In a recent interview with Display Daily, Reza Chaji, the CEO of VueReal, shared his insights on the current state and future potential of Micro LED technology. VueReal, a company focused on developing Micro LED transfer technology, aims to create a blueprint that can be adopted by a wide range of companies, from small to midsize firms, enabling them to produce customized products for various applications.
Chaji emphasized that despite recent news about Apple pushing back its plans for a Micro LED version of the Apple Watch, he believes the MicroLED industry still holds immense potential. He argued that the challenges associated with MicroLED manufacturing, particularly the transfer process, are now more evident to everyone in the industry. This, he believes, positions VueReal favorably, as the company has been focusing on developing solutions to address these transfer-related challenges.
According to Chaji, MicroLED technology offers a paradigm shift compared to traditional display technologies like OLED and LCD. He pointed out that MicroLEDs enable the integration of additional functionalities, such as sensors, which current display technologies cannot achieve. While acknowledging the impact of major players’ decisions on the industry, Chaji maintained that the potential of MicroLED technology is too significant for any company to abandon indefinitely.
VueReal’s approach focuses on enabling small to medium-sized companies to produce customized MicroLED products, catering to various markets such as automotive, fitness, and wearables. By developing a blueprint that includes their printer and other necessary tools, VueReal aims to accelerate the adoption of MicroLED technology across a diverse range of applications.
Chaji highlighted that VueReal’s transfer solution not only controls optics, capex, yield, and associated costs but also directly influences the cost of LED materials. By increasing wafer utilization and the number of LEDs that can be produced on a single wafer, VueReal’s technology helps reduce material costs. Additionally, their low-capex, high-yield tools enable the production of more displays within the same operation time, leading to lower operating costs.
While acknowledging that the current supply chain may not be ready for high-volume production of MicroLED displays for smartphones, Chaji believes that premium products can already benefit from this technology. He emphasized the importance of focusing on markets where MicroLEDs can offer unique features and advantages, such as automotive lighting, transparent displays, and AR/VR applications.
Chaji also stressed the potential of MicroLED technology beyond displays, particularly in the integration of sensors for various applications in fitness, health, security, and automation. He sees this as a trillion-dollar market opportunity by 2030, with no clear market-leading solutions currently available.
As VueReal continues to develop its micro printing technology and expand its partnerships, Chaji remains optimistic about the future of MicroLEDs. While the industry may face challenges and setbacks, he believes that the unique advantages offered by this technology will drive its adoption across a wide range of applications, ultimately transforming the display and sensor landscape.
