MicroLED Microdisplays - Page 2

MicroLED microdipslay developer Mojo Vision, a MicroLED Industry Association member, announced a partnership with CY Vision to develop next-generation heads-up displays (HUDs) for the automotive market.

These HUDs will use Mojo Vision's microLED technology, and will also leverage AI and 3D imaging to provide drivers with an "immersive and personalized driving experience with informative, line-of-sight overlays that promote driver safety and provide essential information".

Microdisplays are defined as very small displays, usually under 1-inch in diameter, used for near-eye applications. These displays feature very fine pixels and usually deliver very good image qualities. Microdisplays are used in markets such as military (HMDs, rifle sights, etc.) and industrial markets.

Most microdisplays on the market today are either LCD/LCoS displays or OLED displays. MicroLED technology is highly promising for microdisplay applications as it promises the high image quality of OLED displays coupled with very high brightness, high efficiency and long lifetimes. While the microLED industry is still emerging, the microdisplay sector is relatively mature and some displays are already deployed on the market.

During the company's recent conference call, AUO said that the company is undergoing a strategic transformation, focusing on mobility solutions, vertical solutions, and the display segment. The company gave several interesting statements regarding its microLED project and investments.

First of all, the company says that microLED is a priority for the company, and it plans to allocate more resources into its microLED projects. AUO says that its microLED technology is 'gaining traction', and that it is producing microLED displays commercially, but it did not detail more. The company believes it is the leader in microLED development.

Even Realities launched a new smart glasses product, called the G1 - a lightweight solution that is based on dual JBD 0.13" VGA monochrome green microdisplays.

The G1 Glasses are available for pre-order for $599 (or $749 with prescription lenses). Shipments will begin in August.

MicroLED-Connect is the world's first dedicated MicroLED conference and exhibition. The event, organized by TechBlick and the MicroLED Association, will take place at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, also known as "the smartest square kilometer in all of Europe", and will include an excellent conference program, masterclasses, tours - with a special emphasis on social/professional gatherings and networking opportunities.

One of the themes to be highlighted at the event is AR/VR, which is perceived as one of the key markets for microLED display makers thanks to the high-brightness and efficiency of microLEDs - making them an excellent candidate to drive future AR and VR headsets and products.

We're happy to interview Valentyn S. Volkov, PhD, co-founder and Scientific Partner at XPANCEO, as part of our series of interviews with MicroLED Industry Association members. Dubai-based XPANCEO develops eXtended Computing (XC) contact lenses, a next generation computing category - based on microLED microdisplays.

Valentyn S. Volkov, PhD, co-founder and Scientific Partner at XPANCEO, is an internationally renowned expert in the field of nanophotonics and advanced materials, with 20 years of experience at leading universities and research centers.

Q: Can you introduce your company and technology?

XPANCEO is a deep tech company specializing in advanced technology, working to evolve the next generation of computing through the development of an imperceptible and weightless smart contact lens that seamlessly integrates with the wearer's natural vision. This innovative lens revolutionizes the entire concept of human-technology interaction, reshaping the way individuals engage with both the physical and digital realms, encompassing social media, content consumption, and gaming. By consolidating all personal devices into a single entity, the lens metamorphoses daily activities into an expansive Extended Reality (XR) encounter, featuring sophisticated real-time health monitoring, comprehensive practical suggestions, capabilities such as night vision and zoom, and state-of-the-art privacy and security protocols.

In the past year, microLED startups have raised over $200 million. As some companies (most notably Aledia and JBD in this case) mature and start to build production capacity, the need for funds grows, and we have indeed seen large investment rounds in these companies.

• Kubos Semiconductors: $2 million (May 2024)
• MICLEDI: $17 million (March 2024)
• Mojo Vision: $21.1 million (October 2023)
• Aledia: $129 million (October 2023)
• Comptek Solutions: $8.6 million (August 2023)
• QNA Technology: $4 million (August 2023)
• JBD: A4 round, estimated at $30-130 million (June 2023)

It is great to see these recent funding successes, which will hopefully lead to increased innovation and also initial production. It should be noted that most (if not all) of these financing rounds have been finalized before Apple made its decision to cancel its main microLED wearable project. We do not see Apple's decision as having a major impact on the long-term viability of microLED technologies or on the industry - but we do know that some investors are now hesitant to invest in this market following Apple's project cancellation. 

Today we published a new edition of our MicroLED and OLED Microdisplays Market Report, with all the latest information. The AR/VR market is of high interest and companies are investing heavily in microdisplay technologies, both OLEDs and MicroLEDs. The new edition offers 14 updates and bringsg this report up to date, including the latest prototypes and technologies announced at Displayweek 2024.

Reading this report, you'll learn all about:

• The advantages of OLED and MicroLED microdisplays
• The microdisplays that are available on the market today
• Information on all companies involved in this market
• Future technologies and roadmaps

The report package also provides:

• A list of all OLED microdisplays on the market
• A list of all OLED and MicroLED microdisplays makers
• Microdisplays spreadsheet
• Over 25 datasheets, presentations
• Free updates for a year

This microdisplays market report provides a great introduction to MicroLED and OLED microdisplays, and covers everything you need to know about the current status of the market and industry. This is a great guide if you're considering to adopt OLED microdisplays in your product, if you're looking to learn more about next-generation micro-LEDs and if you want to understand this industry better.

Vuzix announced that it has signed a multi-phase development contract with Garmin for next generation nano-imprinted waveguide-based display system. These systems will also use microLED microdisplay engines.

Vuzix will develop and deliver in succession, waveguide based optical systems with full custom microLED projection engines, and then ultimately production units. 

MicroLED developer VueReal launched a hybrid microLED-LCOS microdisplay, branded as ColourFusion microDisplay, targeting AR applications. The basic idea is to use a low-density microLED microdisplay, with an LCOS on top that increases the resolution. 

VueReal says that this solution enables high resolution, high grayscale and color depth, high contrast, and unprecedented low power consumption. VueReal developed innovative power-saving algorithm and a backplane that supports variable frame rates. The microLED unit is deposited using VueReal’s proprietary MicroSolid Printing technology.