Visualising the next-generation viewing experience with PlayNitride
![Smart Glasses – The hardware for metaverse [1]](https://img2.storyblok.com/317x178/filters:quality(10)/f/149518/1920x1080/afb79aeb7f/visualising-the-next-generation-viewing-experience-with-playnitride.png)
Smart Glasses – The hardware for metaverse [1]
By TAM Hock Chuan, Tracy JIN and Calvin TAN
Facebook (now Meta) tells us that the metaverse is “the next evolution of social connection” [2]. The idea is that it will change the way we interact in real-time no matter where we are. This is very exciting because it could bring us closer together than ever before, shaping a new reality that movies like Star Trek and Ready Player One have teased us with for years [3].
In the metaverse, the goal is for our digital avatars to be able to virtually meet “in person” and share truly immersive experiences together even if we’re apart. Live Justin Bieber concerts in the metaverse? [4] Virtual classrooms with 3D environments? [5] How about a Disney theme park metaverse? [6] These are all real examples. The revolution is already beginning.
Meta’s visualisation of the metaverse [2]
But how will we access the metaverse? Signs point to visual interfaces being the first step. Indeed, the visual element is vital to achieving the ‘feeling of presence’, which Mark Zuckerberg says is synonymous with the metaverse. His first examples of metaverse interaction were all visual: “You’ll see their facial expressions, body language – all the subtle ways that we communicate that today’s technology can’t quite deliver.” [2]
We’ve already made some headway. In 2014, Facebook’s USD 2B purchase of Oculus VR, creator of the novel Oculus Rift VR headset, sparked interest in VR and developments in the VR space gained momentum rapidly thereafter. Sony, Samsung and other technology companies were quick to follow. [7] Shortly after Meta collaborated with Ray-Ban to launch first-generation smart glasses, even Apple threw its hat in the ring with a possible AR-VR headset [8 and 9]. As with computers and phones before them, the key will be to make the headsets small and light enough for everyday use – which is where MicroLED come in.
Smaller, lighter, brighter, stronger, faster, longer lifetime – understanding MicroLED technology
MicroLEDs are the much-touted successor to traditional LEDs because they emit their own light (while LEDs are traditionally used to backlight LCD screens, resulting in much lower light penetration). MicroLEDs produce high-resolution displays, can be used in curved/flexible setups, use only 10 percent of current LCD power consumption and can last as long as 100,000 hours of LEDs. They can also switch on or off in nanoseconds and are bright enough to be readable under sunlight.
Global technology giants are sitting up and taking note, especially display manufacturers. Samsung has launched MicroLED digital signs and modular televisions that are significantly brighter, clearer and more responsive [10 and 11]. AU Optronics unveiled a revolutionary full-colour active MicroLED automotive display panel in 2019 [12]. The following year, Konka Group released the world’s first MicroLED watch [13].
An overview of Traditional LED, Mini LED and MicroLED technology and applications [14]
With extremely tiny LEDs, it would be “possible to make the LED nearly imperceptible when placed near the eye. This, in turn, would make it possible to develop a see-through AR display where the environment is fully visible.” That makes a strong case for MicroLEDs in near-eye displays like glasses and headsets, which – among other devices – will be our gateway to the metaverse. Xiaomi and Vuzix have already introduced MicroLED-enabled smart glasses [15 & 16].
Despite their myriad advantages, MicroLEDs have historically not been commercially viable due to process complexity and high production costs. This is where PlayNitride, an award-winning Taiwan-based producer that designs and manufactures Chip on Carrier (COC) products for MicroLED displays, is making a big difference.
PlayNitride masters key processes of MicroLED
We were attracted to PlayNitride because it has established itself as a pioneer and market leader in MicroLED technology with over 300 patents across countries. Led by a core team of experts with an average of 10 years of experience in the LED industry, PlayNitride has developed a unique manufacturing process that gives it an important industrialisation advantage.
PlayNitride’s core technologies include wafer epitaxy, MicroLED chip processes, mass transfer and mass repair. With this complete ecosystem and in-depth technology expertise, the company can build products and solve some of the MicroLED market’s core challenges very quickly.
For instance, mass transfer – the most difficult part of MicroLED technology – has long been a commercialisation bottleneck. If not done well, it can potentially result in chip damage and low yield, which contributes to the high production costs and makes MicroLEDs unviable to mass produce.
PlayNitride has developed several patented technologies to improve yield. Its PixeLED® technology, a MicroLED display technology for traditional and innovative applications, is built using its own mass transfer process, while its SMARTech (Selective Mass Addressable Repair Technology) can accurately repair defective pixels quickly to ensure that displays meet market standards.
PlayNitride MicroLED Technology and services [17]
With this integrated, highly efficient process, PlayNitride has successfully decreased the production cost for MicroLED chips by 60 percent and MicroLED modules by 50 percent thus far [18]. However, the company is confident it can do more.
It aims to achieve a 95 percent cost reduction for MicroLED panels by 2025, which would throw the door wide open for large-scale commercialisation and unlock new MicroLED-driven possibilities – such as the metaverse [18].
Open to various opportunities by building the MicroLED ecosystem through innovation and partnership
Since 2019, PlayNitride has been producing MicroLEDs for premium large TV displays. Its PixeLED® technology comes in different forms for many display applications, such as modular large-sized displays, transparent displays, wearable displays and AR micro-displays. It’s currently running a mass production fab for MicroLEDs in Taiwan and has started shipping to its customers.
However, meaningful industry growth cannot be achieved alone. Holistic collaborations across the supply chain are required to accelerate adoption of MicroLED technology. Within the display segment, PlayNitride has already established many notable collaborations with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and industry players across different applications [19 to 24].
“With advancements in MicroLED technology and more industry collaborations, we believe that MicroLEDs will soon be the technology of choice to power future devices. We are already seeing great strides made with MicroLEDs in automotives, televisions, AR devices and smart wearables. MicroLED televisions will be in the market soon; we expect wearable and automotive applications to follow suit in the next two years, while AR devices may take three,” said Charles Li, CEO of PlayNitride.
MicroLED pace of adoption across different applications [25]
Envisioning a MicroLED-driven future
While MicroLEDs are only just taking off now, we are seeing greater market penetration and adoption day by day. The global market size is estimated to hit USD 11.5B by 2026 with a CAGR of 74.8% from 2021-2026 [26]. In fact, as of the first quarter of 2021, over USD 5B has been spent on MicroLED development [27]. This indicates how important MicroLED players will be to the future of our changing realities.
We believe that PlayNitride is in a strong position given its deep pool of talent, constant innovation, aggressive international patenting and key partnerships. It’s already in its next phase of growth, having commenced its second production line in 2021 to increase its production capacity and showcasing new display prototypes such as microdisplays at global exhibitions such as SID Displayweek [28].
PlayNitride showcases Micro LED prototypes at SID Displayweek 2021
We are confident that PlayNitride will continue to remain at the forefront of this accelerating industry and are excited to see it play a bigger role in shaping the visual future.
