Module makers

Lemoptix is developing MEMS based (LBS) laser pico projector modules. Lemoptix is based in Switzerland was spun-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL).

In August 2010, Lemoptrix raised $1.4 million, and in September 2010 they have shown a prototype of their light module.

Lemoptix's web site

Display Photonics Systems (DPS) is a new start-up that has developed a new single-panel projection technology called Angular Color Projection (ACP). They claim that their solution is more efficient, brighter, smaller and cheaper than current solutions.

DPS has already been granted some patents and created a fully working prototype. They are now seeking funding to complete product development and create a pilot production line in China.

Here's more info about their ACP technology.

Display Photonics' web site

Asia Optical is based in Taiwan and is involved mainly with Optics: lasers, lenses, fiber optics, imaging, DVDs and more.

Asia Optical is working on both Laser-Beam-Steering projectors (making the modules for Microvision) and DLP based pico projectors.

Asia Optical's web site

Lite-On Technology (based in Taiwan) is a provider of innovative products including imaging products, enclosures, power supplies and LEDs. Lite-On has over 35,000 employees and 37 factories worldwide.

Lite-On is developing LCoS pico-projector modules and stand-alone projectors on an ODM basis. They hope to start shipping modules in Q2 or Q3 2010.

Lite-On's web site

3M is fundamentally a science-based company, producing thousands of imaginative products: from health care and highway safety to office products and abrasives and adhesives. 3M has over $25 billion in sales annually, and are traded in the NYSU (ticker: MMM).

3M have an active pico-projection program, with 3 generations already released, all based on LCoS technology. 3M were one of the first companies to actually offer a pico projector, the MPro-110. In August 2009 they have released their 2nd generation projector, the MPro-120 (here's our review), and have recently added the MPro-150 (here's our review).

You can follow 3M Pico Projector news here.

3M's web site

Light Blue Optics is a UK based company working towards touch-enabled Holographic Laser Projection modules. These modules support WVGA-QVGA images at 10 lumens. LBO’s proprietary technology has an ultra-wide throw angle and the ability to correct for optical aberrations using software. These features enable LBO’s miniature projection systems to switch between conventional front projection onto a wall and a novel table-down projection mode where the device is placed on a table and the content is projected down onto the surface in front of it. They also incorporate a infra-red touch sensor.

In January 2010, LBO has announced their first product, the Light Touch. We posted an interview with their BizDev manager in August 2009. Read the latest pico projector news from LBO here.

LBO's web site

Micron DisplayTech is making microdisplays and pico projectors modules based on ferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon (FLCOS) systems.

In May 2009, DisplayTech was acquired by Micron. 

DisplayTech's web site