VR / AR

Mojo Vision developed a 14,000 PPI Micro-LED microdisplay

AR developer Mojo Vision announced that it developed a 14k sub-pixel PPI (1.8µm sub-pixel pitch) Micro-LED microdisplay, to power its upcoming AR platform. The microdisplay is a monochrome green one, that the company says is the smallest display ever developed at 0.48 mm diameter.

Mojo Vision 14k PPI Micro-LED display prototype photo

This prototype, according to Mojo Vision, demonstrates the capability that MicroLEDs have to create more seamless AR experiences. The company did not say how close it is to commercialize the display, but did say that it will release more details on its MicroLED displays and technology development at a "future date".

Plessey signs a long-term Micro-LED display supply agreement with Vuzix

In June 2018, UK-based GaN-on-Si MicroLED developer Plessey Semiconductor and AR developer Vuzix announced a partnership to develop advanced Micro-LED display engines for Vuzix waveguide optics to enable next generation AR Smart Glasses by 2019. Today Plessey announced it has entered into a long-term micro-LED supply agreement with Vuzix.

The new agreement will support the development and production of next-generation AR products that utilize Plessey's micro-LED light source. Vuzix say that the agreement includes an exclusive display device design.

Fuji Chimera: micro-LEDs are not yet ready to take over the AR microdisplay market

Fuji Chimera Research Institute says that the global microdisplay market reached $161 million in 2018, led by LCoS panels (59.7%) and OLED panels (27.8%).

VueReal micro-led microdisplay prototype photo

While some analysts expect Micro-LED to take over the AR microdisplay market, Fuji Chimera says that the technology is not mature enough and there are some technology challenges to overcome still - including those in epitaxial wafer process, mass transfer, defect detection and current drive.

We talk Micro-LED technology and market with Yole Développement

Market research firm Yole Développement has been following the Micro-LED market for some years with some very interesting insights and forecasts.

Zine Bouhamri photo (Yole)

Yole's technology & market analyst Zine Bouhamri was kind enough to discuss Yole's Micro-LED views with us. Mr. Zine is is a member of the Photonics, Sensing & Display division at Yole and he's deeply involved in the business development of the Displays unit activities.

n-Tech sees a very bright future for Micro-LED displays, starting in 2019

n-tech Research says that the Micro-LED market will emerge in 2019, with sales reaching $2.7 billion. The market will grow very quickly to reach over $70 billion in 2027.

MicroLED display market forecast (2018-2027, n-Tech)

n-Tech says that the immediate markets for Micro-LED displays will be near-eye displays (AR/VR), automotive HUDs and projectors - as these will benefit mostly from the small size, low weight, high brightness and high resolution of Micro-LED displays. Wearables (smartwatches) is another lucrative market (n-Tech sees $1.6 billion in smartwatch Micro-LED display sales in 2022).

Yole: LCoS, DLP and MicroLED displays to dominate the AR market

Yole Developpement says that there are still several challenges to solve before AR systems that are good enough for mass usage are developed. Yole sees the market finally emerging in 2022 or 2023.

AR display forecasts (2018-2027, Yole Developpement)

Yole sees three display technologies dominating this market - DLP, LCoS and MicroLED displays. OLEDs are very promising for this market as of today, but by the time AR systems are mass produced (2022/2023) MicroLED displays will prove better than OLEDs.

ITRI is developing new Micro-LED displays for small-size and large-size applications

Digitimes reports that Taiwan's ITRI institute is developing new micro LED displays for both small-size and large-size application.

ITRI 0.55'' Micro-LED Microdisplay prototype photo

For small-size displays, ITRI is developing a 0.55-inch micro-LED microdisplays (on-silicon). This display is aimed for AR or VR devices. For this display ITRI uses 10-micron LEDs. For larger-sized application, ITRI is focused on displays over 130-inch in size. For such displays ITRI adopts 50-100 micron LEDs on PCB substrates.

Plessey's Quanta-Brite and Quanta-Ray micro-LED microdisplay technologies explained

Yesterday we reported that Plessey partnered with AR supplier Vuzix to bring Micro-LED display engine, Quanta-Brite, for next generation AR Smart Glasses - which Vuzix expects to introduce in 2019.

Plessey MicroLED HUD prototype (CES 2018)

An interesting article at LED Inside explains Plessey Semiconductor's technology. The Quanta-Brite display engine is not a 'true' Micro-LED display - it is an LCoS or DMD (digital mirror) display engine that is lit by a micro-LED array and special optics. Usual LCoS and DMD displays are lit by larger LEDs, and Plessey claims that its micro-LED solution will provide a more efficient and more uniform display.