Himax and AUO Partner to Enhance Augmented Reality Glasses with New High-Brightness Display
Tainan, Tuesday, 30 December 2025.
Debuting at CES 2026, this collaboration unveils a microdisplay boasting an impressive 350,000 nits of brightness, promising to significantly improve visual performance for next-generation wearable devices.
Technological Specifications and Design
On December 30, 2025, Himax Technologies (NASDAQ: HIMX) and AUO Corporation formally announced that their new Front-lit Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) microdisplay will be showcased at CES 2026, scheduled for January 6 through January 9 in Las Vegas [1]. Designed specifically to address the form-factor constraints of current Augmented Reality (AR) glasses, the module integrates Himax’s LCoS technology with AUO’s high-efficiency waveguide [1]. The physical dimensions are notably compact; the display module occupies a volume of 0.09 cubic centimeters and weighs 0.21 grams without a collimator lens [1]. When equipped with the collimator, the total volume increases to 0.34 cubic centimeters with a weight of 0.79 grams, maintaining a profile suitable for lightweight wearable devices [1].
Performance Metrics and Efficiency
Beyond its physical footprint, the microdisplay targets high-performance visual standards essential for consumer adoption. The solution delivers a resolution of 720 × 720 and achieves a brightness of up to 350,000 nits with a 1 lumen output [1]. Color accuracy is also a focal point, with the device achieving 140% sRGB color gamut coverage [1]. Crucially for battery-dependent wearables, the power consumption is minimized to 200 milliwatts [1]. Dr. Wei-Lung Liau, Chief Technology Officer at AUO, emphasized that this collaboration combines their waveguide technology with Himax’s display capabilities to deliver exceptional brightness and ultra-low power in a sleek design [1].
Navigating a Crowded AR Landscape
The timing of this release positions Himax and AUO amidst a surge of competitive activity in the AR sector leading up to CES 2026. The announcement follows closely on the heels of OMNIVISION, which launched its OP03021 single-chip LCOS panel for smart glasses on December 22, 2025 [2]. The broader market is also intensifying; Google has announced that its first co-developed AI glasses, created in partnership with Samsung Electronics and Warby Parker, are scheduled for release in 2026 [2]. Simultaneously, industry reports suggest that Apple Glasses may be unveiled later in 2026, further validating the push toward consumer-grade AR eyewear [2]. To defend its market position, Himax continues to expand its intellectual property portfolio, holding 2,586 granted patents and 371 pending approvals worldwide as of September 30, 2025 [1].
Financial Snapshot and Investor Outlook
From a financial perspective, Himax Technologies remains a key player in the fabless semiconductor space, providing essential components for automotive and consumer electronics [3]. As of the market close on December 29, 2025, Himax stock traded at $8.20 [4]. The company has also maintained a consistent return of capital to shareholders. The annual dividend paid in July 2025 was $0.360 per share, an increase from the $0.280 paid in 2024 [4]. This represents a year-over-year dividend growth of 28.571 percent [4]. With a yield of 4.51% based on recent valuations, the company combines its aggressive technological roadmap with steady income generation for investors [4].