02. September 2019

ARQIS advised Volkswagen AG (“VW“) on the acquisition of a minority stake in the leading technology company SeeReal Technologies, based in Dresden and Luxembourg. The parties have agreed not to disclose the amount of the investment.

The investment promotes the Group’s access to groundbreaking augmented reality in the field of future display technologies for cars. The technology allows, for example, that potential road hazard situations are shown to the driver three-dimensionally in the environment, “tangible” displays in the driver’s environment rather than fittings, or that a conversation partner to appear as a hologram on the phone. Through the involvement, VW secures important know-how to make driving even safer and more comfortable in the future.

Dr. Axel Heinrich, Head of Volkswagen Group Innovation, says: “Augmented reality is a core component of future mobility and interaction concepts. For this reason, we are relying on key technologies such as holography, which represent this new reality in a fascinating way. For our part, we are contributing the “automotive” requirements to this exciting project, and SeeReal provides its know-how in 3D technology.”

SeeReal Technologies is a world leader in real-time holographic 3D (H3D) display technology. With a team of highly experienced experts SeeReal designs and develops next generation H3D display technology for any platform from mobile to TV and projection in HMD and HUD. H3D products are licensed and integrated together with display companies, consumer brands and high-end imaging companies. A research cooperation between VW and the technology company has existed since the end of 2018.

ARQIS ist bereits zum wiederholten Mal für VW tätig geworden. Es ist allerdings das erste Mal, dass ARQIS VW bei einer Transaktion beraten hat. Das Mandat geht zurück auf den federführenden Partner Dr. Lars Laeger, der im Rahmen eines Secondments auch einige Monate Inhouse in der Rechtsabteilung von VW gearbeitet hat.

Advisors to Volkswagen:

ARQIS Rechtsanwälte (Dusseldorf/Munich): Dr. Lars Laeger (lead, Corporate/M&A), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP/Compliance), Christian Wegener (Tax Law), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Saskia Kirschbaum (Labour Law); Associates: Malte Griepenburg (Corporate/M&A), Martin Weingärtner (Labour Law), Jennifer Huschauer (Real Estate), Sina Janke (IP)

Held Jaguttis (Cologne): Dr. Simeon Held, Dr. Malte Jaguttis (both Public Commercial Law/Regulatory)