Kopin to Explore Low Latency Digital Night Vision Under New SBIR Contract
Kopin (NASDAQ: KOPN) has secured a new contract from a Defense customer to integrate its OLED microdisplay with a low-latency digital night vision sensor (PEDBNVIS). This project aims to enhance the performance of next-generation night vision systems by eliminating the need for optical overlays, thus reducing size and power consumption. The goal is to create a fully digital night vision device capable of displaying various spectral and symbology information in a compact assembly. Bill Maffucci, Kopin’s SVP of Business Development, highlights that achieving program objectives will open significant high-volume production opportunities for Kopin's OLED displays.
- Kopin has secured a new Defense contract, indicating trust and future business opportunities.
- The project aims to enhance night vision systems, potentially leading to high-volume production of OLED displays.
- Integrating OLED with digital night vision sensors can reduce size and power consumption, making the product more competitive.
- The success of the project is uncertain and contingent upon achieving program objectives.
- No specific financial details or contract value were disclosed, leaving potential impact on revenue unclear.
- There is inherent risk in the development and integration process that could lead to delays or additional costs.
Insights
Kopin’s new defense contract to develop OLED microdisplays for low-latency digital night vision represents a significant technological advancement. Unlike traditional analog night vision goggles, which rely on image intensifiers to amplify light, this new system integrates digital sensors with high-resolution microdisplays. This shift from analog to digital permits the inclusion of augmented reality (AR) overlays, enhancing situational awareness. Additionally, eliminating the optical overlay reduces the system's size and power consumption, making it more efficient and user-friendly for soldiers in the field. From a technology perspective, this positions Kopin at the forefront of night vision innovation, potentially setting new industry standards.
Kopin’s contract underscores the increasing adoption of digital technologies in defense. The development of power-efficient, high-resolution OLED microdisplays for next-generation night vision systems could open new revenue streams for the company. The defense sector’s consistent demand for advanced visual technologies ensures a stable market and this contract could lead to more similar agreements in the future. Additionally, the technological advancements being developed could have applications beyond military use, including in enterprise and medical fields, expanding Kopin’s market reach. This diversification potential strengthens Kopin’s market position and could drive future growth.
For over 20 years analog binocular night vision goggles (NVGs) have supported the warfighter’s need to see at night. Advanced solutions such as the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) have proven very useful in their ability to bring mixed reality and valuable situational awareness using a digital microdisplay and optics that overlay augmented visual information on the analog night vision goggle scene. Kopin’s role in the new contract is to tightly integrate its high-resolution, high-speed OLED with power efficient digital night vision imaging sensors to eliminate the need for optical overlay and to reduce the size and forward projection of the night vision system.
“Warfighters will benefit from an integrated fully digital night vision device that can display a wide variety of spectral and symbology information in a compact and power efficient assembly, enabling improvements in system layout and overall packaging,” said Bill Maffucci, Kopin’s Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy. “We are pleased that our displays have been selected as a key enabler for the advanced technology development funded under this contract. Successful achievement of the program’s objectives will create a significant new high-volume production opportunity for Kopin’s OLED displays.”
About Kopin
Kopin Corporation is a leading developer and provider of innovative display and optical technologies sold as critical components and subassemblies for defense, industrial and consumer products. Kopin's technology portfolio includes ultra-small Active-Matrix Liquid Crystal displays (AMLCD), Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) displays and Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displays, a variety of optics, and low-power ASICs. For more information, please visit Kopin's website at www.kopin.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are subject to the safe harbor created by such sections. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “can,” “will,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such “forward-looking statements,” which speak only as of the date made, and advise readers that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates, and assumptions by us that are difficult to predict. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to successful achievement of the program’s objectives to integrate Kopin’s organic light emitting diode (OLED) microdisplay with a power efficient low latency digital night vision sensor (PEDBNVIS). Various factors, some of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by us or on our behalf, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements that may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as may otherwise be required by the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations are described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors; Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; and other parts of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, or as updated from time to time our Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240513583702/en/
Kopin Corporation
Bill Maffucci, 508-870-5959
SVP of Business Development and Strategy
bmaffucci@kopin.com
Richard Sneider, 508-870-5959
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Richard_Sneider@kopin.com
or
MZ Contact:
Brian M. Prenoveau, CFA, 561-489-5315
MZ Group – MZ North America
KOPIN@mzgroup.us
Source: Kopin Corporation
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