STRATACACHE is a digital signage, merchandising and customer engagement systems developer, targeting the retail, restaurants, banking and financing, gaming, events and education markets.
STRATACACHE is constructing the first US-based complete display production facility in Eugene, Oregon, the future MicroLED E4 fab.
Apple, one of the world's largest companies, develops consumer electronics and computer software, and the company also develops a wide range of next generation technologies.
In 2014 Apple acquired MicroLED display developer LuxVue Technology. LuxVue raised $43 million in funding prior to the Apple purchase. Since the LuxVue acquisition, Apple accelerated its MicroLED R&D project and developed solutions for smartwatches, AR and other display types. Apple established a dedicated microLED research and production facility in Taoyuan, Taiwan, and according to reports, Apple invested over $3 billion on microLED R&D. In early 2024, Apple decided to cancel its MicroLED smartwatch display project, and it's current microLED plans are unknown.
Apple developed MicroLED technologies for many years , and its first goal was to adopt microLED displays in smart watch devices. The latest Watch devices use LTPO OLED displays, but a microLED display could enable Apple to extend the Watch battery life and increase its brightness. As we said, the project was cancelled in early 2024, but it is likely that if display developers commercialize microLEDs, Apple could adopt these for future watch devices.
Taiwan's AUO (previously AU Optronics) was formed in 2001, by the merger of Acer Display and Unipac Optoelectronics. Later in 2006 AUO merged with Quanta Display. AUO is the world's number 3 manufacturer of TFT-LCDs, and also produces OLED display in low volume.
AUO has an active micro-LED R&D project, and in 2018 it demonstrated what it claims to be the world's largest TFT-driven full color Micro-LED display prototype at 12.1".
BOE Pixey was established in December 2019 as a joint-venture between Rohinni and BOE.
BOE Pixey designs and builds micro-LED based LCD display backlights and direct-emission displays - as well as related sensors for large-format displays. BOE Pixey integrates Rohinni's mini-LED and micro-LED manufacturing process with BOE's display panel production experience and leadership.
It is not clear what is the status of BOE Pixey following the bankruptcy of Rohinni in 2024.
eLux Inc. was established in 2016 in the USA as a spin-out from Sharp Labs of America, with an aim to develop micro-LED displays using a proprietary and scalable "fluidic" assembly process.
In 2017 Foxconn (through its Subsidiary CyberNet Venture Capital) led a $8 million investment round in eLux. In 2020, we posted an article that explains eLux's technology and business. In 2022, we posted a spotlight article on eLux.
EpiPix was spun-off from The University of Sheffield in the UK, to commercialize technology for multi-color microLED arrays on a single wafer developed at the Universityâs GaN Centre for Materials and Devices.
The company is developing red, green and blue microLED epiwafers with a pixel size ranging from 30 microns down to less than 5 microns. EpiPix says that it achieved record-breaking IQE results.
US-based Google is a multinational technology company focusing on search engine technology, AI, online advertising, cloud computing, and consumer electronics.
Google is developing microLED technologies, mainly for AR applications. In 2022, Google acquired Raxium, a US-based microLED microdisplay developer.
US-based Innovation Semiconductor developed (and patented) a monolithic vertical architecture for the production of MicroLED microdisplays, based on a 3D nanowire structure, a single material system and a straightforward and conventional integration between LEDs and GaN transistor.
The company seems to be at an early stage, and has yet to demonstrate its technology.
China-based Innovision develops microLED microdisplays, based on the company's vertically-stacked pixel (VSP) technology. The company's microdisplays are said to achieve high display densities and efficient operation.
In November 2022, Innovision raised its Series-A funding round of a few USD millions.
Japan Display (JDI) is a small/medium display maker, formed in September 2011 by the merger of Sony's, Toshiba's and Hitachiâ's display businesses and funded by Japan's government fund Innovation Network Corporation (INCJ).
Japan Display produces LCD display and has been known to supply high-end smartphone LCD displays to Apple. The company later shifted its focus to OLED displays, but still finds it difficult to compete with established OLED makers.
In November 2019 JDI unveiled its first microLED prototype, developed in collaboration with glo.
JBD (Jade Bird Display), established in 2015 in Shanghai, China, develops micro-LED based MicroDisplays for near-eye and image projection applications based on its proprietary hybrid monolithic integration technology.
In July 2017 the company demonstrated a 5000 PPI active-matrix group III-V microLED array on Si ICs. In 2019 JBD unveiled more prototypes, including a 2 million nits display and a 10,000 PPI display.
In 2020, JBD became the first company to commercially produce microLED microdisplays - 0.3" VGA (640x480) monochrome (red, green and blue) displays. In 2023 JBD started shipping engineering samples of single-panel RGB microLED microdisplays.
The Konka Group, established in 1980 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, produces electronics products. The company's Konka E-display subsidiary manufactures digital signage displays. Konka is developing its microLED display technologies.
In October 2019 Konka unveiled its tiled ultra-large Micro-LED TVs, under the APHAEA brand. In December 2019 Konka announced a $365 million Micro-LED R&D center in Chongqing, China. The company has also demonstrated and even launched microLED wearable displays (2020) and consumer-sized TV prototypes (2023).
US-based Kopin Corporation is a developer of microdisplays and other components for wearable devices. The company produces and develops LCoS, OLED and microLED microdisplays.
In early 2021, Kopin announced an agreement with Jade Bird Display to develop 2k x 2k 1" monochrome microLED microdisplays. In July 2021 Kopin announced an agreement with a leading Japanese consumer electronics maker to develop 2K x 2K full-color microLED microdisplays.
US-based Kura Technologies, established in 2016, develops augmented reality (AR) glasses, and related technologies. The company has wide backing from a range of investors and Universities.
Kura's AR glasses are powered by a microLED microdisplay that the company develops in-house, in collaboration with MICLEDI. Kura is also developing its own display controller chipset. The company's Gallium AR glasses offer 8K resolution, full-color, ultra-high brightness and a 150-degree FOV.
China-based Leyard Optoelectronic, established in 1995, produces LED based products, including displays and lighting. The company's main business is large-area LED screens.
In 2020, Leyard announced its entry into the microLED industry, with a partnership with Epister to setup a Mini-LED and Micro-LED production site in Wuxi, China, in a $142 million investment. In 2021 CHN Energy Investment has installed the world's largest microLED display (216-sqm) using Leyard's displays.
Leyard is a public company that trades on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Leyard holds 12% in Saphlux, and will adopt its NPDQ color conversion technology in its future microLED displays.
LG Display, based in Korea, is one of the world's largest display makers. LGD produces screens for TVs, laptops and mobile devices.
LG Display's high-end TV technology of choice is WRGB OLED, but the company announced in 2018 that it is also developing Micro-LED TV technology, and in 2020 LG Electronics launched its MAGNIT range of tiled MicroLED TVs based on LGD panels.
Korea-based Lumens is a specialized LED company that develops next-generation LED technologies, including LED packages, high efficiency lighting, display related products and more.
Lumens is developing high-definition automotive head-up Micro-LED displays and had plans to release its first such display by the end of 2017. Lumens is collaborating with the Korean Institute of Machinery & Material to develop Micro-LED production technologies. In early 2019 Lumens demonstrated a FHD monochrome micro-LED microdisplay.
Lumens is also developing and producing tiled microLED display modules used to make large microLED display solutions.
US-based Lumiode was established in September 2012 with an aim to develop innovative light engines.
Lumiode's technology enables the creation of truly monolithic microLED microdipslays by depositing LTPS backplanes directly on LED epiwafers. In 2024, STRATACACHE announced that it will integrate Lumiode's technology in its upcoming microLED fab in Eugene, Oregon.
MICLEDI was established in Belgium in 2019 as a spin-off from IMEC, with an aim to develop and manufacture microLED microdisplays for the AR market.
MICLEDI is a fabless company. In January 2020 the company raised 4.5 million Euro, and following that round we posted an interview with the company's CEO who explains the company's technology and goals. In 2021 MICLEDI raised a further 7.1 million Euro.
Taiwan-based Microluce was established in 2017 to commercialize microLED display technology developed originally at National Central University.
Microluce's technology enables the production of low-temperature (500-700 degrees Celsius) GaN thin film epitaxial wafers using a sputtering process. on 8 to 12 inch wafers.
Microluc is working with partners (including Konka) to develop microLED technologies.
