JBD recently announced that it will provide microdisplay module products for the medical AR glasses development project under the Strategic Creative Research Promotion Project (CREST) funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). This project, jointly promoted by Tokyo University of Science, Mitsui Chemicals, and other institutions, aims to develop a waveguide medical AR glasses using metamaterials technology. Associate Professor Tomohiro Amemiya of Tokyo University of Science serves as the representative researcher.
In this cross-disciplinary collaborative project, the teams worked closely together to overcome several key challenges, including materials development, optical design, manufacturing technology, software applications, and real-world clinical validation.
Optical structure of medical AR glasses © Science Tokyo
It's worth noting that, to meet the specific requirement of medical AR glasses "not interfering with the doctor's vision and medical procedures," the waveguide lens design of this project differs significantly from that of consumer-grade AR glasses. Consumer-grade AR waveguides focus on virtual image display, with the coupling grating located in the center of the lens and having a large area; while medical AR scenarios emphasize the clear presentation of real-world images, requiring the coupling grating to be cleverly positioned away from the visual center and placed at the bottom of the lens to ensure that doctors can focus on key medical operation areas without obstruction during use.
The goal of this project is to develop a single-layer waveguide medical AR glasses that supports full-color display. The project utilizes JBD's Hummingbird I color light engine. JBD, a leading supplier in the MicroLED microdisplay field, will provide key technical support for the project and fully support the transition of medical AR glasses from concept to practical application.
JBD Hummingbird I Color Light Engine
The JBD Hummingbird I is the industry's smallest color AR light engine, with a volume of only 0.4cc and a weight of just 1g. This compact and lightweight characteristic perfectly matches the design requirements of lightweight AR glasses. At the same time, the Hummingbird I color light engine has a luminous flux of up to 6lm, which, when paired with a specific optical waveguide, can achieve an eye brightness of 6000 nits, while its typical power consumption is as low as 150mW.
This project marks a new exploration of JBD MicroLED microdisplay products in the medical field. Based on the platform funded by the JST Strategic Creative Research and Development Program (CREST), JBD will assist in the development of innovative and practical medical AR glasses. In the future, JBD will maintain close collaboration with this project and continue to provide more competitive MicroLED microdisplay solutions, contributing to the application of AR technology in more fields.
Project Overview <br /> Research Topic: Realizing Medical AR Glasses Using Metamaterials Technology Representative Researcher: Tomohiro Amemiya (Tokyo University of Science)
Collaborating Researchers: Kenji Shirakami (Cellid Corporation), Kenji Iida (Mitsui Chemicals, Ltd.), Soichiro Yoshida (Tokyo University of Science)
Study period: 2024–2029: JBD
Founded in 2015, Shanghai JBD Display Technology Co., Ltd. is a leading global manufacturer of MicroLED microdisplays. By continuously increasing its investment in core technology research and development and product innovation, JBD is constantly leading the development of the microdisplay industry and is committed to providing innovative display solutions for global customers, accelerating the integration and popularization of consumer-grade AR+AI technologies.
