- Himax (NASDAQ:HIMX +4%) states its wafer level optics (WLO) laser diode collimator has been designed into "laser projectors for next-generation applications." An initial production run for 3D camera applications (involves products to be sampled by "select" partners/customers) is set for Q1.
- Himax declares its WLO solution "has significantly reduced the size of laser projectors," thus allowing active 3D scanners to be built into mobile devices, cars, AR/VR headsets, and IoT products. The company notes it has supplied WLO solutions for smartphone and camera makers since 2009.
- CEO Jordan Wu: "[O]ur expertise in WLO design and manufacturing enables significant size and cost reduction of coded laser projectors. For example, in an active sensing 3D camera projector, our technology can reduce the size of the incumbent laser projector module by a factor of 9, actually making it smaller than conventional camera modules."
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Back in November, Baird talked up the ability of Himax's WLO products to drive adoption of array cameras within the smartphone market. "Multi-lens optics enable low-cost array cameras using a single CMOS sensor ... Array cameras enable the focus to take place post picture processing rather than at the time the picture is taken."
- Himax is higher in spite of a 2.7% Nasdaq drop.