OQmented is a technology company that specializes in MEMS-based AR/MR display and 3D sensing solutions. The company was founded in 2018 by Thomas von Wantoch and Dr. Ulrich Hofmann and has since grown to a team of around 80 people with five offices globally. OQmented develops ultra-compact MEMS-based light engines that use laser beam scanning technology to offer advantages such as lower power consumption, smaller size, higher brightness and contrast, and superior display performance over other competitive approaches.
The company just raised $20 million in its Series A fundraising round, which included participation from strategic investor Sharp. OQmented plans to use the funds to accelerate getting its light engines ready for the market and to expand its office and laboratory space. Back in 2021, OQmented reported that it had raised $9.3 million of investment, the same year it said it was working with STMicroelectronics for the manufacture of its ‘Bubble MEMS’ devices, which have a patented 3D glass-encapsulation approach to hermetic vacuum sealing of its micro-mirrors.
OQmented’s technology enables tech companies and eyeglass manufacturers to build stylish all-day wearable AR/MR glasses that are suitable for outdoor use. The company aims to become the key enabler for consumer augmented reality glasses and offer complete light engines such as plug-and-play solutions ready for integration.
One of their key patents is titled “Optical Waveguide Display with Asymmetrical Field of View.” This patent covers a design for an optical waveguide display that provides an asymmetrical field of view, allowing the display to be optimized for certain applications, such as augmented reality glasses. Another key patent is titled “Optical Waveguide Display with In-Coupling Structure.” This patent covers a design for an in-coupling structure that allows light to be efficiently coupled into a waveguide display, improving the display’s brightness and contrast.
In addition to their patents, OQmented has also developed several proprietary technologies that are used in their waveguide displays. These include advanced optical coatings, precision manufacturing processes, and specialized alignment techniques. These technologies allow OQmented to produce high-quality waveguide displays that are optimized for specific applications, such as industrial, medical, and consumer AR/VR devices.
In 2019, the company won the “Best AR/VR Startup” award at the AWE Europe conference and was also named one of the “Top 50 Startups to Watch in 2019” by the German Startup Association. In 2020, OQmented was selected as one of the finalists for the prestigious Photonics Prism Awards in the “AR, VR, and MR” category.
