MicroVision Ships First Interactive Display Engine kits
Ultra-miniature projection engine uses an integrated photonics module containing MEMS and lasers, a short throw optic , two photodiodes, and an electronic platform module
MicroVision, a developer of ultra-miniature projection display and sensing technology, has shipped development kits of its new interactive display engine, the PSE-0403st, one of three devices the firm is developing around its PicoP technology - a laser beam scanning approach for pico projection and 3D sensing.
The PSE-0403sti combines an integrated photonics module (IPM) containing MEMS and lasers, a short throw optic , two photodiodes, and an electronics platform module (EPM) containing MicroVision's proprietary ASICS and system control software.
PSE-0403sti merges projected display and time-of-flight (TOF) sensing to produces high definition projected images that enable an interactive user experience that mimics the familiar touch interface of a smartphone or tablet. In addition to projecting onto a tabletop surface, the PSE-0403sti also has the capability to project larger images onto a wall or even a ceiling while continuing operating as a 3D TOF scanner.
The short throw optic enables creation of an image that has a diagonal width that is nearly two times the height of the device that houses PSE-0403sti.
To enable touch and gesture applications, the display engine collects and outputs 3D point cloud data. Conversion of the 3D point cloud data into specific touch events and/or gesture recognition would be programmed by OEMs and ODMs for their specific products. The development kits MicroVision has shipped will allow the select customers to begin exploring the touch and gesture programming and the industrial design of their potential products.
In addition to the PSE-0403sti interactive display engine, MicroVision plans to offer two other scanning engines: a small form factor display engine and a sensing engine for mid-range LiDAR.
The small form factor display engine is available now, and the company is currently shipping units to a customer in China for its smartphone product.
The company expects to begin shipping samples of the mid-range LiDAR engine in the first half of 2018 with production readiness planned for later in 2018. MicroVision expects to be ready for customer shipment of production units of the PSE-0403sti interactive display engine by the end of 2017.
