10/15/2002 6:32:00 AM
Laser-scanning projection display for passenger entertainment demonstrated in a BMW 7 Series sedan research car
BOTHELL, Wash., Oct 15, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Microvision (Nasdaq:MVIS), the
leader in light scanning technologies for displays and imaging, announced today
that it has been working in close cooperation with German automaker BMW to
create a revolutionary projection display system for rear-seat entertainment.
The display has been integrated into a BMW 7 Series sedan research car and is
being showcased at the World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems in
Chicago October 14-17 and at Convergence 2002 in Detroit October 21-23.
The BMW/Microvision rear seat entertainment display system makes use of a highly
innovative laser projection system developed by Microvision, and a screen —
about half the size of a piece of notebook paper — mounted to the back of the
front seat, enabling rear seat passengers to view high-resolution, full-motion
video images in vivid color. The viewer can also adjust the position of the
viewing surface by means of a convenient electronic actuator.
The compact microprojector module is unobtrusively integrated between the
headliner and the roof of the car so that the projected image passes through a
small window in the car’s headliner, and then is reflected off the viewing
surface.
The unique scanning projection system combines individual red, green and blue
laser light sources to form a single spot, which is then reflected off of a tiny
vibrating mirror on a silicon chip and scanned through an optical system. The
result is a bright display — essential for daylight viewing — with resolution
comparable to a desktop monitor and superior color saturation and range of
color.
Unlike a desktop monitor, the scanned beam display engine has the potential to
be tiny: about the size of a thimble, excluding viewing optics. The combination
of small package size, daylight readability, and accurate color reproduction
makes the display a unique enabler for a variety of automotive applications.
Andrew Lee, Microvision VP Sales said, “This demonstrator is the first step
toward developing a commercially available, rear seat entertainment system.
Nothing like this has been attempted before because, until now, no other
projection technology was capable of meeting the demanding requirements of the
automotive environment. It has been a pleasure working closely with an
innovative and forward-thinking company like BMW on this ground-breaking
project.”
Microvision’s unique scanned beam display technology platform can be configured
to create a wide range of automotive display solutions including:
- Daylight readable, see-through head-up displays for
instrumentation - Night vision head-up display
- Re-configurable, rear-projection instrument cluster and center
console displays - Augmented rear-view mirror displays
- Entertainment and “infotainment” rear seat, front projection
displays
To date, Microvision has built six different types of prototype displays for a
variety of automotive partners, including BMW. According to Lee, “this
exploration phase acts as our spring-board from which we intend to pursue
commercialization of our technology with BMW and other potential customers.”
About Microvision
The company, located on the web at www.microvision.com is headquartered in
Bothell, Washington. Microvision Inc. is the developer of the patented retinal
scanning display technology and a world leader in micro miniature optical
scanning technology for display and imaging applications. The company’s
technology has applications in a broad range of military, medical, industrial,
professional and consumer information products. Nomad is a trademark of
Microvision, Inc.
Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer
Certain statements contained in this release, including those relating to
product demonstration, developing display solutions and commercializing display
technology, and product applications are forward-looking statements that involve
a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected in the company’s forward-looking
statements include the following: market acceptance of our technologies and
products; our financial and technical resources relative to those of our
competitors; our ability to keep up with rapid technological change; government
regulation of our technologies; our ability to enforce our intellectual property
rights and protect our proprietary technologies; the ability to obtain
additional contract awards and to develop partnership opportunities; the timing
of commercial product launches; the ability to achieve key technical milestones
in key products; and other risk factors identified from time to time in the
company’s SEC reports, including in its Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
CONTACT:
Microvision
Matt Nichols, 425/415-6657 (media)
Brian Heagler, 425/415-6794 (investors)
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