Swave HXR Holographic Display Chipset

Swave Photonics was founded in 2022 as a spin-out of the imec research institute, with Swave B.V. in Leuven, Belgium and Swave Photonics Inc. in Redmond, Washington. It develops chipsets for spatial computing, aiming to make augmented reality glasses light, low-cost and comfortable to wear all day.

Its Holographic eXtended Reality (HXR) technology uses diffractive photonics on standard CMOS chips with what the company calls the world's smallest pixel (NanoPixel Holography) to form true 3D holograms. Because the hologram is generated directly by the chip, HXR removes the need for a waveguide used in many AR displays. The company reports achieving a true-colour holographic display and is preparing product development kits, followed by production devices, for makers of AI-powered smart glasses and head-up displays.

• HXR chipset: holographic display chip for AR and spatial computing devices.
• NanoPixel holography: very small pixels on a CMOS chip to steer light.
• Waveguide-free optics: the chip forms the hologram directly for the viewer.
• True colour: the company reports a true-colour holographic display.
• Development kits: product development kits planned for device manufacturers.
• CMOS manufacturing: built on standard semiconductor processes for scale.

Electronics manufacturers in Vietnam that assemble wearables can evaluate HXR kits for future smart-glasses lines. Industrial training and maintenance providers can prototype holographic AR guidance. Automotive suppliers can explore holographic head-up display concepts.

Removing the waveguide can make AR glasses lighter and simpler to build. Using standard CMOS processes gives a cost-effective and scalable path to volume manufacturing. True 3D holograms show content at natural depth, which can reduce eye strain compared with flat stereo images. Planned development kits will let device makers start integration before mass production.

AI assistants are driving a new wave of smart glasses, and device makers want displays that are smaller, lighter and more power-efficient. Holography is one path beyond current waveguide-based AR displays. Asia, including Southeast Asia, hosts much of the consumer electronics assembly that will build these devices.

Founded in 2022 as an imec spin-out; offices in Leuven, Belgium and Redmond, Washington, USA. Raised a €10M seed round (2023), a €27M Series A (January 2025) and a €6M follow-on from IAG Capital Partners and Samsung Ventures (2025). HXR received a CES 2025 Innovation Award.