JBD

Smart contact lenses developer XPANCEO and microLED microdisplay maker JBD announced that they will co-develop a new micro-display designed specifically for direct integration into a smart contact lens.

This marks the second phase of the two companies' collaboration, building on the partnership they first announced in 2024. During the earlier proof-of-concept stage, the teams built a printed circuit board (PCB) with an integrated micro-display connected to the lens' processing unit, and developed an optical system capable of forming a precise image that a wearer can comfortably focus on despite it sitting extremely close to the surface of the eye. XPANCEO also demonstrated that such a system can be powered entirely by wireless means, removing the need for bulky internal components.

JBD today introduces its latest product, the Roadrunner II - a 2.5 micron pixel-pitch SVGA (800x600) 0.18 cc full color microLED projector. Based on the Roadrunner II, JBD also introduced a monocular full-color AR glasses development kit. 

The Roadrunner II product is based on 0.1" 480hz 10,160 PPI microdisplays. 

China-based microLED microdisplay developer JBD announced that it has completed a major upgrade of its microLED microdisplay mass-production architecture, and has shifted from 4-inch manufacturing to a 12-inch reconstructed wafer platform. This is a sort of medium step before full 12-inch LED epiwafer deposition.

JBD says that the current wafer mismatch between the 4-inch LED wafer and the 12-inch silicon backplane wafer has become a key factor limiting cost efficiency and substrate utilization. JBD has integrated its "die-to-carrier-to-wafer" bonding scheme into its volume production architecture. Under this process, small-format epitaxial wafers are diced into individual dies, followed by pre-bond inspection and sorting to identify and remove defective chips at an early stage. Qualified dies are then reconstituted onto a temporary 12-inch carrier substrate with high placement accuracy and uniformity, creating a reconstructed epitaxial wafer for subsequent wafer-level bonding with a matching 12-inch silicon backplane.

JBD launched a new automotive-grade microLED projection platform, branded as Griffin. These projectors are intended to be used as external displays for vehicles - in rearview mirrors, doors, and other locations around the car.

The first-generation Griffin I is based on a 0.25" microLED display panel that provides up to 500 lumens, and meets automotive-grade reliability standards. JBD says that this new system has an exceptionally compact form factor, and is likely to be a monochrome projector. JBD expects the first Griffin I projection display panel samples to be available in mid-2026.

China-based microLED microdisplay developer JBD launched a new color projector module, branded as Roadrunner I. The company says that this new product achieves smaller pixel size and increased optical efficiency compared to its earlier generation products, translating into a substantial advantage in overall form factor and image performance for full-color AR smart glasses.

The Roadrunner I projector utilizes JBD's latest 10,160 PPI (2.5 um pitch) Hummingbird monochrome microLED microdisplay, that JBD announced two months ago. The display module offers a 25-degrees field of view (FOV) and achieves an angular resolution of up to 32 pixels per degree (PPD), delivering an increase of over 20% relative to previous products from JBD. The Roadrunner I can operate at 480 Hz, an ultra-high refresh rate. 

AR waveguide developer Cellid announced two new AR headset reference designs (verification models), to promote the company's latest waveguide and full display modules. 

Both reference designs are based on microLED displays. The first is an entry-level model, that uses a monochrome (green) 640x480 60Hz 3000 nits microLED display, an Alif E7 chipset, and the company's own latest plastic waveguide.

Even Realities launched its 2nd-gen AR glasses, the Even G2 Display Smart Glasses, based on microLED displays. The displays offer a 640x350 resolution, monochrome (green) color, 1200 nits brightness, and a 60Hz refresh rate. The Even G1 glasses were based on JBD's microLEDs, and it is likely that the G2 also uses the same microdisplays.

The Even G2 Display Smart Glasses weigh 36 grams, cost around $800, and has an optional smart ring controller.

China-based microLED microdisplay developer JBD has successfully completed its Series B2 financing round, raising $140 million USD (1 billion RMB). The round was led by Hundun Investment and CITIC Jingshi. Other VCs that participated include previous investors CITIC Securities, Lightspeed China Partners, Yinbai Investment, Zhiwei Capital, and more.

JBD says that it will use the funds to accelerate it's microLED microdisplay R&D, and commercialize its new technologies.

Jade Bird Display (JBD) launched its new microLED microdisplay platform, branded as Roadrunner, increasing the resolution to 10,160 PPI (pixel pitch of 2.5 micron). JBD says that it is progressing towards mass production of these new displays, with a phased market rollout expected in the second half of 2026.

JBD says that it managed to decrease the pixel pitch to 2.5 micron (down from 4 micron in their previous generation panels), through the use of chip processing innovation and a novel device architecture. This enabled an increase in microLED efficiency (the main challenge as die sizes decreases). The displays are produced on a new 22nm backplane, which further enabled power consumption reduction (JBD says that the backplane power is capped at 18mW).

Rokid launched a new crowdfunding campaign (which already passed $700,000 with 1,200+ supporters) for its latest AR headset, the Rokid Glasses. The new AR device utilizes dual Jade Bird Display's monochrome (green) microLED microdisplays, likely its 0.13" VGA ones.

The 49 grams Rokid Glasses is powered by Qualcomm's AR1, NXP's RT600 and it offers 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. There's a 12MP camera, and it supports live translation and ChatGPT5. Rokid says it will start shipping the glasses in November 2025.