Plessey and WaveOptics Announce Partnership
Companies will create a new optical module designed for the next generation of smart glasses
Plessey, a microLED technology developer for augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) displays, announced at Photonics West its partnership with WaveOptics, a designer and manufacturer of diffractive waveguides.
This partnership will focus on the creation of a new optical module, designed for the next generation of smart glasses. The module will incorporate Plessey's high brightness microLED, native green full HD display along with WaveOptics' recently launched Katana waveguide technology and projector design. Katana is claimed to be the industry's thinnest and lightest waveguide, which expands the possibilities of AR wearable design for consumer technology companies, bringing AR wearables to the mass market.
The companies said the module they are developing will be the smallest and lowest mass AR display module available on the market.
The full HD microLED display from Plessey is the result of its previously announced partnership with Compound Photonics, to combine Plessey's GaN/Si microLED display technology with Compound Photonics' digital low latency backplane and high performance NOVA display driver architecture.
The next generation of AR and MR systems depends on a technological leap in the performance of the optical module. Advances in image quality, brightness, resolution, and efficient power consumption are sought after in order to make these new AR and MR systems a compelling practical and visual experience. The collaboration between Plessey and WaveOptics delivers the necessary innovation by bringing together Plessey's GaN/Si microLED display technology and WaveOptics new generation waveguide technology and projector design.
The substantial reduction in size and power requirements in this module enables enhanced features such as wireless transceivers for true, untethered AR applications, which are key for technology and mobile companies looking to launch smart glasses as a mobile accessory.
"This partnership will create a new product opportunity for companies building AR wearables," commented David Hayes, CEO WaveOptics. "For the first time, customers will be able to buy the lightest, ultra-low power module which combines the unique combination of WaveOptics and Plessey technologies. This is a crucial development to enable this technology to reach the consumer market in 2020."
Mike Lee, the president of corporate and business development at Plessey said: "Our partnership with WaveOptics is a significant endorsement of Plessey's GaN-on-Silicon microLED approach. Our microLED displays are recognised as being at the forefront in delivering the high-performance display panels demanded by AR and MR devices."
