NGEAR 3D · Project

AR Glasses That Let Surgeons See 3D Medical Images Without Eye Strain

healthTestedTRL 7

You know how wearing VR or AR headsets makes your eyes tired and gives you headaches after a while? That's because current devices trick your brain into seeing depth, but your eyes can't actually focus naturally — especially up close. This team in Latvia built AR glasses using special liquid-crystal layers that create real 3D images floating in space, the way a hologram would. That means surgeons and doctors can wear them for hours during operations or diagnostics without discomfort, finally making AR practical for healthcare.

By the numbers

EUR 2,253,125

EU funding for development

<500 microseconds

Liquid-crystal optical switching speed

3 SME partners

All-industry consortium

100%

Industry partner ratio in consortium

2 years

Project duration (2020-2022)

The business problem

What needed solving

Current AR and VR headsets cause eye strain, fatigue, and nausea — especially during close-up work — because of a fundamental optical flaw called the vergence-accommodation conflict. This makes them unusable for surgeons, radiologists, and other medical professionals who need to wear them for hours during procedures. Hospitals and medical training centers are stuck waiting for AR to become practical before they can adopt image-guided surgery at scale.

The solution

What was built

The project developed the NGEAR 3D — a compact, lightweight, multi-focal AR headset using proprietary liquid-crystal optical switcher elements that create true volumetric 3D images. Documented deliverables include a project video demonstrating the technology and an updated project webpage showcasing the product portfolio and competitive advantage.

Audience

Who needs this

Medical device distributors looking for next-gen surgical visualization productsHospital surgical departments evaluating image-guided surgery solutionsMedical simulation and training companies needing comfortable extended-use ARRehabilitation clinics exploring AR-based patient recovery toolsRadiology departments seeking better 3D diagnostic imaging displays

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical device distribution

mid-size

Target: Medical equipment distributors and surgical technology resellers

If you are a medical device distributor looking for the next generation of surgical visualization tools — this project developed AR glasses with volumetric 3D display technology that eliminates eye strain during near-work. The NGEAR 3D headset runs on proprietary liquid-crystal optical elements switching in under 500 microseconds, enabling comfortable use during long surgical procedures. Adding this to your portfolio positions you ahead of competitors still selling stereoscopic displays with known comfort limitations.

Medical education and simulation

any

Target: Medical training centers and simulation companies

If you run a medical training facility struggling with trainees who can only use AR simulators for short sessions due to eye fatigue — this project built a multi-focal AR headset specifically designed for extended use. The binocular design fits comfortably and produces holographic-quality 3D imagery ideal for anatomy visualization and pre-procedural planning. With EUR 2,253,125 in EU funding behind the development, the core technology has been validated for healthcare-grade requirements.

Hospital systems and surgical departments

enterprise

Target: Hospital procurement departments and surgical innovation leads

If you manage a hospital looking to adopt image-guided surgery but current AR headsets cause staff complaints about eye strain and nausea — this project addresses exactly that problem. The NGEAR 3D headset solves the vergence-accommodation conflict that makes existing devices unsuitable for near-work in operating rooms. According to the project data, adoption of this technology improves surgeon efficiency and reduces time required for operations, leading to more patients receiving treatment sooner.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would this technology cost a hospital to adopt?

The project data does not disclose unit pricing for the NGEAR 3D headset. The EU contributed EUR 2,253,125 to fund development across 3 partner companies over 2 years. Based on available project data, pricing would need to be discussed directly with the coordinator, SIA LightSpace Technologies.

Can this scale to equip an entire surgical department?

The core technology uses proprietary liquid-crystal optical switcher elements that can be manufactured as stackable components. The consortium is 100% industry partners (3 SMEs), suggesting the team is commercially oriented. Based on available project data, manufacturing scalability details would need to be confirmed with the developer.

What is the IP situation — can we license or OEM this technology?

The core technology — liquid-crystal optical elements switchable in under 500 microseconds — is proprietary to LightSpace Technologies. The project was funded under the EIC SME Instrument (Phase 2), which typically keeps IP with the company. Licensing or OEM arrangements would need direct negotiation with the coordinator.

Does this meet medical device regulations for use in surgery?

The project objective describes the headset for surgical and diagnostic use, but the available deliverable data does not include specific regulatory certifications (CE marking, MDR compliance). Based on available project data, regulatory status should be verified directly with LightSpace Technologies before procurement planning.

How long has this technology been in development?

The EU-funded project ran from July 2020 to June 2022 (2 years). LightSpace Technologies existed before this grant and has an established product portfolio in volumetric display technology. The NGEAR 3D project specifically targeted the healthcare application of their core display technology.

Can this integrate with existing hospital imaging systems?

The objective describes the headset as designed for medical imaging, surgical visualization, and radiologic diagnostics, which implies compatibility with standard medical imaging formats. Based on available project data, specific integration protocols and compatible systems are not detailed in the deliverables.

Is there clinical evidence that this improves surgical outcomes?

The project objective states that the technology improves surgeon efficiency and reduces time, risks, and medical complications of operations. However, the available deliverables (project video and project webpage) do not include published clinical trial data. Evidence of clinical validation should be requested from the coordinator.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a tightly focused, all-industry consortium of 3 SME partners, all based in Latvia, with a 100% industry ratio and zero academic or research institution involvement. That's unusual and telling — it signals a commercially driven project rather than a research exercise. The coordinator, SIA LightSpace Technologies, is a private company with an existing product line in volumetric displays. The EUR 2,253,125 EU contribution through the EIC SME Instrument Phase 2 confirms this was funded as a close-to-market commercialization effort. For a potential business partner, this means you'd be dealing with a company already structured for product delivery, not a university lab still figuring out technology transfer.

EUROLCDS SIAthirdparty · LV

How to reach the team

SIA LightSpace Technologies is based in Latvia. SciTransfer can locate the right contact person and arrange an introduction.

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing, distribution, or integration of the NGEAR 3D technology? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the LightSpace Technologies team and prepare a tailored briefing for your use case.

Order a report on this topic More in Health & Biomedical