VR / AR

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 Tobias Steinel Ph.D., works as a product manager at Instrument Systems GmbH, as part of our series of interviews with MicroLED Industry Association members. Germany based Instrument Systems manufacturers high-precision spectrometers, complex systems and software solutions for spectral light measurements.

Tobias is responsible for Instrument Systems’ measurement portfolio in the field of microLED optical testing and AR/VR/MR applications.

Can you please introduce your company and technology? 

With facilities in Munich and Berlin, Germany, Instrument Systems develops and produces high-end light measurement technology for flat panel displays, micro-displays, near-to-eye displays, automotive lighting, VCSEL systems and LED/SSL modules. Our color and light measurement solutions are used in display production sites worldwide. In addition to the manufacture of measuring equipment, our core competence is that our accredited test laboratory guarantees independent, reliable and comparable measurement results for every measuring device purchased. These can be traced back directly to the reference standards of national metrology institutes.

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. 

In early 2022, Vuzix launched the Shield Smart Safety Glasses based on microLED microdisplays (JBD's VGA 0.13"). The Shield, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR1 and Vuzix' propriety waveguide optics, was targeting enterprise use.

A few days ago, Vuzix announced that the Vuzix Shield smart glasses are now available to the general public, available to buy online at Vuzix's site. The company says that the Vuzix Shield is its most revolutionary pair of prescription-ready AR smart safety glasses, boasting enhanced 3D optics made possible by the stereoscopic microLED waveguide-based displays. At $2,499.99, this is still an expensive device and it is not really intended for general consumer use.

Today we published a new edition of our MicroLED and OLED Microdisplays Market Report, with all the latest information. The new edition offers more that a dozen new updates, new companies, new brochures and catalogs, and more. It is a major release with over 30 updates. Global multinational companies are working hard to develop and deploy next-generation AR and VR devices, and these devices will all be based on OLED and microLED microdisplay engines.

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.

We're happy to interview Reza Chaji, CEO and founder at VueReal, as part of our series of interviews with MicroLED Industry Association members. Canada-based VueReal developed a unique microLED display production process (which it refers to as a MicroSolid Printing Platform) and the company now offers a turnkey platform that enables its partners and customers to develop a custom display and fabricate it at VueReal's own pilot production line. 

Hello Reza, can you introduce your company and technology?

From the outset, we recognized that microLED solutions should address the formidable challenges of developing smartphone microLED displays to pave the way beyond niche markets. Consequently, our focus has been on developing scalable and cost-competitive technologies tailored for high-volume applications. This strategic approach positions us effectively to address the smartphone sector soon and opens doors to other markets.

VueReal's fundamental technological innovation lies in our transfer solution with unique printing attributes, microSolid Printing. This groundbreaking solution boasts distinct advantages over lasers and pick-and-place methods.