SPIE Photonics West 2026, the world’s largest annual event for the optics and photonics industry, took place from 17-22 January in San Francisco. The exhibition features a wide array of topics, including BiOS, LASE, OPTO, Quantum West, AR | VR | MR. Advanced technologies and applications, such as lasers, biomedical optics, quantum technology, and AR / VR / MR, were demonstrated. Topic One: UV LED vs. SWIR LED Violumas The market demand for UV LEDs is growing steadily across various applications, including curing, solar sim...

TrendForce’s recent research on the near-eye display industry indicates that the growing convergence of AI and wearable devices has resulted in stronger-than-anticipated market response for Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses. In the last six months, Meta has significantly increased orders for several key components. Driven by this strong backing from leading brands, TrendForce forecasts global AR glasses shipments will reach 950,000 units by 2026, a 53% YoY increase. TrendForce’s supply chain survey shows that Meta initially took a cautious approach to AR glas...

Goeroptics, a world's leading AR&MR solution provider, unveiled a suite of advanced XR optical solutions at SPIE AR|VR|MR 2026. The company debut its latest AR flagship product, the F50Se — a 50° FoV full-color silicon carbide (SiC) etched optical module designed for seamless AR experiences. Demonstrating its advanced XR optics technology, Goeroptics also showcased full-color AR optical modules F15Pi (polymer) and F25Ge (glass), as well as a range of ultra-compact MR pancake modules at the exhibition. Large-FoV SiC Module En...

SEMIFIVE, a leading global provider of custom AI semiconductor (ASIC) design solutions, announced today that it has signed a strategic MOU with SAPIEN Semiconductors, a company specializing in advanced micro-LED display driver ASICs. SEMIFIVE and SAPIEN Semiconductors will advance the design and technical evaluation of CMOS backplane technology, which is a core component of micro-displays. This partnership covers both technology and business aspects, including design verification and simulation to enhance technical maturity, technical gui...

Avegant, a venture-backed technology company, is developing next-generation display technology to bring augmented reality (AR) to life, transforming the way we play, learn, work, and interact with each other. Currently, Avegant is partnering with multiple waveguide manufacturers to promote its proprietary non-PBS LCoS technology. TrendForce recently had the opportunity to interview Avegant CEO & Founder Edward Tang, who shared valuable insights into the competitive landscape between LEDoS and LCoS light engines, as well as the company's latest advancements....

Vuzix® Corporation, ("Vuzix" or, the "Company"), a leading supplier of AI-powered smart glasses, waveguides and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies, today highlighted a series of strategic actions underscoring its growing momentum in the security and defense markets. These initiatives reinforce Vuzix' role as an optics OEM supplying high-performance, scalable waveguide solutions to defense integrators and U.S. Department of Defense programs. Building on the momentum and interest at CES 2026, where Vuzix demonstrated a fully functional mil...

Is VR losing momentum? According to CNBC, Meta is scaling back its focus on virtual reality as it pivots toward AI and smart glasses, a shift that has cooled the broader VR industry and raised questions about its outlook. As the report indicates, Meta has cut around 10% of staff within its Reality Labs unit, with layoffs largely concentrated on VR-related initiatives such as the Quest headsets. Teams behind Horizon Worlds were among the hardest hit, and several internal studios were shut down. In total, roughly 1,000 roles were eliminated. The shift is part of ...

AAC Technologies, a global leader in advanced consumer electronics components and modules, and Eulitha AG, a pioneer in high-throughput optical lithography, today announced at the SPIE AR/VR Conference that AAC will begin utilizing Eulitha’s lithography technology for the volume production of Augmented Reality (AR) waveguides. This represents a significant milestone in the industry’s pursuit of scalable and affordable AR waveguide manufacturing. AR devices are widely expected to become a primary interface for ubiquitous access to information thr...

We start 2026 with exciting innovations in optical metrology and a strong presence at key international industry events. In January, we introduce LumiTop X30 AR, our latest camera system for the precise characterization of near-eye displays used in AR glasses. The system will be presented for the first time at SPIE AR/VR/MR 2026 in San Francisco. LumiTop X30 AR combines high spatial resolution with spectroradiometer-based color calibration to deliver highly accurate luminance and color measurements. In addition, it provides detailed analysis of virtual imag...

Appotronics, the inventor of ALPD® laser technology, today unveiled the world's first Laser+LCOS optical engine prototype for Augmented Reality (AR) glasses at the AR | VR | MR Exhibition of SPIE Photonics West 2026. This demonstration signifies the first successful convergence of laser display technology with the AR glasses form factor, establishing a critical milestone toward consumer-grade, all-day wearable AR devices. Held from January 20 to 22 in San Francisco, SPIE Photonics West is the premier global event for lasers, biomedical opt...

OPTIX will showcase its latest reflective AR waveguide and VR pancake optical technologies at SPIE Photonics West 2026, presenting a unified optics platform designed to address core XR hardware challenges including brightness, field of view, image clarity, and manufacturability. At Booth #6327, the company will debut its latest EPIC-50 reflective waveguide delivering up to 6,000 nits and a 50° field of view for next-generation AR glasses, alongside a compact, high-resolution VR pancake optical module engineered for premium headsets. OPTIX, a full-sta...

Vitrealab GmbH, a developer of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for laser–LCoS-based AR light engines, announced today the successful closing of a Series A financing. With a volume of US$ 11 million, the round was significantly oversubscribed. The strong investor interest was driven by an industry-wide inflection in Augmented Reality and Vitrealab’s technology’s strong fit with the performance, efficiency and form-factor demands of next generation AR devices.The investment was led by LIFTT Italian Venture Capital and LIFTT EuroI...

ALLOS Semiconductors of Germany and Ennostar Corporation of Taiwan today announced a strategic partnership to bring 200 mm GaN-on-Si (gallium nitride on silicon) LED epiwafers for microLED applications into volume production. This collaboration represents a key milestone in establishing a silicon fab-compatible supply chain for microLED products. ALLOS Semiconductors and Ennostar announce strategic partnership for 200 mm GaN-on-Si epiwafers Through this partnership, ALLOS will be able to deliver its industry-leading GaN-on-Si epiwafers at the v...

Instrument Systems presents its new camera system LumiTop X30 AR and a broad range of advanced optical measurement solutions at SPIE AR|VR|MR 2026 and SPIE Photonics West 2026 in San Francisco, USA. At SPIE AR/VR/MR and Photonics West from 17–22 January 2026 in San Francisco, Instrument Systems will showcase its latest high-accuracy measurement systems in optical metrology. A key highlight will be the launch of the new LumiTop X30 AR – an advanced camera system for precise characterization of near-eye displays used in AR glas...

Any gamer can benefit from extra display space, but not everyone has the physical space to make it happen — especially if they’re gaming on the go. With the ROG XREAL R1 gaming glasses, these concerns become a thing of the past. Just put these glasses on and you’ll see the gaming display of your dreams. Whether you need a big-screen virtual display for on-the-go ROG Xbox Ally gaming or want an extra monitor for your battlestation that takes up no space, the ROG XREAL R1 Glasses are the solution. These gaming glasses give you a featherweigh...

Vuzix® Corporation, a leading supplier of AI-powered smart glasses, waveguides and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies, and Himax Technologies, Inc., a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, today announced a new Optical Component Reference Design for AR glasses. The design combines Himax's ultra-compact HX7319FL color sequential Front-lit LCoS microdisplay with Vuzix' high-efficiency waveguide technology together to enable lightweight AR glasses that support prescription lenses, while achieving...

We’re on the ground at CES 2026 this week, and there are plenty of reasons to get hyped on and off the show floor. And you didn’t need to make the trek out to Las Vegas to get your hands on our latest AI glasses news. New Features Coming to Display With the launch of Meta Ray-Ban Display and Meta Neural Band last fall, we shipped our most advanced AI glasses yet. And with today’s updates, we’re making the experience of owning a pair more useful, seamless, and future-forward than ever before. From real-time messaging at your fingertips whil...

XREAL builds on the award-winning One Series augmented reality glasses legacy with its most accessible and portable AR experiences yet, transforming how people work, play, and stay powered up XREAL, the global market share and sales leader in consumer augmented reality (AR) glasses, today announced the expansion of its award-winning XREAL One Series lineup with the XREAL 1S, a new standard for premium wearable displays at unbeatable value. Additionally, the company released XREAL Neo, a compact power hub that combines a high-powered portable battery with...

World's first 240Hz spatial display levels up visual performance, scale, and immersion to transform gaming experiences XREAL, the global leader in lightweight XR hardware development, today announced a strategic partnership with ASUS ROG, and together the companies unveiled the ROG XREAL R1 AR Glasses at CES. ROG XREAL R1 are the world's first 240Hz micro-OLED FHD (1920 x 1080) gaming glasses, featuring the exclusive ROG Control Dock for extensive connectivity and compatibility with PCs and consoles. XREAL brings year...

Collins Aerospace highlights military HUD display for drones and other mission-critical applications A broad array of smart-glasses projection engines integrated with Vuzix waveguides will be on display, enabling scalable, production-ready deployments New Enterprise Solutions go-to-market strategy debuts to ease and accelerate customer rollouts at scale Vuzix® Corporation (NASDAQ: VUZI), ("Vuzix" or, the "Company"), a leading provider of AI-enabled smart glasses, waveguides, and Augmented Reality (AR) technology, is...

ams OSRAM, a global leader in innovative light and sensor solutions, will showcase how its latest solutions are powering game-changing applications in nearly every industry at CES 2026 in an invite-only meeting room at the Venetian Expo. Top experts and company executives will share technical insight into the latest lighting and sensing products, discuss current industry trends and address strategies for future growth. “Our continued CES presence demonstrates our commitment to innovation and our position as a trusted lighting and sensing leader,” said Conrad R...

Shin-Tson Wu, a Pegasus Professor at the University of Central Florida College of Optics and Photonics, holds several prestigious titles, including Academician of Academia Sinica, founding member of the National Academy of Inventors in the US, as well as Fellow of IEEE, OSA, SID, and SPIE. Wu is also one of the first six inductees into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. In academic research, Wu has long been dedicated to the field of AI-assisted AR and VR near-eye displays, with his research encompassing optical engines, optical systems, and ad...

The market of AR glasses is still in its early stages of development, with key technologies and product specifications yet to be established. TrendForce estimates that shipments will be less than one million units in 2025. Waveguides are a core component of whole devices that occupy a higher cost ratio. Efforts in cost reduction by waveguide manufacturers will be a crucial driver for the industry's move towards mass adoption. Recently, TrendForce had the opportunity to engage in a detailed conversation with Mr. Wang Jin, co-founder of Goowave, to learn about the latest adva...

Himax Technologies, Inc. (“Himax” or “Company”) (Nasdaq: HIMX), a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, and AUO Corporation (“AUO”) (TWSE: 2409), a technology-driven company advancing the frontier of display innovation, today announced the unveiling of their latest proprietary Front-lit LCoS microdisplay collaboration at the upcoming CES 2026, taking place January 6 – 9, 2026, in Las Vegas, USA. Specifically designed for AR glasses and wearable ...

Ultra-compact cube-shaped projection display targets next-generation AR devices and automotive applications With smart glasses regaining momentum ahead of CES 2026, TriLite will meet with media and industry partners in Las Vegas to demonstrate its Trixel® 3 Cube display engine, designed to support slimmer, more power-efficient AR glasses. At CES, TriLite will highlight the Trixel® 3 Cube, an ultra-compact, cube-shaped laser beam scanning (LBS) projector developed to simplify system integration and support scalable manufacturing. By eliminating the need...

The Shanghai Stock Exchange has recently approved SeeYA’s IPO application. The company intends to raise CNY 2.015 billion to increase its OLEDoS display production capacity and expand its R&D center. TrendForce reports that demand for OLEDoS micro-displays, driven by near-eye devices such as AR, VR, and MR, is projected to reach 31.5 million units by 2030, with a CAGR of 81% from 2025 to 2030. TrendForce observes that SeeYA’s listing signifies a steady decline in Sony’s long-standing dominance of the OLEDoS supply mark...

Consumer bundle planned for Q2 2026 pairs Mudra Link with Rokid Glasses, with live demos at CES 2026 Wearable Devices Ltd. (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW) (“Wearable Devices” or the “Company”), a technology growth company specializing in artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered touchless sensing wearables, today announced a collaboration with Rokid – a global pioneer in human-computer interaction and augmented reality, to deliver gesture control for AI and augmented reality (“AR”) glasses that feels natural, fast an...

Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTX) (“Syntec Optics” or the “Company”), a leading provider of technology products to defense, biomedical, communications, and consumer end-market leaders, today announced it has received a new order to make optics that can enable both day and nighttime readable AR displays. Syntec's lightweight, high-clarity optics will enable US warfighters to maintain focus in high-stress, long-duration combat. VP of business development and delivery, Matt Carey, said, "It is great to have Syntec's innova...

Global MicroLED microdisplay technology leader JBD has officially launched the "Roadrunner I" polychrome projector. As the inaugural product of the new "Roadrunner" series, "Roadrunner I" not only achieves breakthroughs in pixel size and optical efficiency, translating into a substantial advantage in overall form factor, but also elevates the visual experience to a new level and accelerates the popularization of consumer-grade full-color AR smart glasses. Smaller Pixels, Clearer Vision At the core of "Roadrunner I" is a newly...

Founded in 1997, Jorjin Technologies has specialized in the ODM field of AR/MR digital wearable products for over 10 years, and holds numerous core key technologies and patents in AR/MR. Leveraging advanced hardware technology, ultra-high resolution 2D/3D imaging, and intuitive natural human-machine interaction UI/UX through voice, gestures, head, and eye-tracking precise controls, Jorjin launched Asia’s first AR/MR smart glasses with eye-tracking functionality, the J7EF Gaze, in 2022. Notably, Jorjin has been invested in by Foxconn Group since 2023, ...