Garmin is the first to launch a smartwatch using a microLED display. But its power consumption is higher than a comparable OLED-based smartwatch offered by Garmin as well. This power consumption challenge is one that VueReal CEO Reza Chaji say they are addressing directly with a new three-pronged strategy.

First, this coming spring will be a third generation of microLED products that will boost performance and efficiency. Secondly, the company is moving away from an LTPS backplane drive approach – one that almost all are using – to a micro-driver realized in CMOS silicon.  “We can be around 20% or so less power compared to OLED just by switching that,” says Chaji.

The third element is the integration of the microLED and CMOS driver with a solar cell to capture light being lost by the microLED as well as converting ambient light. Chaji explained that they can use their MicroSolid Print technology to bond the microLEDs and microICs directly on a monolithic solar cell as there is open space between the conversion sites to allow this without adding any thickness.

Different solar cell technology can be used for various applications. For example, II-V material solar panels offer higher efficiency at 40-43% vs. amorphous silicon at 20-25%. In addition, new variants are coming that can offer quantum dot or perovskites to aid in conversion.

But what about the cost of this approach? “We have a roadmap where in two years we’re going to be at cost parity with OLED,” says Chaji. He says their small, 10-micron microLED size along with high wafer yield and their efficient transfer technology are the keys to achieving this goal. And, the cost of the microIC will not be very different than the cost of an LTPS backplane.

Chaji says they are developing two versions of their microIC: one controls a 3×2 RGB pixel array and the other one is a 10×10 RGB pixel array controller. Each will include a sensor, plus an extra channel for transparency control.

“Our business model is not to be a display manufacturer,” explains Chaji. “It is to enable others to produce displays. It’s similar to a printing process. We want to provide the backplane and a variety of cartridges—MicroLED, micro-sensors, micro-solar, micro-drivers—whatever you want to print. The company can create their own applications. We provide them with a printer and the cartridges; they can develop and scale their production in-house.”