The AI wave is driving a surge in data center computing throughput demand, while the “communication bottleneck” in AI servers is becoming a key constraint on their scale expansion. Current copper interconnect technology suffers from signal attenuation, crosstalk, and low energy efficiency at higher data rates. Although optical interconnect using silicon photonic modulators can provide higher capacity, it is facing bottlenecks in bandwidth density, cost, and energy per bit. A breakthrough in next-generation optical interconnect technology is imperative.
At this moment of industrial transformation, BOE HC Semitek and Shanghai New Vision Microelectronics officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The two parties will focus on Micro LED-based optical interconnect technology, leverage the dual advantages of “chip manufacturing + driver design,” and prioritize R&D and production of Micro LED optical interconnect technology and optical modules, while deepening collaboration in frontier fields such as AR smart glasses and ADB smart headlights.
Strong Alliance: Precise Complementarity to Build a New Industrial Synergy Ecosystem
This strategic cooperation is based on the high alignment and precise complementarity between the two parties in industrial layout and technological advantages.
As a globally leading LED chip manufacturer, BOE HC Semitek has consistently led industrial development through technological innovation and possesses deep technical accumulation and industrialization strength in the Micro LED field. Relying on the world’s first mass-production 6-inch Micro LED production line, the company has achieved stable mass production and commercial delivery of Micro LED wafers and pixel devices, laying a solid hardware foundation for expanding downstream application scenarios. Its technological extension from display to optical communication further demonstrates its foresight and comprehensiveness in Micro LED ecosystem layout.
Shanghai New Vision Microelectronics, as a domestic display chip design company, is deeply engaged in R&D and innovation of display technologies. Through innovative breakthroughs in core technologies such as image compression, embedded capacitors, and innovative architecture design, it has developed low-power, high-reliability driver ICs that are widely used in diverse scenarios including smart wearables, industrial control displays, and automotive displays. The company’s deep technical accumulation in driver ICs helps provide core support for efficient integration and performance optimization of Micro LED optical modules and serves as a key hub connecting chip manufacturing with terminal applications.
In the future, the two parties will conduct joint R&D in three core directions to precisely address diversified display and application needs in the AI era:
First, strategically open a new track in optical interconnect for intelligent computing centers and officially launch R&D and production of Micro LED optical modules. Against the backdrop of global computing power explosion, intelligent computing centers have an increasingly urgent demand for low-power, high-bandwidth, and high-reliability optical interconnect technologies. With its core technical advantages, Micro LED optical modules have become a core development direction in the optical interconnect field. Through this cooperation, BOE HC Semitek will officially initiate its R&D and production layout for Micro LED optical modules and, together with New Vision Microelectronics, develop low-power, high-bandwidth, and high-reliability optical interconnect modules suitable for intelligent computing centers based on Micro LED technology. This will comprehensively break through the bottlenecks of traditional optical module technologies, provide core hardware support for AI computing power improvement, help upgrade and iterate digital infrastructure, and seize the technological high ground in the optical interconnect field.
Second, tackle Micro LED microdisplay modules for AR/AI smart glasses. Currently, AR glasses are widely recognized as the best carrier for AI implementation, and lightweight design and high-definition display are key to their entry into the consumer market. The two parties will jointly develop Micro LED microdisplay modules suitable for AR/AI smart glasses, focusing on solving the stringent requirements of current XR devices for display resolution and power consumption control, and providing core technical support for an ultra-thin, lightweight, high-definition, and imperceptible AR wearing experience.
Third, lay out technology upgrades related to ADB smart headlights. As the automotive intelligence wave advances, smart headlights have become an important extension of automotive display. The two parties will tackle Micro LED module technologies related to ADB smart headlights, support the intelligent upgrade of the automotive display field, and promote dual improvements in automotive interaction experience and safety performance.
This cooperation will officially launch a deep synergy model of “chip manufacturing + driver design.” Through resource sharing and technological complementarity, the two parties will connect the upstream core links of the Micro LED optical interconnect industry chain and build a new industrial ecosystem featuring complementary advantages and win-win synergy.
Technology First: Multiple BOE HC Semitek Products Soon to Achieve Scale Deployment
BOE HC Semitek has already made advance arrangements and achieved staged results in Micro LED innovative applications, laying a solid foundation for the rapid advancement of this strategic cooperation:
In the AR microdisplay field, the company’s 0.13-inch AR microdisplay screen and AR prototype have been successfully exhibited at multiple exhibitions and will be gradually introduced in the first quarter of 2026, taking the lead in commercial deployment；
In the intelligent automotive field, the ADB (digital headlight) 40K-pixel product is progressing smoothly and will pass AEC-Q automotive qualification in the first quarter of 2026. It is expected to achieve large-scale “on-vehicle” deployment with domestic digital headlights, providing strong support for the intelligent upgrade of automotive display.
Empowering Industrial Upgrade: Jointly Building China’s Core Competitiveness in Micro LED-Based Optical Interconnect and New Display
The integrated development of AI technology and new display technology has become a core trend in industrial upgrading. As a recognized next-generation display technology and a core direction of optical interconnect technology, Micro LED is accelerating breakthroughs in industrialization bottlenecks under AI empowerment while also providing a better hardware carrier for the implementation of AI technology.
This strategic cooperation between BOE HC Semitek and New Vision Microelectronics realizes key synergy between upstream chip manufacturing and driver IC design in the MLED industry chain. In the future, BOE HC Semitek will take this cooperation as an opportunity to make Micro LED optical modules one of its core strategic directions, continuously deepen core technology R&D and large-scale production layout, further expand the application boundaries of Micro LED technology in optical communication, intelligent display, and more frontier scenarios, and work with industry chain partners to build an open and win-win industrial ecosystem.
