Smart wearables including watches, glasses, headphones and others are considered rising stars in the consumer market with more and more big names launching products combining different functions for medical use, health care, entertainment and more. According to Trendforce, the global shipments of smart watches in 2019 are estimated to reach 62.63 million units.

The requirements of wearable products include small size, light weight, low power consumption and environmental resistance. The progressing Micro LED technologies thus become critical for the development of smart wearables.

The industry expects Micro LED to be the next generation display for innovative applications for smart watches and glasses with its high brightness, low lifetime and power efficiency features. Rumors of Apple using Micro LED for the new Apple Watch or the AR headset integrated with 5G iPhone in the coming 2020 continue to go on. As several related Apple patents were revealed and Micro LED technology getting more mature, these rumors become even more convincing.

Meanwhile, players in the supply chain have already firmed strategic partnerships to prepare for the growing wearable market. British Micro LED specialist Plessey announced long-term partnership with Vuzix for Micro LED-based AR glasses and collaborated with microdisplay solution provider Compound Photonics for developing solutions for the AR and MR applications.

(Image: Plessey)

PlayNitride, the Taiwanese startup focusing on Micro LED, works together with RiTdisplay in flexible Micro LED displays. The two companies presented small size Micro LED display modules at Touch Taiwan 2019 and are expecting mass production in 2020.

Micro LED technology builder glō teamed up with Kyocera in Japan to bring a Micro LED panel in the CEATEC 2019. They also target smart wearable applications.