9/27/2001 6:49:00 AM
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BOTHELL, Wash., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Microvision (Nasdaq: MVIS), the
leader in light scanning technologies, today announced it has entered into a
co-operative agreement Walsin Lihwa Corp to develop low-cost manufacturing
capabilities for the eventual mass production of key components of
Microvision’s microdisplay engine intended for consumer and other high-volume
specialty applications. Microvision will work with a newly-formed division of
the Taiwanese advanced materials and electronics powerhouse.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010927/SFTH026 )
Walsin Lihwa has invested over $50 million to establish one of the world’s
first mass production facilities for micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
components in Yang-Mei, Taiwan. Under the agreement, the two companies will
develop and evaluate a variety of low cost manufacturing and packaging methods
for high volume production of Microvison’s patented micro electro-mechanical
systems (MEMS) scanners and scan engines.
The current MEMS scanner chip is a key component of Microvision’s
anticipated Nomad(TM) Personal Display System, which uses the tiny scanning
mirror to create high quality displays by “painting” images directly on to the
retina. While Nomad is aimed at lower volume markets for professional users,
the consumer microdisplay engine design represents the next generation of
Microvision’s retinal scanning display (RSD) technology, emphasizing
high-volume and low cost.
“Microvision’s consumer strategy is to create display products that can
have a dominant position in markets where high performance must be combined
with very low cost. This partnership is a key step towards making such
displays a reality,” noted Russell Hannigan, business development director of
advanced products.
The consumer microdisplay is intended generate a “virtual” image that
appears close in size and resolution to that of desk-top display. This can be
a powerful feature for high-volume applications like digital cameras, gaming
systems, and mobile Internet devices.
“We believe the ‘sweet spot’ in the market for such displays is at prices
below $40,” said Hannigan. “At that price, the potential is for tens of
millions of units annually, and we have aggressive cost targets that we think
will allow us to beat competing displays by a wide margin on both price and
performance.”
The companies expect to spend at least one year developing the production
system that would allow high volume production of MEMS components by 2003.
“With the capabilities of our new MEMS facility, Walsin Lihwa is uniquely
positioned to fabricate, low-cost MEMS devices for mass markets,” said
Dr. I-Ling Cheng, Walsin Lihwa president and CTO. “Our relationship with
Microvision provides the potential for mass fabrication of unique MEMS-based
displays and imaging devices and is entirely consistent with our aggressive
growth strategies.”
Microvision’s patented MEMS device is fabricated from a small sliver of
silicon. The present bi-axial display scanner is roughly half the size of a
dime while future scanners may be much smaller. The tiny scanning mirror
itself is approximately two square millimeters in area — smaller than the
head of a pin. The microscanner is designed to scan in both horizontal and
vertical directions, so that a single beam of light can be precisely steered
at very high speeds across a rectangular image plane. Microvision’s optical
component scans at three times the speed of any other device resulting in a
unique ability to achieve high-resolution video rate images.
About Microvision: www.mvis.com
Headquartered in Bothell, Wash., 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.
Forward-Looking Statement
The information set forth in this release includes “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those
sections. Certain factors that realistically could cause results to differ
materially from those projected in the company’s forward-looking statements
are set forth in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Walsin Lihwa
Based in Taiwan, Walsin Lihwa Corp. is a leading wire and cable
manufacturer producing a wide range of high quality wire and cable, including
fiber optical cables, LAN cable, and passive components for the
telecommunications, data communication and multimedia transmission. Walsin
Lihwa is also active in electronics, specialty steel, technical materials,
construction, and chemical.
SOURCE Microvision
CONTACT: media, Matt Nichols, mattn@mvis.com, or investors,
Brian Heagler, brian_heagler@mvis.com, both of Microvision, +1-425-415-6847;
or Chien-Yung Ma of Walsin-Lihwa, +886-2-2719-2211, ext. 518, or
c.y._ma@walsin.com.tw; or Randy Balogh of Parker LePla, +1-206-285-5280, or
randyb@parkerlepla.com/