A breakthrough in chip technology from Ningbo, Zhejiang province, is set to accelerate the development of China's AR glasses industry.

Yicai Xinguang Technology (Ningbo) Co Ltd, a startup based in Ningbo's Yingnuo Incubator of Yongjiang Laboratory, has developed China's first perovskite quantum dot full-color micro-LED chip tailored for augment reality, or AR, applications. The chip is expected to enter mass production this autumn and will be integrated into domestically made AR glasses.

According to Li Fei, the company's founder and general manager, the chip functions as a "translator" in AR glasses, converting digital signals into precise optical outputs. Compared to conventional options, this innovative chip is cadmium-free, making it more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Its thinner light-conversion layer also boosts brightness while significantly reducing power consumption.

The development team spent two years tackling critical AR challenges such as poor outdoor visibility and high energy use. Under bright sunlight, the chip maintains high luminance, delivering vivid images that are easy on the human eye. It also operates below 500 milliwatts, minimizing heat output. Rigorous testing under extreme conditions has confirmed the chip's durability, with a lifespan exceeding 500 hours - equivalent to around 30,000 hours of real-world usage.

Initially targeting the AR glasses market, the chip also shows promise in fields like automotive AR head-up displays, smart matrix headlights, and pocket projectors.

Li Fei explains the chip's functions while wearing AR glasses. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]