Daniel Iwata on OLED Market

Daniel Iwata, BA, Dip. Fin. Mgmt.

Equity Research Associate

OLED technology quickly growing in display market 

 

 A more speculative investment that give exposure to OLED displays is eMagin (NYSE MKT:EMAN), a company that produces micro displays for personal use. They have displays with applications for military, industrial, medical and consumer products. They research, design and produce their current line of displays, and were profitable in 2012.

 

http://www.baystreet.ca/articles/research_reports/fundamental_research/AIW-Oct-15-2013-FINAL.pdf

Zeiss Cinemizer Review-PC Magazine

best they've tested but still find some drawbacks. I'd like to ask if Paul Campbell still has one of these in his office and if so, why?


http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2425054,00.asp

Display Central: Display Industry is Still under Distress

Someday we'll find out how big that "IF" is.

From The Article:

"The remaining question is where is the display industry going?  When we look at the latest trends in our industry, we see that most discussions are centered around wearable devices such as augmented reality headsets and Smartwatches.  Both could bring significant numbers of unit sales, but given their size, only marginal display area.  If the headset takes off, the winner here will be the microdisplay makers and not the LCD makers that produce TVs today. Other than wrapping large objects in displays, there seems to be no application in sight that would use all of this LCD capacity we built up over the years.  Does anyone have a great idea what to do with all this LCD capacity?"

 http://www.display-central.com/free-news/display-daily/display-industry-still-distress/

The Woz (Steve Wozniak) bullish on virtual, augmented reality

and the reporter couldn't wait to ask about...of course he's a big fan that has yet to try it (see Roller Coaster Vid below).

And on VR and AR in general:

“I’m bullish and predict a huge future for it,” he said. “Not only that, but it’s a great opportunity for entrepreneurs.”
He said he can see a lot of uses for it. ”Especially for games, but also education and training people, and preparations for missions.”

http://www.hypergridbusiness.com/2013/10/the-woz-bullish-on-virtual-augmented-reality/

Entering Virtual Reality with the Oculus Rift (Rift Coaster)

I think his pals had a lot more fun than him.  You'll still get the flavor, ugh, back of the throat type flavor, if you skip to the last minute.

Where are the Abstraction Layers?

 I guess it's too simple to say it'll happen when demand becomes large enough for head mounted displays which will, in turn,   create an economic incentive to write them. Yuval, license SmartGoggles IP to Microsoft and it will happen overnight. Same Chicken vs. Egg thing you were writing about last week. We have to reduce the uncertainty in this space or we'll all lose it. Before an HMD Driver we need an economic driver.

http://vrguy.blogspot.com/2013/10/where-are-vr-abstraction-layers.html

Potenziato Notte Concetto Da Exelis (eMagin Dentro)

"Celebrating the first delivery of our i-Aware Tactical, TM-NVG to Selex Galileo to support Italian Army requirements."

Bravo!

The eMagin OLED Advantage for Microdisplay Applications

This presentation will be given at OLEDs LIVE! USA 2013 on Nov 20, 2013.

 

Presentation Summary

• The OLED advantage

• From augmented reality to simulation, training and gaming

• Broad based applications with large market potential

http://www.idtechex.com/events/presentations/the-emagin-oled-advantage-for-microdisplay-applications-004230.asp

eMagin Will Be Exhibiting At The AUSA Annual Meeting Next Week Flogging Their Displays, Hey Soldier, Step Right Up!

 http://assets.cdnma.com/6556/assets/Annual_Meeting_2013/Exhibitor-List-as-of-10-10-13.pdf

HMD Du Jour- LCOS Omnivision

http://www.realareal.com/omnivision-releases-omniglass-reference-design-fast-growing-wearable-electronics-market

Canon MREAL Promo Video

looks like Canon is stepping up the Marketing of their Mixed Reality HMD, we believe the System uses eMagin AMOLED Microdisplays. The MREAL System Retails for around $125,000, the expectation is that more moderately priced HMDs are in development.

http://downloads.canon.com/cpr/video/Canon_MixedReality.mov

Disruptions: Bit by Bit, Virtual Reality Heads for the Holodeck

"Yes, I know Los Angeles hotels and snowy castles are an unusual combination, so here’s the other half of the story: I was wearing Oculus virtual-reality goggles — they look a bit like blacked-out ski goggles with a screen inside. Despite the blandness of my physical surroundings, my eyes told me I was immersed in an icy scene straight out of “Game of Thrones.” And my stomach told me I had been right to pack Dramamine for this virtual trip."

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/bit-by-bit-virtual-reality-heads-for-the-holodeck/?_r=0

Top 5 Companies in the Electronic Manufacturing Services Industry With the Highest EBITDA Growth (KEM, EMAN, MFLX, MEI, CTS)

Amy Schwartz's turn to be Good Cop. Tomorrow Chip will have somebody be Bad Cop.

"Top Company in the Electronics Services Industry with an Unusually High Rate of Anti-Depressant Usage Among Their Shareholders (EMAN)"


http://www.mysmartrend.com/news-briefs/news-watch/top-5-companies-electronic-manufacturing-services-industry-highest-ebitda-gro

12 Year Old Girl Hits 1000 Yards with TrackingPoint Smart Rifle

Are we ready for American Girl Snipers? Emphatic, yes. This is the Smart Trigger version, the $25K one. The Remington version is MSRP $5249.00. From all indications they are selling very well. The Remington 2020 Site now requires a potential buyer to "Apply" to buy one so the ramp up in production capacity seems more than warranted. There is no reason to believe, beyond my eMagin induced paranoia (see chart upper right) that the Big Green version uses anything other than an eMagin OLED display. Cost to build the scope is said to be around $3k so $700-$900 for the display in the HUD fits into that range with a total cost of the system, Remington 700, ammunition etc should be around $4k. Profit margins in gun sales are around 15%-20% so that sort of works out. A top of the line scope from Schmidt & Bender or similar run around $3500 so Remington is very competitive in terms of price and superior in terms of performance BUT! the purists are put off (there's always been rifle Butts) but the times they are a changin'. BANG! ZING! HIT! This video is as much fun as Granny playing with the Oculus Rift but the only repercussions with the rifle was a new dent in a target, we did not get to see Granny rushed to the ER with Dizziness, nausea and a skull splitting headache. Just kidding Team OR. Sorta.

No! Don't Give Them To Park Rangers! I might like to visit the Jefferson Memorial some night! TiCAM 750 Thermal Imaging Binoculars (eMagin Inside) from Thermoteknix

http://www.thermoteknix.com/products/thermal-night-vision/ticam-750-thermal-imaging-binoculars/

Dual eMagin SVGA

Another OLED Wearable Makes It's Entrance, (Any other OLED Microdisplay Makers, maybe an American one, have an answer to this? Bueller? Bueller?)

from Chinese OLED Microdisplay Company Olightek. Eyetop is it's name and Augmented Reality is it's game.

http://www.radiofacts.com/first-one-wearable-computer-coming/

Alone in the rift : Because In Inner Space Nobody Can Hear You Barf

              
Pretty entertaining Review by a Canadian Wise Guy, around 4:30 mark he starts to turn green.

ATN TICO Thermal Imaging Weapon Sights - OpticsPlanet.com Product in Focus

Good, ATN and Optics Planet are pitching the TICO (eMagin Inside) to hunters. Smaller form factor, lighter weight, battery life, all the top selling points for an OLED Display.

Captain Phillips

"Sights on Target" that's your cue eMagin, the little display makes it's much anticipated Film Debut in "Captain Phillips", left on the Cutting Room Floor in "Zero Dark Thirty" eMagin is ready for it's closeup. Look at the scope of that acting ability.

Kopin Wireless Remote Control

It looks like Kopin has smoothed out the operation of the Golden-I since I demoed it last year, the system seems to move quickly through tasks and the voice recognition seems greatly improved. The position of the screen is still difficult to work around, when he said "You don't have to let go of the reins" i.e. mounted Policeman, well, you hope your horse can make like a statue because you could see the need by the presenter to constantly adjust the monocle. The 15 inch screen looks smaller than that. A very professional look at the Golden-I.

From an Interview with Oculus Rift Nate Mitchell VP Product Development

" Is there any involvement or interest from the government or the military?

" Definitely the military. The government…I guess yes because of the military, but I can’t pick a project in my head and say, “The government bought that kit!”
The military uses VR for all sorts of things, specifically training, because it’s much, much cheaper to put someone in a training simulator than to actually run an op or something—whether it’s a medical operation or a combat mission or flight training or driving training. Simulators constantly cost down these programs. "

A natural follow-up might be , "Do have an idea of any specific military program or programs which are suited to the capabilities of the Oculus Rift?"  

 I'll be waiting for that answer. I find it interesting that the OR and Virtusphere are tagged in the same story. The Flying Karamazov Brothers & Their Hamster Ball of Death.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2053682/oculus-rift-team-talks-steam-support-hamster-balls-and-90s-vr-at-indiecade.html

A night on the mountaintop in Afghanistan

aided by Exelis (eMagin Displays) ENVGs, pictured in silhouette.

http://www.army.mil/article/112945/A_night_on_the_mountaintop_in_Afghanistan/

American Technologies Network Corp. (ATN) Introduces the Next Evolution in Thermal Imaging Technology with the TICO-Series

 http://gunupthemagazine.com/2013/10/08/american-technologies-network-corp-atn-introduces-the-next-evolution-in-thermal-imaging-technology-with-the-tico-series/

Clip-on is migrating to Law Enforcement, Borders, Homeland Security, let's just hope they don't fall into the hands of the National Park Service. Bears stealing Picinick Baskets, Day or Night would be shot on sight.

"The display is a color OLED matrix and has video output capabilities. The objective lens is a 50mm with full MIL-SPEC and DLC coating to prevent scratches and dust."

Conon MREAL, Oculus Rift Type Device (eMagin Inside) Goes For A Marketing Spin

Is Apple wasting its time with the iWatch?

Maybe, the Galaxy Watch, clever adverts aside, was lambasted by the NY Times and consumer demand for a Watch-like device is down near Congress Approval Rating. Maybe this creates a wider opening for HMD. There HAS to be a "Next Big Thing.

"http://money.msn.com/technology-investment/post--is-apple-wasting-its-time-with-the-iwatch

TrackingPoint PGF (eMagin Inside)

 had their biggest month to date in September, they are moving next month to a facility twice as large to ramp production. They'll be in Philly next week at Chiefs of Police Convention to market the rifle, be good out there people or a Police Academy bottom of the Class Rookie on Probation will drop ya without breaking a sweat.

Sony Personal 3D Viewer "No Longer Available"

How many did they have to sell in Pre-Order, 1000?

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/13668.html?

EG5 Ralph Osterhout :Oldie but Goodie

Ron Mertens, we offer all the Simulated Weaponry we can after this cowardly and unprovoked attack on OLED-Info.con

by this Aresenio character. The guy must be bonkers.  Actually WE could use a little drama to stir up our Animal Spirits, eManistan, sadly, is like Luxembourg, an unknown place where nothing ever happens. Hey, I'll attack you if you want! No such thing as bad publicity.

Raydon IGTs

http://www.raydon.com/igt.php

Raydon IGT with various Oculus Rift style/eMagin made devices training with, as Yuval would say, "simulated weapons"

Can Oculus Rift Turn Virtual Wonder into Commercial Reality?

When the Oculus Rift does become available to the consumer I think it's a safe bet that it will not be sold for the same price as the DRK. There's some tension there as OR Execs have been touting the OR as VR "for the masses." The "masses are asses" a wise man once said and if they feel that on some level you've sold them out if the cost escalates to a realistic market driven selling point well... What price will a "mass" market bear for such a device that will keep production going and growing with the attendant needs of ongoing research and ahem... a profit for his Kickstarters? And then there is the problem of motion sickness. Add the cost of a quality head tracker to the cost of the Developer's Kit and you are more than inching closer to retail on for e.g. the new Sony debuted yesterday. Euphoria will not get the cattle to Abilene.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/519801/can-oculus-rift-turn-virtual-wonder-into-commercial-reality/

HMD Du Demain Au Jour'dui

http://www.aerocross.net/news.htm

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_10_07_2013_p47-620675.xml

Sony Introduces Portable, Wireless Head Mounted Display

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-introduces-portable-wireless-head-mounted-display-226767371.html

Anybody else want to mix it up? Anybody?

Eldar Murtazin (never heard of him either) reports that Samsung is working on a Google Glass Rival

http://www.whatmobile.net/2013/10/07/samsung-gear-glass/

Near-Eye Light Field Displays (HMD/VR) w/ Sony OLED Microdisplays

                     

http://silicon-valley.siggraph.org/index.php?action=event/index
                                                         
Mr. Lanman presents his HMD in the Belly of the LCOS Beast. Jerry and Company are minutes away with Murican OLED Microdisplays. Drive over there Mr. Carollo and give the Security Guard your Business Card. For some reason the last line of the recent HMD Report won't go back to where it belongs. Floating, no Gravity in Cyberspace.

A One Trick Pony Customer but a Customer Nevertheless

EMX International earns 1 Monkey

             


http://www.emxinternational.com/products/mk2a/

Product Du Jour FLIR LS-64 eMagin SVGA

DoD contracts to combat degraded visual environments for SOCOM helo pilots

This is a Demonstration Project until 2017 but the last paragraph is interesting, I did not know this.  USAF SPEC OPS has already adopted the Elbit Brownout System for the Osprey. That HMD uses an eMagin Display.

"Companies known to have developed such DVE sensor systems include BAE Systems with its Brownout Landing Aid System Technology, Elbit Systems of America with its colour HMD system (already adopted by US Air Force Special Operations Command to equip crews of its Bell-Boeing CV-22 Osprey special mission tiltrotor), Goodrich with its TERPROM ground proximity warning system, and Lockheed Martin with its Pathfinder (based on its Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor)."

http://www.janes.com/article/27777/dod-contracts-to-combat-degraded-visual-environments-for-socom-helo-pilots

Report: Global Microdisplay Market To Hit 995.0 Million by 2016

http://news.wooeb.com/1443596/a70079/report-global-microdisplay-market-to-hit-usd-995-point-0-million-by-2016

The global microdisplays market is expected to reach $995.0 million by 2016 from just about $250 million in 2011 at a CAGR of 31.82% from 2011 to 2016. The use of these displays in the head mounted displays will indirectly help the microdisplays market to increase. These head mounted displays are used extensively in the military and the medical field. - See more at: http://news.wooeb.com/1443596/a70079/report-global-microdisplay-market-to-hit-usd-995-point-0-million-by-2016#sthash.0IxfWHYy.dpuf

The global microdisplays market is expected to reach $995.0 million by 2016 from just about $250 million in 2011 at a CAGR of 31.82% from 2011 to 2016. The use of these displays in the head mounted displays will indirectly help the microdisplays market to increase. These head mounted displays are used extensively in the military and the medical field. - See more at: http://news.wooeb.com/1443596/a70079/report-global-microdisplay-market-to-hit-usd-995-point-0-million-by-2016#sthash.0IxfWHYy.dpuf

The global microdisplays market is expected to reach $995.0 million by 2016 from just about $250 million in 2011 at a CAGR of 31.82% from 2011 to 2016. The use of these displays in the head mounted displays will indirectly help the microdisplays market to increase. These head mounted displays are used extensively in the military and the medical field. - See more at: http://news.wooeb.com/1443596/a70079/report-global-microdisplay-market-to-hit-usd-995-point-0-million-by-2016#sthash.0IxfWHYy.dpuf

India Pursues Indigenous ATGM Amid Javelin Talks

6,000 in the first year, I read that as stand-alone systems which means, 6,000 CLUs but it's India and it's Defense Reporting so who really knows. But the CLU houses an eMagin display.

"The full details of Washington’s latest Javelin proposal have not been released, but MoD sources said the US wants to sell around 6,000 units within one year of the signing of the contract. In the future, the US would explore co-production of the Javelin and, at a later stage, work on the co-development of an ATGM tailor-made for India."

" A Lockheed Martin executive said Javelin is better than any other man-portable ATGM because it is ejected non-explosively, which is useful to the Indian Army in higher terrain. The executive, however, declined to discuss details of Carter’s proposal."

 http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131003/DEFREG03/310030019/India-Pursues-Indigenous-ATGM-Amid-Javelin-Talks

HMD Du Jour: Oakley Airwave 1.5

Partners

 Kopin has Motorola, Himax has Google, Oculus Rift has Kickstarter, Microoled has Photonis, Intel invested in Recon, I am perplexed as to why at this point eMagin doesn't have a big brother. I find it nettlesome.

"Don't have a cow, man"

        

Sensics CEO scans the Current Landscape in Microdisplay, his thoughts and mine...

We wonder too as eMagin Investors, His characterization that eMagin loses money is sporadically true. Not mentioning difficulties in manufacturing  and attempts, we're waiting to find out, at rectifying problems with the new tool leaves his analysis incomplete. Like many he is blind to the military market. Yuval, what exactly is a "simulated weapon?" I hate to quote Keyshawn Johnson, but "C'mon Man" The next milestone for me is the size and nature of the pending large Military Contract, if it's what I think it is it will change that chicken and egg dynamic he points out and yes we are all too familiar with our stay on the Devil's Treadmill, running like a mad man and getting nowhere. Yuval has floated it in the past that eMagin should sell out to a company with deep pockets to speed integration of AMOLED displays in larger markets, I am fairly sympathetic to that. I am also aware of the critical applications they supply.  I tried to make the point the other day that Oculus or Google Glass are unlikely ever to be a factor in a life or death situation, eMagin's displays are on a daily basis. There should be a market for those qualities, rugged, impervious to the elements, higher resolution, superior contrast then they should find their way to a widening market, that's just where we are now, waiting and watching. Waiting for the Camera, waiting for a HMD available to the consumer, waiting for a Media Viewer et al.
 If course he's right about the "Most Favored Nation" relationship with DOD. They will always get first dibs. The first Direct Patterning Displays will go to NAVAIR because they footed the bill for development, SOCOM's a partner, they get first dibs on all the "Future" Projects, PIXNET, FWS, ENVG, Army Telemedicine helped finance the WUXGA and so forth.
I think YB makes some good points here and points outs some hard truths, we hope but do not expect eMagin management to counter in print but expect them as longtime backers to counter in performance. PICO, maybe, someday, but Golden-I? Keyshawn?

 http://vrguy.blogspot.com/2013/10/thoughts-on-future-of-microdisplay.html
 

TrackingPoint - Future of War Trailer

IR Sensor Makers Fear Export Rules Will Strangle Their Business

I don't know if this situation is as dire as this writer describes as we are seeing cracks in the armor of ITAR and it's strictures. There is definitely a balance that can be achieved between guarding sensitive technology and getting it into the right hands.  In regards Thermal Weapons Sights there are already in place those who develop and manufacture these devices off shore. In the News Qioptig for example, Thales, Elbit among many others so the horse is out of the barn on these and renders his point largely moot in relation to TWS. iAware is now a stable export, to Italy and another through a recent sale. Javelin to India, Javelin to Britain, Javelin to Qatar etc. Prescription Chill Pill for Mr. Thompson

"Which brings me to the subject of focal plane arrays — uncooled ones, to be precise.  FPA’s are sensor/processor components as small as a nickel that detect the infrared energy emitted by objects and convert it into electrical charges suitable for forming an image.  Their best-known military uses are in thermal weapons sights and systems for enhancing driver vision, particularly at night.  Infrared energy is a form of light, but its frequency is lower than that of visible light, so humans can’t see it without the aid of FPA’s.  A few animals, such as vampire bats, apparently can."

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2013/09/27/ir-sensor-makers-fear-export-rules-will-strangle-their-business/

It sure looks like the TrackingPoint System

 is destined for the new SOCOM MSR. Schauble was VP at Remington Arms and a stint at SOCOM so this had to be the plan from the get-go. eMagin Display in Scope.

http://www.shotmade.com/futureofwar/

http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/Firearms/Sniper%20Rifles/MSR.aspx

Qioptiq was bought out by Excelitas

a US Based deliverer of Advanced Technological Solutions. No word if they will retain Qioptiq's Military Products. eMagin sold displays to Qioptiq for Dragon and Vipir TWS among other devices. Most of their Military Products went to Non-US NATO. They don't seem to make anything that requires a display so we'll see.

http://optics.org/news/4/10/1

This one promises to be lively; Sidoti in January

http://www.nbc4i.com/story/23589798/sidoti-to-host-another-lively-micro-cap-conference

Research and Markets: Global Head Mounted Display (Helmet Mounted Display & Wearable Glass) Market Report 2013-2019

about to explode... (just adding a little drama)

 In addition, the study includes competitive profiling of major players engaged in head mounted display manufacturing, their business strategies and recent developments. Some of the major players profiled in the report include eMagin Corporation (yes,someday), Sony Corporation (meh), Kopin Corporation (dream on), BAE Systems Plc (Yes eMagin OEM), Elbit Systems Ltd. (Yes, eMagin OEM), Vuzix Corporation, Sensics, Inc.(eMagin OEM), and Seiko Epson Corporation among others.


http://www.4-traders.com/news/Research-and-Markets-Global-Head-Mounted-Display-Helmet-Mounted-Display--Wearable-Glass-Market-R--17317478/

For a Small, Unknown Company

situated in a upscale Industrial Park in Columbia Maryland.
Sensics has some pretty impressive clients.
Gotta love a customer who tiles eMagin  in their  Industrial quality HMDs.


http://sensics.com/customers-partners/customers-2/

Is this the one?

eMagin Investors have an expectation that the Company someday will reveal (although with eMagin this is always an open question), the particulars of the large military contract discussed at the last Conference Call. If you put an M4 to my head and I had to identify the Program in Waiting, I would choose this one.

Speaking of VIRTSIM, Oculus Rift Inspired Training and Simulation Program Developed by Raytheon,

http://www.motionreality.com/law-enforcement

which seems to be a Hommage' to the Oculus Rift even though developed some years ago, is profiled in November SWAT Magazine in a Feature called "Super Simulator." The VIRTSIM Program trains Law Enforcement in small unit tactics, mission rehearsal and such just like the Military. The Silver things on those guys heads are aspirational type Oculus Rift devices but they are different, they are, in fact, eMagin Z800s. Oculus Rift wannabes sans Motion Sickness.

Remarks, Ashton Carter, United States Deputy Secretary of Defense

The Next Gen Javelin deal looks like a sure thing as Undersecretary Carter has positioned it as the centerpiece of new era US-India cooperation on Defense matters, strategy and hardware. Apparently they have a green light as resellers too when the new Javelin System is launched (pun intended). The Command Launch Unit's sight uses an eMagin Display. Next GEN will have to have WUXGA.
_____________________________

"And so, in the United States, with U.S. industry, and with my Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Frank Kendall, as the job I used to have and really superb at it, we identified and put forward to the Indians truly groundbreaking, entirely new collaborative proposal to co-develop with India a next-generation Javelin antitank capability. This is a new twist on a very old dog in U.S.-Indian relations. This proposal would address a key military requirement for both our armies and is an unprecedented offer that we've made unique to India, so we're pretty enthusiastic about it."

Some Furriners are on an Exelis Shopping Spree

First the big SINCGARS Sale to the unidentified nation and now an iAware sale to what I would assume is the same country as the mystery country unifies their Spearnet Network. It's not Italy, they were first to buy iAware, that only leaves about 10 or 11 possibilities. In time every NATO country will field these except France who perhaps jumped too quick on FELIN when that capability could have been spread throughout French Special Operations Command instead of the one Regiment. Tout Alors. The iAware System Monocle houses an eMagin microdisplay.

"Exelis offers the i-Aware Tactical or F6044 Series Tactical Mobility Night Vision Goggle (TM-NVG) with integrated color display import and camera capture export capabilities. The TM-NVG configuration delivers the same night vision capability as the F6015 in a lighter weight monocular with advanced technical features to improve soldier mobility."

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2013/09/30/Exelis-providing-night-vision-goggles-to-unidentified-customer/UPI-55611380566588/ 

Liteye's LZAD (eMagin Iside)

being utilized for Maritime Pointer. It augments the Sight to guide the shooter to the target, sort of a Remington 2020 writ small. Pretty handy in swells and bobbing seas I imagine.

http://www.janes.com/article/20477/uk-eyes-maritime-small-arms-pointer.

 The Admiralty must have been impressed on seeing it at DSEI.

Another example of the fact I only will put up Positive

Chip "Smart Trend" Brian eMagin
mentions. Because sure as shootin' he will have one tomorrow that says "eMagin Corporation is among the Companies in the Electronic Manufacturing Services Industry with Incredibly Low Self-Esteem."

http://www.mysmartrend.com/news-briefs/news-watch/maxwell-technologies-among-companies-electronic-manufacturing-services-indus-2

"Oculus Rift Style Military Training"

now every VR System in the World is in the words of "Oculus Rift's Virtual Army" "reminiscent" of Oculus Rift even if preceded in development by a number of years. There are pages and pages devoted to the possible military applications of the Oculus Rift and they seemed to have chosen the VR Training and Simulation as the most likely to embrace the Rift at the outset.  It's possible that it could be used for Flight Simulation once refined, in fact, right now it may duplicate the difficulty F-35 Pilots are having with disorientation because they are unable to adequately  verify through their senses what the System is showing them. Everything in terms of situational awareness is on the HMDS .  Disorienting.Frustrated, many of the Systems are killed during critical operations because the pilots simply do not trust the System. The reason DSTS or VIRTSIM or Quantum 3D or Intelligent Decisions is NOT fully enclosed is so the trainee can, when confronted with a chaotic situation, like the soldiers did in the Indiana National Guard Video below, see peripherally or they can look down and see their feet or their weapon or the ground. They feel secure in their person. Additionally when a fully immersive device like the Oculus Rift is removed there is a period of adaptation and confusion much like the effects of sensory deprivation you might experience after emerging from a stay in a deep cave. There is no military program that would benefit from a fully immersive, fully enclosed HMD, stop the Cultish Madness.

These VR Training Exercises Now Rate Operational Names

this is Bold Quest, a little grandiose for a National Guard Training Center but nevertheless, you can get the flavor of what happens during these exercises. The Dismounted Soldier Training System uses a ruggedized eMagin Z800 as Helmet Mounted Display.

Reality Overlays: Primer on HUD and HMD

Update: Pricing on Remington’s 2020 TrackingPoint Rifles

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/09/foghorn/update-pricing-remingtons-2020-trackingpoint-rifles/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The scope reportedly costs $3,000 just to build, there's an expensive little TV inside I hear.

Big Ad Dollars Expected to Be Spent on Wearable Tech

http://www.wearabletechworld.com/topics/wearable-tech/articles/354695-big-ad-dollars-expected-be-spent-wearable-tech.htm

and from the desk of Andrew Uerkewitz (sp?)

Piper Jaffray, one of the biggest Investment Banks in the U.S., recently projected that the market for wearable tech will hit $18 billion by the end of 2016. That is a massive jump from the $1 billion that was spent in 2012.
The firm even believes that wearable technology could surpass smartphones fairly quickly as the dominant gadget in the market. When and if that happens, ad dollars for wearable tech will skyrocket.

John R. Coleman, We Hardly Knew Ye

           Responsibilities:
- Improve yield  (that would be nice)
- ramp up volume  (that would be nice too)
- reduce downtime  ( no twiddling thumbs)
- plan for all possible contingencies (including Nuclear Armageddon)
- manage single-asset processes (sounds good)
- ramp up new manufacturing equipment  (teach SNUP Dog new tricks)
- deploy manufacturing mentality, methods and metrics including statistical process control (no idea)
- manage demand vs capacity (yes, more of each please)
- manage the supply chain from cost, redundancy, quality and availability standpoints (and do it right)
- planning for prevention rather then correction (an Apple one day would keep the Doctor away)


http://www.jobtarget.com/c/job.cfm?site_id=11977&jb=14830480 


My comments in Parentheses

BAE Helmet Mounted Displays

I don't know if they are talking about the Remote Viewer here or not. And it's probably too soon for Q-Warrior. Anyway BAE is looking for something to pitch for 2014. We wish them well. Little obscure, regardless we will be sure to tell Sneider at Kopin that it's WIRELESS.

"Going Wireless. BAE Systems is almost done delivering its Helmet-Mounted Display to the Army and is beginning to look at a second-generation product to pitch to the service next year. The company delivered almost 15,000 displays, which plug into the sights on heavy weapons and then clip onto soldiers’ helmets, allowing them to view thermal imaging or other displays without being hit by recoiling weapons, says Dave Smialek, BAE’s manager of business development for soldier and vehicle solutions. Once the company delivers the remaining 2,000 or so units, it will begin to focus on a second-generation product, which will feature a wireless connection between the helmet-mounted display and the weapons sights, as well as trying to reduce size, weight and power. Smialek says he expects the Army will put out a request for information in mid-2014, and BAE hopes to have its upgraded offering ready by then."

HMD Du Jour

http://www.realareal.com/airglass-futuristic-helmet-aerial-sports-augmented-reality-technology

Every soldier a sniper? Rifle may give the greenest shots deadly accuracy at ridiculous range

First of all I might have jumped the gun (pun) when I speculated that SOCOM had already designated the Remington Precision Sniper Rifle with the TrackingPoint Xact System to be the weapon included in the $80 Million contract recently announced. I did not account for the 4 million rounds of ammunition that was included. I'd like to say that with 5000 TP PGFs they could save $$$ on ammo and in this day and age when the Pentagon Brass walk around with their pockets turned out, well, that's not an insignificant expenditure. But, what's that I see at the crest of the hill?, why it looks like the cavalry is on it's way. Everybody who is anybody including Program Executive Officer wants to shoot this thing and they seem to be suitably impressed.
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130927/NEWS04/309090047/Every-soldier-sniper-Rifle-may-give-greenest-shots-deadly-accuracy-ridiculous-range

Cue the "Jaws" music, here comes

"Bruce The Shark." Recon Jet has Kopin LCDs in them but Intel can swim where they like. Very interesting. Waiting for a riposte from significant other.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/27/intel-capital-recon/

Liteye is really feeling it's Oats : Trumpeting their Liteye LE-750A on the Heels of America's Cup, using that yachting momentum.

First HMD in Space.

"only #space worthy #head_mounted_display to go to space aboard the international space station."

eMagin supplies the Displays for their HMDs Liteye having sold about 12,000 of them over the years.

http://www.liteye.com/product/displays-hmds/6-le-750a

Product Du Jour

Qioptiq Dragon, eMagin OLED

VR2000 Pro Dual HMD

Our Daily entrant into the HMD space. I'm assuming from the resolution XGA  (1024X768) and SVGA (800X600) that these are Olightek OLED.  It's a little disturbing that a US based company is buying Chinese Microdisplays but cost availability and the fact that VR Realities, well, you would not call it Best of Breed, It's a niche inside a niche inside a niche and the ergonomics, whatever.

http://www.vrealities.com/products/head-mounted-displays/vr2000-pro-dual

Skipper Of Luna Rossa

winner of America's Cup World Series used a Liteye 720 HMD (eMagin Inside) to captain the vessel and manage to dis Google Glass in the process. Last America's Cup another eMagin customer, Intevac, provided an HMD to the Winner. All the way to the left.

Remington 2020 rollout today available at

        

http://shoot2020.com/
Sportsman's Warehouse, Bass Pro, Cabelas and other top Outdoors Retailers. TrackingPoint is an eMagin customer, no reason to expect any other display in the more moderately priced model. Remington/TrackingPoint did a quick pivot away from TPs marketing of the scope stressing the remaining challenges in firing a bullet over distance. Windage is and will remain an issue as it's impossible to anticipate gusts and changes in wind speed once the bullet leaves the muzzle. They are selling it as an advance in accuracy not a guaranteed hit. Smart. It's a really nice website too that will cause gadgeteers and hunters to drool.

615 Technologies anti-IED with Tac-Eye and XBox controller

eMagin in the Monocular Display.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/gaming-helped-troops-take-on-ieds-2013-9

If we hold out our Begging Bowl

can we get a piece of this?

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1484933

Another Dive Mask HMD Swimming Our Way

to take on the Oculus Rift. There actually seems to be a startling resemblance but this one allows for positional tracking so nausea should be kept to a minimum, OR Legal Team brushing up on Austrian Patent Law.

 http://www.pddnet.com/news/2013/09/revolutionizing-gaming-virtual-realities