is pioneering a groundbreaking mixed-reality (MR) technology that transforms transparent surfaces, such as car windshields and airplane cockpits, into augmented reality (AR) displays.

The innovation eliminates the need for headsets or AR glasses, instead relying on software-driven optics that overlay 3D digital objects directly onto the user’s view. This creates immersive, real-time experiences with “infinite” pixel depth, making it suitable for automotive, aerospace, and defense industries.

The system works by tracking the user’s eye movements and computing light fields to display images precisely where the user is looking. Unlike traditional heads-up displays, Distance’s solution can cover the entire surface of a transparent display, providing an unrestricted field of view. This technology has potential applications ranging from improving safety in vehicles to enhancing cockpit navigation for fighter jets.

GV was attracted to Distance due to its ability to create next-generation user interfaces. According to GV principal Roni Hiranand, the technology’s potential for integration into automotive and aerospace markets could bring it to users sooner than other MR solutions.

Distance Technologies is transitioning from research to product development and plans to collaborate closely with industry partners to finalize specifications for its commercial launch. With this funding, the company aims to redefine how mixed reality interfaces integrate with transportation systems.

This investment reflects the growing trend of using AR and MR to create more intuitive interfaces in technology-driven industries. With the support of Google Ventures, Distance Technologies is poised to become a leader in the mixed-reality market, offering a safer and more immersive experience for users.