AUO

According to reports from Taiwan, Intel has developed a new technology to enable more efficient embedding of microLED into glass substrates via novel through-glass vias (TGVs), with an am to achieve deep optoelectrical integration. The company is in talks with AUO to partner on advanced co-packaged optics (CPO, or microLED-based optical I/O).

It is reported that Intel sees AUO as an important ally, as it challenges TSMC's leadership in AI chip technologies. AUO has deep knowledge and experience in glass processing, required for Intel's CPO solutions.

In September Garmin launched its Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED smartwatch, the world's first with a microLED display. The panel is a 1.4" 454x454 round display that offers a brightness of 4,500 nits, produced by AUO.

The company recently launched the next-generation Fenix 9 Pro smartwatch family, without a microLED option. The display is an AMOLED display, with a brightness of 3,000 nits. We did not know whether the company plans to release a microLED edition, but in a recent statement Garmin said: "MicroLED is an exciting emerging technology that continues to evolve. While it played an important role in the fēnix 8 Pro 51mm lineup, we’re excited for the opportunity to bring our brightest and largest 1.5″ AMOLED screen to fēnix 9 Pro 51mm. We will always monitor advancements in display technology and will look to bring those to the Fenix lineup when they make sense".

Taiwan-based MicroLED developer PlayNitride held its Q2 2026 investor conference call, during which it updated on its financials - and also on its major projects and customers. PlayNitride reported revenues of 150 million TWD ($4.7 million USD), down 26% from Q2 2025 ($6.3 million) and slightly up then the first quarter of 2026 ($4.4 million).

First, PlayNitride says that its current business is quite steady. It is supplying microLED chips to both Samsung's direct-emission microLED TVs, and also to the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro smartwatch (produced by AUO). 

AUO and faytech Tech has signed an MOU, to deepen their long-term business partnership centered on transparent microLED displays. The MOU formalizes cooperation across product development, integration, manufacturing, and go-to-market activities. AUO says that this new agreement will accelerate deployment of transparent microLED displays in commercial and industrial applications.

Under the agreement, AUO and faytech will collaborate on joint development projects that leverage AUO’s leading microLED display technologies and faytech’s global expertise in designing, manufacturing and servicing touch monitors, touch PCs and optical bonding. The partnership aims to deliver turn-key transparent display solutions that combine high optical performance with robust touch, bonding and system integration tailored for retail, transportation, hospitality, smart buildings and other high-traffic environments.

A few weeks ago, during SID Displayweek 2026, AUO and Corning have teamed up to demonstrate a 17.3" 1280x720​ dual-sided transparent microLED display. This display shows a different image from each side, while still offering a transmittance of over 35%.

Corning updates that this panel utilizes two optically advanced fusion-formed glass substrates with customized transmittance and anti-reflective coating, to enable high visual clarity and stability.​ In total, the display has four advanced glass substrate, as it includes two cover glass panels as well.

Aledia and AUO Corporation announced a strategic partnership to co-develop microLED display technologies. The two companies will develop microLED displays based on Aledia's 3D-Nanowire microLEDs and AUO's display backplanes.

Aledia and AUO has launched a project that received funds the France-Taiwan cooperation funding program. Beyond displays, this technology may also be used to optical I/O solutions and microLED microdisplays for AR devices. The partnership was formally announced last month in Paris.

AUO was showing a rollable microLED display prototype at Touch Taiwan, and we have a bit more information, and a photo showing the display (provided by AUO).

The display is 17.3" in size, and AUO is targeting automotive applications. AUO says that the displays features an ultra-thin form factor, high brightness, wide color gamut, high contrast, and low reflectivity.

Ennostar is showcasing a microLED-based optical I/O solution, co-developed with AUO and Tyntek. The solution integrates Ennostar’s GaN-based microLED light source with Tyntek’s Micro Photodetector (Micro-PD), co-designed within AUO’s Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) module.

This solution targets ultra-short range high-speed interconnects (<10 meters), well-suited for applications such as Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) and Active Optical Cables (AOC). Ennostar has successfully demonstrated microLED-based performance at 1.25 Gbps per channel and will continue to enhance modulation speed and reliability through ongoing co-development with system partners.

AUO revealed that it is targeting the optical I/O market with its microLED modules. The company has already submitted samples of power-efficient microLED modules to customers. 

AUO plans to commercially launch these new advanced packaging copackaged optics (CPO), targeting AI datacenters. The company says it believes microLED-based CPO can be highly suitable for data-transmission cables up to 10m in length, and is excited about this opportunity. AUO believes it will be able to commercialize this technology into a product within 2-3 years.

AUO is showing several exciting microLED prototype displays at Touch Taiwan, including some new technologies. We share some initial information here, and hopefully soon we'll be able to share more.

First up are some transparent microLED displays. AUO is showing two such displays, one a 54-inch signage display applied to a dessert display case, and the second is a 42-inch Multilingual AI Ordering System that integrates cross-language communication with the ordering process at frontline touchpoints.