Dispelix, Colorchip, Maradin partner to develop MEMS-based laser scanning solutions for AR glasses

20 Oct 2022

Aim is to integrate waveguide displays, PLC beam combiner, and MEMS projector.

A partnership comprising Dispelix, ColorChip, and Maradin has announced they will work together to further advance laser beam scanning solutions (LBS) for augmented reality (AR) glasses.

The collaboration integrates Dispelix’s diffractive waveguide displays, Color Chip’s Planar Light Circuit (PLC) beam combiner, and Maradin’s MEMS projection technology for LBS. All three companies have this week been participating in AWE Europe, in Lisbon, Portugal, where they made the announcement.

LBS technology offers some important advantages for AR glasses. These include small form factor glasses that are lightweight and enabled by thin, full color waveguide displays with compact, low-power LBS projectors. Additional advantages offer high brightness and color optimization via pixel-to-pixel control.

‘Benefits of LBS technology’

“Our partnership demonstrates the importance of working together and bringing the clear benefits of LBS technology closer to product and consumer readiness,” commented Pia Harju, Vice President of Business Development, Dispelix. “These combined efforts will ensure optimal compatibility with consumer market requirements and result in brightness and contrast levels that will make all-day wearables a reality.”

Yigal Ezra, CEO of ColorChip, said, “Together we are creating a clearer path to consumer ready and wearable AR glasses that are comfortable, bright, and light. Our collective team of experts are advancing the core technology components that will soon support an unlimited portfolio of products in the AR glasses space.”

“I am so excited that people will be able to experience AR glasses with an LBS display module based on the innovative collaboration between Dispelix, ColorChip, and Maradin,” said Matan Naftali, CEO of Maradin. “It will be interesting to see how product designers integrate this innovation into new products and make it available for all of us to use.”

Dispelix, based in Espoo, Finland is a waveguide designer and manufacturer delivering visual solutions for consumer and enterprise AR and MR wearables. The company’s patented single layer DPX waveguides are claimed to be the thinnest on the market . The company states, “They bring unmatched image quality, performance, and visual fidelity combined with mass manufacturability to scale for even the largest vendors.”

ColorChip, based in Yokneam, Israel, develops photonic integrated circuits based on its own PLC waveguide technology. The company is delivering a range of optical sub-systems spanning the infrared regime, for high-speed connectivity solutions for data centers, AR/MR, automotive and medical sectors.

Maradin, also based in Yokneam, develops 1D and 2D MEMS scanning mirrors and controllers – core components for OEMs developing miniature laser scanning projectors in consumer electronics and automotive heads-up displays. The firm also offers customized MEMS mirror solutions for industrial, medical and defense applications.