ams OSRAM Vegalas™ RGB laser module launched

ams OSRAM Vegalas™ RGB laser module launched, 0.7cm³ optical engine makes smart glasses lighter

• New Vegas™ laser module, which halves the size of the projection optical engine in AR/MR (augmented reality/mixed reality) smart glasses;

• The module significantly saves design space for smart glasses, making them look and feel like ordinary glasses;

• ams OSRAM’s innovation in RGB SMT laser packaging will drive the development of future consumer wearable devices.

China, January 25, 2022 - amsram, a leading global supplier of optical solutions, has released a new prototype of the Vegalas™ laser transmitter module, which will reduce the size of the projection optical engine of augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) smart glasses by half. amsram's innovation in optical component technology reduces many restrictions on the design of smart glasses, making smart glasses as light and fashionable as ordinary glasses and sunglasses that consumers buy every day.

At present, the market for AR or MR smart glasses is mainly in the field of industrial or professional applications. This is because the optical engine or battery of the projection is difficult to make lightweight, and the components are large in size and heavy in weight, requiring a strong frame as support. There is a view in the industry that smart glasses are the next generation of mobile computing technology carriers and will replace smartphones. For manufacturers, in order to provide consumers with satisfactory smart glasses, they must significantly reduce the size and weight without affecting the image quality and brightness.

ams OSRAM unveils new Vegalas™ module prototype, which reduces the size of the optical engine for smart glasses to just 0.7cm³, fitting into standard consumer eyeglass frames.

“The optical and engineering innovations of the Vegalas™ module will significantly accelerate the growth of the smart glasses market,” said Martin Wittmann, Marketing Director of the Visualization & Laser Business Line at ams. “ams’ advanced optical technology has historically driven changes in smartphone design, enabling key innovations such as facial recognition, camera enhancements and bezel-less displays. Now ams is at the heart of the next mobile computing revolution, driving smart glasses into the mainstream consumer market.”

Breakthrough in micro laser module design

The ams OSRAM Vegalas™ module is designed to combine three wavelength lasers: red (640nm), green (520nm) and blue (450nm). It uses surface mount packaging technology and is tightly sealed to prevent chip contamination or degradation. The module measures 7.0mm × 4.6mm and is 1.2mm thick. The Vegalas™ module is expected to start mass production in the first half of 2023. Sample quantities are currently limited.

amsram has partnered with members of the LaSAR Alliance (Laser Scanning for Augmented Reality, lasaralliance.org) to design a projection light engine for a laser scanning system (LBS) based on the Vegalas™ module, combining a MEMS mirror module from STMicroelectronics and a waveguide display from Finnish optics company Dispelix. The latest light engine measures 10mm x 11mm x 6mm (0.7cm3), which is about 60% smaller than the LBS light engine based on three separate amsram TO38 laser emitters, which has a volume of 1.7cm³.

In addition to optical engine lasers for projection, ams OSRAM offers a comprehensive portfolio of optics products that support many other functions for AR applications. These include infrared LEDs and eye-tracking sensors, ambient light sensors, and sensor components for applications such as room scanning, proximity sensing, and indoor positioning.

More information on near-eye projection can be found on the amsosram website.

The ams OSRAM Vegalas™ prototype design could significantly reduce the size of projection units in smart glasses. (Image: ams OSRAM)

With the help of augmented reality glasses, useful information about the user's surroundings can be projected directly into the user's field of vision. (Image: ams-osram)