This foldable 2

With the secured funds, the team behind Splay got to action, solving complex supply chain challenges typical of such a one-of-a-kind product to ship the first version of Splay to its early backers. Taking their feedback into account, Arovia got ready with the next generation of the Splay, now on display at CES 2024.

A closer look at Splay's technology

With a screen size of 24.5 inches displaying a native resolution of 1920x1080 in a 16:9 aspect ratio, the Splay can present content even in environments brighter than most, thanks to a max brightness of 760 nits when in display mode. In contrast, the Splay offers 285 Lumens and up to 80 inches in projector mode. Content is displayed on the Splay using HDMI or the provided wireless HDMI adapter.

A 44 Wh battery lets the Splay do its magic for up to four hours, even with audio played through the built-in stereo speakers. The Splay can be charged with the included wall power adaptor, which plugs in via USB-C. A battery-bank mode lets users top up their phones or other USB devices in a pinch. 

What makes the Splay unique are two special abilities: folding to fit inside a small bag and being the most portable ultra-short throw projector on the market.

But how does it fold, you may wonder. In a conversation with Interesting Engineering, Wesley revealed that the key to the Splay is a fully flexible nanomaterial screen Arovia developed in collaboration with Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI), which enables a wrinkle-free, bright, and crisp image while being extremely durable and capable of being folded thousands of times.

The nanomaterial disperses projected light evenly, enhancing contrast and eliminating glare while being easy on the eye. The fully expandable screen allows the Splay to be folded in any direction, making the 2-in-1 display and projector the only one of its kind.

Well-engineered mechanics make the Splay durable while allowing users to set up and stow away the Splay with a one-step expansion and collapse mechanism. A black shroud blocks ambient light and enhances contrast in display mode but can be detached in projector mode, making the Splay the most portable ultra-short-throw projector on the market and capable of projecting up to a 100-inch image, according to the company.

Wesley told IEthat all other projectors with similar dimensions, battery power, and weight must be at least twice as far away from the projection surface as the Splay.

Arovia sees the Splay as a mainstay in presentations and trade shows, videos and live sports screenings, mobile command posts, and audiovisual teleprompters. The Splay is also capable of magnification, making accessibility a reality for individuals with low vision. Gaming on the go is possible, although the display refreshes at a modest 60Hz and with a 10 ms response rate.

Plans for the future

Under the spotlight at CES 2024, the Splay won an Innovation Award, adding to the R&D 100 Award the Texas-based company bagged last year. But Arovia isn't resting on its laurels. The company revealed that it would release an upgraded version of Splay, now with a 35-inch display targeting portable TV use cases later this year. Also in the works is the expandable diSplay— a new product category with even larger screen sizes and onboard operating systems capable of native wireless display and touch input.

Arovia believes that it can revolutionize portable displays while maintaining a positive impact on the environment and community. Manufacturing workflows are continuously improved to minimize energy consumption and waste and increase eco-friendly materials whenever possible. 

To share its excitement, Arovia is offering readers a $400 discount on Splay with the promo code CES2024 on their official website.