Market Trends of Microdisplay Industry
Consumer and Automotive Application to Witness Significant Growth
- The consumer electronics and automotive industry is anticipated to experience notable growth due to miniaturization in consumer electronics, the rising popularity of wearable displays, and the increasing use of ADAS in the automotive sector, particularly with HUD integration in vehicles.
- According to SIAM India, in the fiscal year 2023, India witnessed a rise in the total vehicle production volume to approximately 25.93 million units compared to the previous year. Microdisplays have attracted much attention because of their tiny size and large resolution as the primary display drivers for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality devices. Various microdisplays, including the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and liquid crystal display (LCD), are also used for AR/VR headsets.
- Microdisplay technologies are generally considered appropriate for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality applications. Augmented Reality applications use microdisplay technology to add information to the user's surroundings, such as a map display in a person's glasses, a heartbeat during exercise, or a left turn signal on a racing course. Virtual Reality applications, on the other hand, consist of self-contained units that create an autonomous reality called reality within a visual apparatus. The video and gaming industries fondly use this entertainment application.
- For instance, in May 2024, VueReal, a provider of MicroSolid Printing, announced the introduction of its advanced ColourFusion microDisplay, the latest augmented reality (AR) screen that establishes a fresh benchmark in visual sharpness and color accuracy. This invention applies to both consumer electronics and automotive sectors.
- Moreover, in December 2023, Samsung Electronics assigned all OLED microdisplay projects to the Samsung Display division. At the same time, Samsung Semiconductor Inc. (SSI) and the Samsung Compound Semiconductor Solutions team will be managing the development of all Micro LED microdisplay projects. This area is mainly used in AR glasses with more advanced display needs.
- Moreover, major market players are raising investments to develop innovative products in the AR/VR segment by utilizing advanced microdisplays. For instance, in August 2023, Sony Solutions Semiconductor Corporation announced a major release of its ECX344A, the largest and highest definition 1.3-inch OLED microdisplay with 4K resolution. The new OLED microdisplays are primarily designed for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications that use head-mounted displays. They deliver 4K resolution with a 1.3-type large-size display by employing miniaturization processes that SSS has achieved while developing camera electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and pixel drive circuits.
Asia-Pacific is Expected to Grow Significantly
- Asia-Pacific comprises many developing and developed countries, which are expected to contribute to the regional market’s growth. In China, different industries have shown strong growth that has given rise to the demand for microdisplays, e.g., automobiles, electronics, and healthcare. In China, Japan, South Korea, and India, the flourishing electronics industry and defense sector have been responsible for market growth in Asia-Pacific.
- The largest consumer segment in these countries is more interested in electronic devices such as smartphones, cameras, projectors, smart wearables, and remotely controlled solutions. The Asia-Pacific market for microdisplays has grown because of its fast-transforming automotive production sector. A paradigm shift has occurred within this sector regarding using HUD technologies in automobiles. In the APAC region, these changes are expected to lead to the adoption of microdisplays.
- India is driving industrial and technological adoption with its government's initiatives, such as Make in India and Digital India. This will provide a market opportunity for microdisplay producers and suppliers. Adopting AR or VR technologies for gaming, education, health care, and training is becoming more common to stimulate market growth where microdisplays are integrated into these applications.
- Furthermore, in April 2024, Kopin Corporation, a company that develops high-quality microdisplays, received its third order for producing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) microdisplays. These microdisplays are intended for use in thermal imaging systems for the Indian Armed Forces. The order includes more than 1,200 units and is expected to be delivered within the next six months. The OLED microdisplays produced by the company are known for being small in size and using energy efficiently, making the microdisplays ideal for portable thermal imaging devices that run on batteries.
- Moreover, key market players like LG Electronics, Samsung, and Sony Group have significant market shares in the region. The three world's largest display panel manufacturers, Samsung Display Company, LG Display Co., and Sony Corp., are accelerating efforts to take a leading position in the rapidly growing small organic light emitting diode screen market for virtual reality devices.