Looking back on 2024, looking forward to 2025: MicroLED technology and AI+AR hardware lead new oppor

At the turn of the end of the year and the beginning of the year, the semiconductor industry in 2024 has left a profound footprint, including technological breakthroughs, as well as running-in and challenges in the industrial chain. Looking forward to 2025, what new opportunities will the global semiconductor market usher in? We specially interviewed Liu Yi, deputy general manager of new market development of Yancheng Hongshi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.(hereinafter referred to as Hongshi Intelligent). He conducted in-depth analysis and prediction on the development of microled technology and the AI+AR hardware market prospects.

Focus on silicon-based MicroLEDs: Hongshi Intelligent's innovation path

Established in 2017, Hongshi Intelligent is committed to the research and development of core technologies for MicroLED microdisplay chips, and relies on silicon-based substrate solutions to build a complete industrial chain from optical device design to module manufacturing. Its MicroLED products are known for their high brightness, low energy consumption, and excellent color performance. Currently, their annual production capacity has reached one million pieces, making it one of the few companies in the world to achieve mature mass production.

Liu Yi pointed out that 2024 is a critical year for MicroLED to fully transform from sapphire substrates to silicon-based substrate solutions. Compared with traditional solutions, silicon-based substrate technology is more in line with the needs of AR display modules and has higher flexibility and process adaptability. However, this transformation requires high investment, including equipment upgrades and process innovation. Hongshi Intelligent has focused on the silicon-based substrate path since its inception. With its long-term technical accumulation in the field of optical sensors, it has achieved a win-win situation of technological leadership and cost advantage.

As an important pillar of the semiconductor industry, lithography technology has also become an important boost in promoting the commercialization of MicroLEDs. Although the core process of MicroLED is different from traditional IC manufacturing, the connectivity of the two in device functions provides an accelerator for technology development. quot; The widespread application of silicon-based substrate technology marks the maturity of the MicroLED industry and also gives us confidence in the future. quot; Liu Yi said.

AI+AR glasses: The next explosion point in the consumer electronics market

In 2024, AI big model technology will fully penetrate into mainstream consumer devices such as mobile phones and PCs, and new hardware forms will emerge one after another. Smart glasses products represented by Meta Ray-Ban have been recognized by the market, which has also stimulated domestic manufacturers 'enthusiasm for exploring AI+AR hardware. At the end of 2024, various types of AI/AR glasses will be unveiled one after another, kicking off the market competition in 2025.

Liu Yi analyzed that there are two major technical shortcomings in the popularization of AI+AR hardware:

1. Limitations of voice interaction: Current AI voice assistants rely on voice instructions, which has low interaction efficiency and is difficult to meet the needs of diverse scenarios. This requires empowerment through AR display technology to achieve a more intuitive interactive experience.
2. Insufficient chip integration optimization: The chip design of existing AI+AR devices is still in its infancy and cannot effectively integrate voice, vision and spatial computing capabilities. Taking AI ordering takeout as an example, this process requires coordinating the calculation and presentation of multiple modules, and the current technical implementation still has bottlenecks.

Faced with these challenges, Liu Yi emphasized that the research and development of the core optical display module of Hongshi Intelligent Focus AR glasses has provided important support for industry breakthroughs. As of the end of 2024, the company has reached cooperation agreements with a number of leading companies to jointly promote the commercial application of AR glasses technology.

MicroLED mass production accelerates: Hongshi Intelligent's new production capacity layout

In order to meet the market demand in 2025, Hongshi Intelligent continues to make efforts in MicroLED core technology. So far, the company has made major breakthroughs in key areas such as epitaxial wafer growth, massive transfer and monolithic color stacking, and has multiple independent patent support. The new production line in Moganshan, Huzhou will also be put into operation by the end of the year. It is expected to achieve KK-level shipping capabilities by 2025, providing strong supply guarantee for the AI+AR hardware market.

Looking forward to 2025: Building global competitiveness and industrial ecology

Speaking of the future, Liu Yi said: The long-term development of China's semiconductor industry requires continuous efforts in independent design and own standards. This is not only a strategic need to deal with international technical barriers, but also a core path to achieve industrial upgrading. quot;

In the field of MicroLED, domestic companies and international competitors are almost at the same starting line. Hongshi Intelligent will continue to focus on technological innovation and application scenarios to help AI+AR hardware become a new outlet in the consumer electronics field. At the same time, through industrial chain coordination and technical cooperation, the company hopes to promote the prosperity and development of the entire industry ecosystem.

2025 will be a year of opportunities and challenges. Whether it is technology iteration or market expansion, only by combining innovation and pragmatism can we go further and more stably on the global semiconductor track.