Foxconn is one of the contract manufacturers of Apple and Xiaomi devices. Apart from assembling Smartphones, it looks like the company is now developing AR Smart Glasses. And, the new Glasses will reportedly have micro-LED displays according to Digitimes.
The report says that Electronics and Optoelectronic System Research Laboratories(EOSRL) has made the micro-LED displays of these AR Smart Glasses. Also, this is reportedly happening under the government-sponsorship of the Industrial Technology Research Institute(ITRI), Taiwan.
As per the report, Foxconn invested in US-based eLux displays in May 2017. And it has been developing the microLED since then. Previously, the company’s efforts to get future Apple’s iPhone orders involved investments in micro-LED technology. While the latter currently adopts OLED displays, it’s craving for micro-LED hasn’t died as well.
Coming back, Foxconn has reportedly struck a three-year deal for obtaining a license from EOSRL and use its micro-LED technology. For the unware, micro-LED displays have inorganic Gallium Nitride(GaN) which gives more life expectancy than OLED panels. Further, it has advantages like improved complexity proportion, quick reaction time, less luminance decay, genuine blacks, and more.
That said, EOSRL’s micro-LED is 5 micron in size and the report says the lab will match quantum-dot(QD) technology to make panchromatic displays having PPI greater than 2000. Also, EOSRL is reportedly working on changing the optical architecture to improve display effect, eye-tracking sensors, ICs etc. However, the displays will be available only by Q1 2021 as per the report.
Besides, Foxconn is hoping to complete the development of AR Glasses by 2022 and try them in smart retail, smart factories, and smart medical care sectors. While the reason for the delay could be a number of factors, the report says that using micro-LED in AR Glasses involves complex processes and will take three years to complete.
Apart from iPhones, Foxconn recently started the trial production of Apple’s AR Glasses as well. It is believed to have developed semi-transparent lenses for the AR Glass. However, we aren’t sure about the exact specifications of these Glasses and it is best to wait for future updates as we advance ahead.
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