MICLEDI Microdisplays
Pathway to future AR glasses
MICLEDI Microdisplays, formed in 2019, is a spin-out from the Belgian R&D company IMEC. The company is privately held by European venture investors and institutions, including the investment arm of IMEC.
MICLEDI Microdisplays specialises in developing micro-LED display modules tailored for augmented reality (AR) glasses, positioning itself as a significant contributor within the metaverse ecosystem. Leveraging a fabless manufacturing model, the company focuses on integrating micro-LED technology into AR glasses, with a particular emphasis on addressing critical challenges such as brightness, power efficiency, and image quality.
The core technology employed by MICLEDI is engineered to be compatible with a high-volume foundry (300mm Si-CMOS) that facilitates cost-effective manufacturing—a crucial factor for the widespread adoption of AR glasses within the metaverse. MICLEDI is building a European fabless manufacturing supply chain by teaming up with commercial epi-supplier IQE (UK) and announced a collaboration with GlobalFoundries (GF Dresden) for the high-volume production of the microLED display wafer. First small-volume production will be available in 2026, with high-volume manufacturing available in 2027.
Adapting AR glasses for outdoor daylight usage demands exceptionally bright and low-power display engines; existing micro-displays often fall short, either lacking sufficient brightness or exhibiting visual artefacts. This underscores the importance of delivering a seamless and high-quality visual experience to users, similar to the standards set by 2D mobile devices.
Micro-LED technologies offer a promising solution to these challenges, presenting a pathway to future AR glasses equipped with micro displays boasting low power consumption, high brightness levels, and superior image resolution packaged within a compact and lightweight form factor.
Addressing this challenge requires a concerted effort towards supporting deep tech start-ups, especially in domains such as optics, actuators, sensors, and communication. While Europe boasts a wealth of innovative ideas, scaling these ventures demands resources unavailable to most private investors. Consistent and risk-tolerant government investment is essential to nurture the development of new hardware components critical for driving the widespread adoption of the metaverse.