WayRay Holograktor Is A Ride-Hailing Car For The Metaverse Which Can Be Driven Remotely

WayRay, a deep-tech automotive supplier company based in Zurich, Switzerland, launched their first concept car, incorporating their holographic True AR (augmented reality) glazing technology. The WayRay Holograktor is dubbed as a “Metaverse” device on wheels, envisioning the future of ride-hailing with the options of being driven conventionally or remotely.

Starting from the exterior design, the Holograktor is a five-door hatchback with surfacing inspired by Russian constructivism. The triangular, prism-like forms are a nod to the Russian background of both the CEO, Vitaly Ponomarev, and designer Sasha Selipanov whose portfolio includes the Lamborghini Huracán, Genesis Essentia, Bugatti Chiron, and Koenigsegg Gemera.

The goal of the design team was to combine a spacious interior with a “well-proportioned exterior” that is compatible with “all current and approaching regulations”. Thus, while the concept incorporates futuristic technology, it looks street legal and production-ready.

Other interesting exterior design features of the Holograktor include the aerodynamic 22-inch wheels, the laser lights, the suicide doors, and the shrimp-shaped structure on the roof. The latter is incorporating the hardware for the holographic system’s technology which is the main focus of the concept car and we’ll explain in a second. The front doors open upwards while the rear-hinged rear doors integrate the B-pillars and part of the roof allowing for easier access to the 2+1 seat layout.

See Also: Honda Scanned Drivers’ Brains To Develop Advanced Future Safety Technologies

Inside the cabin is where the fun begins. The single seat at the back was inspired by the fact that more than 80% of Uber trips were for a single person. Each of the three passengers has access to his/her own screen, several holographic Deep Reality Displays, and joystick controls for gaming or interacting with the technology.

Thanks to an array of cameras, radar, mapping, sensor suits, 5G compatibility, and satellite internet, the car can be driven remotely by a qualified driver, making it a perfect fit for any ride-hailing business. According to WayRay, this feature is allowing the passengers to “relax without relying on immature autonomous-driving systems”. When the car is being driven remotely, the steering wheel retracts to a groove in the dashboard.

See Also: Volvo Invests In Tech Company Working On Thin Film Screens That Could Revolutionize HUDs

The founder and CEO Vitaly Ponomarev said: “The idea is that you can choose Uber Black, Uber SUV, or Uber Holograktor. And if you choose the Holograktor, your ride will be subsidized by sponsored content so that the price will be much lower”.

Naturally, the concept car is fully electric. WayRay doesn’t specify the battery capacity but it claims the Holograktor has a 372-mile (599 km) range. The electric motors of undisclosed power output are good for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).

The Holograktor was designed to showcase WayRay’s True AR holographic technology, which could find its way into production in one way or another. Among the companies that made early investments in WayRay are Porsche, Hyundai, and Alibaba. In the past, WayRay’s holographic systems were integrated by concept cars like the 2016 Rinspeed Oasis, and the 2021 Pininfarina Teorema.