AR smartglass supplier partnership to deliver the next generation of AR wearables

WaveOptics, the pioneering designers of diffractive waveguides for Augmented Reality (AR) wearables, has announced a strategic supplier relationship with Jade Bird Display (JBD) for MicroLED microdisplays.

The Leopard is the latest development kit by WaveOptics which demonstrates to their customers the advanced level of readily deployable and customisable AR technology.

It is the closest form-factor akin to traditional consumer eye wear available from the UK based company which recently was acquired by Snap. Alongside the patented waveguide technology, the Leopard utilizes JBD’s 0.13” AmµLED™ MicroLED panel incorporated into a WaveOptics designed projector.

Unlocking the next consumer electronics revolution

This is the first time WaveOptics have selected a uLED panel for their light engines. Dr. Qiming Li, CEO & founder of JBD says “We are delighted to be a partner in the launch of Leopard which is a truly innovative optical hardware platform enabling light weight and outdoor readable AR wearables designs”.

Leopard uses the Katana waveguide platform which was launched at CES 2020. It is the thinnest and lightest waveguide available: only 1.15mm thick, weighing just 7 grams. It combines with Loki, the WaveOptics designed projector (incorporating JBD’s uLED panel) weighing just 0.6 grams and volume 760mm^3, which fits into the housing of the glasses for ease of assembly and style. The 0.13” VGA MicroLED display from JBD has an active area of only 2.64 mm x 2.02 mm, capable of achieving brightness of over 4 million nits. This enables the ultra-efficient, super bright and small form factor design of the Loki.

Ideally designed for simple alerts and messaging

This unique combination allows user experience testing of green only, monocular smart glasses, suitable for notification-based use cases.

JBD shares the mission to design technology that is suitable for customization and mass manufacture.

Working in perfect sync to deliver the next generation of AR devices

Dr Qiming Li goes on to say “It is critical that the see-through optics and microdisplay for AR wearables is considered for compatibility at the very inception of design rather than in isolation. Our MicroLED microdisplays and Waveoptics’s Katana waveguide work in perfect sync to deliver the next generation AR wearable devices and we will continue working with Waveoptics in future developments to fuel further innovations.”

Technical specification

The Leopard comprises of Asgard waveguide outline, Loki projector, Bodach and glasses form factor.

“TRY ON” THE NEW LEOPARDS USING AR LENS

Another first for WaveOptics is the ability to try this developer kit from anywhere in the world.