Royole is best known for its mediocre folding phones, but it could soon be setting your expectations for wearable technologies like smartwatches. The company introduced the first stretchable micro LED display that uses industrial manufacturing processes – that is, it can be mass-produced.
The 2.7-inch 96 × 60 demo panel might not look like much on its own, but it can take more abuse than other flexible screens. The display is stretchable as expected, but you can also rotate, pull, and deform it with concave and convex shapes. While the technology isn’t entirely “3D-free form” as Royole claims (convex bends can’t go beyond 40 degrees, for example), it can take a lot of punishment when done properly.
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The stretchable display would clearly be useful for wearables that could either handle more abuse or adapt to new shapes. However, the micro-LED design also lets more light through than flexible OLEDs – Royole envisions augmented and virtual reality glasses, smart car windshields, and other devices where you want a transparent view.
Royole didn’t say when the stretchable micro-LED might find its way into production technology.
We wouldn’t expect to use this anytime soon. Royole needs to scale the technology to different sizes and resolutions. More importantly, the company needs to find customers. Royole has to compete with Samsung and other large display manufacturers when it comes to flexible screens. The brand needs to convince device manufacturers that it is worth using a stretchable Royole display instead of “good enough” alternatives that can be produced in greater numbers and possibly at lower prices. If it does, however, there is a bright future for flexible screens from your clothes to your car.
