First Holographic Navigation System for U.S. Drivers

GPS may have taken a quick leap into the future with a holographic navigation system that utilizes innovative telematics devices that apply aerospace technology to land navigation.

WayRay Navion is an augmented reality navigation system that is designed to project holographic GPS imagery and driver notifications onto the windshield of a car, a first-of-its-kind for the automobile aftermarket. WayRay Element is a smart tracker that can be plugged into the diagnostics port of any automobile for monitoring driver performance, safety and fuel efficiency.

The solutions arrive courtesy of WayRay, a Swiss startup dedicated to the advancement of connected car telematics, and Orange Business Services, a B2B global telecom operator and IT solutions integrator.   Orange Business Services is supplying wireless connectivity and service management across WayRay’s entire U.S. fleet.

This allows cars employing WayRay Navion and WayRay Element to receive, send, track and display data. The scope of Orange’s international network ensures 24/7 access and quality of service anywhere in the U.S. with an option that would allow WayRay to easily expand to other regions of the world, such as Asia and Europe.

“These devices represent a giant leap forward in the concept of the connected car,” said Vitaly Ponomarev, Founder & CEO of WayRay. “We’ve adapted cutting-edge aerospace R&D in augmented reality and analytics into easy-to-use commercial devices, and thanks to Orange Business Services we can cover any automobile in the United States. This is real innovation that can change the way cars are driven in the U.S., save lives and bring us one step closer to self-driving automobiles.”

Here’s how it works.

A small mini projector that fits on top of any dashboard overlays a holographic image over the windshield of the car. The image overlays the real road with the virtual route line — it helps drivers not to refocus their eyes to the windshield or to be distracted by looking to their embedded GPS.

The device utilizes gesture and voice control for an effortless driving experience.   WayRay Element is essentially a “wearable for your car.” It plugs into the on-board diagnostics (OBD) connector of any car model after 1992 to track driver performance, trip history, costs, fuel usage, location and the overall health of the automobile.

This information is all visualized and made accessible through ones smartphone, tablet or PC. Built into the device is an automated driving coach app that analyzes the data to offer steps for improving driving skills.

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