01. April 2019

EDL Rethschulte Acquires REALEYES 3D Technology

Image of an illuminated walkway lens

Osnabrück/Aachen – EDL Rethschulte GmbH, an engineering services provider of the FEV Group, has acquired the business and all commercial property right of REALEYES^TMTechnology. REALEYES (www.real-eyes.de) was founded in Kiel (Germany) in 2006. The company develops, produces, and markets a patented technology that makes it possible to display 3D graphics and logos “in front” of a screen – without any further tools (such as 3D glasses) being necessary.

Using its expertise, EDL Rethschulte plans to further develop the 3D technology for the automotive sector and to expand the team around REALEYES founders, Felix von Laffert and Philipp von Trotha. To that end, manufacturing of the micro-optical components will be integrated into EDL Rethschulte GmbH at its headquarters in Osnabrück and the REALEYES brand will be maintained under the umbrella of EDL.

At the technology center in Georgsmarienhütte, next to Osnabrück (Germany), not only is the REALEYES product constantly improved and verified, but so is the innovative production technology behind it. This ensures the rapid implementation of prototypes and the production of small serial batches.

“By taking this strategic step, EDL will further expand its expertise in the field of micro-optical components,” says Dieter Rethschulte, Managing Director of EDL. Martin Müller, in charge of the Micro-Optical Elements and Systems Division at EDL, adds, “greater freedom in optical design will lead to a wider range of applications for our technologies. By manufacturing micro-optics of up to one square meter on a large scale and then dividing them into smaller units measuring just a few square centimeters, we lower production costs when dealing with large volumes. This will clear the way for innovations in the area of lighting for the mass automotive market.”

About EDL
EDL Rethschulte GmbH is a service provider in the field of electronic, roof, and lighting systems development and was founded in 2009 in Osnabrück in the German state of Lower Saxony. The company has other facilities in Munich and Jena and currently has over 50 employees. It has been part of the FEV Group since 2018.

About FEV

FEV has always pushed the limits.
FEV is a globally leading engineering provider in the automotive industry and internationally recognized leader of innovation across different sectors and industries. Professor Franz Pischinger laid the foundations by combining his background in academia and engineering with a great vision for continual progress. The company has supplied solutions and strategy consulting to the world's largest automotive OEMs and has supported customers through the entire transportation and mobility ecosystem.

As the world continues to evolve, so does FEV.
That’s why FEV is unleashing its technological and strategic expertise into other areas. It applies its forward thinking to the energy sector. And its software and system know-how will enable the company to lead the way making intelligent solutions available to everyone. FEV brings together the brightest minds from different backgrounds and specialties to find new solutions for both current and future challenges.

But FEV won’t stop there.
Looking ahead, FEV continues to push the limits of innovation. With its highly qualified >7300 employees at more than 40 locations globally, FEV imagines solutions that don’t just meet today’s needs but tomorrow’s. Ultimately, FEV keeps evolving – to a better, cleaner future built on sustainable mobility, energy and software that drives everything. For the companies’ partners, its people and the world.
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