A Finnish startup, Distance Technologies, is revolutionizing battlefield awareness with a new technology that replaces traditional screens and headsets with mixed reality windshields in armored vehicles.
The Helsinki-based startup Distance Technologies is collaborating with the defense firm Patria to produce a glasses-free display. This display will project real-time, 3D tactical data directly onto a vehicle’s windshield.
Without the need for special eyewear, this system displays layered digital information by using artificial intelligence and eye tracking to adjust to the user’s line of sight. Unlike standard heads-up displays, Distance’s technology offers what is called an infinite pixel depth, allowing digital objects to appear in the correct spatial context and blend seamlessly with reality.
With funding from the Finnish government, the project will be integrated into Patria’s six-wheel drive defense vehicles as part of its eALLIANCE initiative. The goal is to test the technology in real military operations by 2027.
Distance’s design eliminates external light leakage, preventing the vehicle from being visually detected by screen light, a common risk with digital cockpit devices. The technology was initially developed for the automotive industry to ensure cost-effective mass production before its application in defense.
The MR technology transforms any transparent surface into a display by combining computer-generated visuals with the real environment through the use of light field optics that adjust to the viewer’s position and eye movement. Tested on aircraft, including fighter jets, the technology is now being adapted for armored vehicles.
Patria, a producer of defense systems and armored vehicles for Nordic and EU forces, emphasizes that this partnership highlights its dedication to developing national capabilities in AI and sensor fusion.
A MR windshield prototype that was built onto a Patria 6×6 chassis was on exhibit in Arlington, Virginia. The final version is expected to be far more advanced by 2027.
This collaboration occurs amid increasing defense spending in Europe. Recently, Germany approved a €500 billion fund for military and infrastructure investment, intensifying calls for enhanced technological readiness in defense across the continent.
About Distance Technologies
Distance Technologies, founded in Helsinki in 2024, is a startup focused on innovative display solutions. It specializes in mixed reality technology that replaces traditional screens with windshield displays in vehicles, offering real-time 3D tactical data without the need for glasses. The company aims to revolutionize battlefield awareness and has partnered with defense firm Patria to integrate its technology into armored vehicles.
