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Backed by MIT, this startup has a dazzling alternative to VR headsets
“We want to be the Nividia of light,” said Barmak Heshmat, CEO and founder of Brelyon. This startup produces desktop monitors that offer image depth, which allows users to have an illusion of three-dimensionality or depth on the screen, making the visuals seem more lifelike and layered. An image with a good sense of depth can pull the viewer into the content, whether it's a movie, a game, or a photograph. It gives a more immersive experience, making you feel like you're "in" the scene rather than just looking at it. That’s what Brelyon desires to build.
Heshmat himself boasts a deep expertise in screen technology. His academic prowess shines through with a Master's in Optical Sciences from Isfahan University of Technology and a postdoctoral program in photonics from MIT. During his research time at MIT, he delved deeply into the realm of scientific imaging. He pioneered research in optical methodologies, notably utilizing a mirror box setup. Eager to bring technologies to life, Heshmat wants to do practical products and decided to join a startup called Meta, one of Y combinator portfolios.
During that time, Heshmat led the team of optics and design engineers at the company, working on the AR headsets. He then managed to reduce the form factor of the headset to 40% and increase the field of view by 100% while improving the image quality. But AR or VR headsets still have a long way to go.
Playing VR comes with the notorious side effect — motion sickness. More than 66% of VR users quit using VR goggles within 20 minutes due to motion sickness, according to Ginux statistics reports. Not choosing the path of VR goggles like plenty of giant companies do, Heshmat decided to make an especially designated screen that also realizes panorama. He believes that people in the future would prefer a comfy environment with no devices or headsets required. That’s when Brelyon started, Heshmat developed the screen prototype for the first six months, living on his savings.
Later, the startup was funded by the MIT E14 fund, an investment fund focused on taking the biggest ideas hatched at MIT and helping the team spin-off. The company's primary innovation, termed "Ultra Reality," employs advanced wavefront engineering to produce an expansive field of view that offers genuine optical depth. This results in a display that fully encompasses your visual range. With spatial audio, the system also incorporates cameras to monitor your head movements, adjusting the displayed content in real time to enhance immersion.
Brelyon set up its Taiwanese office for high-quality glass suppliers
In order to make the best screen, Brelyon came all the way to Taichung, Taiwan to find the glass suppliers. Kevin Ting, Director of Production and Supply Chain at Brelyon, also previously at Meta, is originally from Taichung and helps establish the whole supply chain to do new types of optical devices mass production.
“Taiwan is essential to Brelyon,” said Heshmat. It logistically and economically makes more sense to open the office in Taichung, as the team would work closely with the vendors and assemble the innovative screen, according to the company. The startup also has 75% of the engineering talents based in Taiwan, developing display technology. Moreover, startup programs in Taiwan such as Taiwan Tech Arena(TTA) and Garage+ also helped them set up and introduced them to the ecosystem.
Brelyon has firmly established its mark on the global stage, aspiring to be the "NVIDIA of light". The company went into the global market with 43 units delivered, partnerships spanning 34 entities, and 14 solid contracts under its belt. Particularly in Europe, Brelyon caters to a varied customer base, including Franklin and Velocity Esports.
The company's offerings are tailored to a wide spectrum of audiences, highlighting its versatility. For businesses, Brelyon's technology transforms simulation training, presenting the potential to replace a significant portion of traditional setups. Notably, this solution is 10 times more compact and 20 times more cost-effective compared to traditional corporate training, negating the need for a dedicated dark room. The applications are diverse: from flight simulation for aviation industries and immersive experiences for gaming companies.
Brelyon's products stand out for their capability to project virtual images that surpass the actual physical setup size, making them accessible for enterprise gaming, training modules, and control centers.
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