In 2003-2005, MicroEmissive Displays Ltd, Edinburgh; Thales Optics, St. Asaph; and University of Abertay Dundee collaborated on a £0.5 Million (US $0.8M) collaboration on next generation head-mounted display systems.

Microdisplay start-up, optics specialist & research centre get together to meet demand for Lightweight low-power video headsets

• MicroEmissive Displays Ltd, the Edinburgh based pioneer of polymer-based organic light emitting diode (OLED) microdisplays
• Thales Optics, leading manufacturer of optical displays
• EPICentre, University of Abertay Dundee, a centre of excellence in display measurement, characterisation and usability

Applications
The new headsets were intended for use in a broad range of applications from consumer-oriented ones in personal computer gaming, video enabled hands-free kit for cell phones to professional  applicatons such as thermal imaging for emergency services

Advantages
The system developed had the following advantages:
• Reduced size and weight, i.e., increased wearability
• Reduced power consumption, i.e., longer battery life
• Improved ruggedness & operating temperature range, i.e., better usability
• Reduced cost, more affordable

The system incorporated microdisplays based upon MED’s proprietary organic emissive microdisplay technology and novel optics custom designed by Thales to take full advantage of the new microdisplays. The EPICentre contributed by advising upon usability and ergonomic issues in the design and by measuring the physical and human-factors characteristics of the final system.

The project, “Eye-Zone Display System using Emissive Microdisplay” (“EZ Display“) was part-funded by the UK DTI under the LINK Information Storage and Displays (ISD) Programme.