Seiko Epson today announced the development of its fourth generation of optical engines for smart glasses – VM-40. These optical engines boast the most advanced optical technology yet for Epson’s next generation of smart glasses in the Moverio series. The new optical engine boasts 1.5X greater density, 5X greater contrast, and a 1.5X wider field of view than our previous optical engines owing to the use of our most advanced silicon organic light-emitting diode (Si-OLED) display and optical technologies. Developers and business operators who are considering developing and manufacturing smart glasses can use this advanced optical engine from Epson to develop and manufacture smart glasses that provide see-through images of exceptional quality.
Epson has been working with actual users to develop compact, lightweight Moverio smart glasses that use their own Si-OLEDs to offer high image quality for a range of consumer and industrial applications. In addition, travel restrictions put in place due to the global spread of COVID-19 have increased the need for smart glasses for business applications, such as to provide remote support for manufacturing industry. The consumer smart glasses market is also heading toward expansion, in part because of demand from individuals who are staying home to watch movies and enjoy social media content.
Applications for smart glasses as personal displays are expanding along with the number of people staying at home and working remotely. Given this situation, Epson has decided to start external sales of optical engine modules to accelerate the creation of customer value through its smart glasses. Epson will continue to drive the growth of the Moverio finished products business, but will also build another core business around the sale of optical engines, a core component of smart glasses.
Advances in artificial intelligence and IoT have caused a rapid increase in digital information, creating an expanding range of applications for smart glasses as a user interface that connects people with that information. Epson seeks to create new value with smart glasses through open innovation with partners.
Epson VM-40 provides advanced display quality by Epson see-through optical technology. It supports not only optical components but also control circuit in order to develop commercialized smart glasses easily. Epson will also begin selling optical engine modules to customers in the consumer and industrial smart glasses markets, where we anticipate considerable growth.
