This partnership represents a crucial step towards making augmented reality glasses a mainstream product in the industry.

The new microLED display features an impressive brightness of 6,000,000 nits at a resolution of less than 5 micrometers, while also consuming ultra-low power, addressing significant technical challenges in AR hardware.

On January 14, 2025, Plessey Semiconductors announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Meta to develop the world's brightest red microLED display for augmented reality glasses.

The Orion AR glasses, part of this initiative, are designed with a 70-degree field of view, high-performance waveguides made of silicon carbide, custom silicon, microLED projectors, and an integrated input system.

This announcement follows Meta's previous prototype, 'Orion,' unveiled last year, which integrated advanced AR features into a conventional glasses design.

Jason Hartlove, Vice President of Display and Optics at Meta's Reality Labs, highlighted the importance of these technological breakthroughs for creating comfortable AR glasses that enhance human connection.

Dr. Keith Strickland, CEO of Plessey, expressed pride in the partnership with Meta, emphasizing their joint efforts as a significant advancement in AR technology.

Plessey is committed to a long-term commercial agreement with Meta, focusing on the development of prototypes and technologies for the extended reality (XR) market.