Smarter consumer electronics

Key technology players in the consumer electronics market are on a constant lookout to make their products more interactive, immersive and connected. Partnering with imec can give them the extra edge to make their products stand out even more.

At imec, our scientists are pushing the boundaries of human-technology interaction. And our engineers strive to make emerging technologies mature, ready to be included in your cutting-edge consumer products. Products that immerse the user in a smart, new experience.

We have a wealth of technologies that we’re constantly extending – integrated in visionary roadmaps. Thanks to flexible yet mature processes, imec can uniquely integrate these novel technologies into prototypes that other fabs would be hard-pressed to make.

What sets imec apart is that we are the only place with advanced 200mm and 300mm CMOS pilot lines that combine the process capabilities and quality of a foundry with the flexibility of a lab. In our facilities, we can produce small volumes of custom-made chips, reliably and on time.

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A fluent, intuitive interaction with all senses

Today’s applications mainly react to touch and voice. They may recognize body gestures, and some even adapt to the individual that they’re paired up with. But much more is on the cards.

Touch applications and technology can be made much more sensitive. Think of large tactile surfaces, applications that are completely touch-sensitive, or virtual mid-air objects that can be touched.

Finer gestures could be recognized over larger distances. Think of recognizing small finger movements, interpreting facial expressions, capturing full body movements, or recognizing individuals through their unique movement patterns.

Here are some of the many technologies that we’re offering to allow users a better multisensory experience:

• 140 GHz radar for fine gesture recognition
• thin-film infrared sensors to recognize gestures
• flexible smart tags that communicate with touch screens
• exploratory research on large-area ultrasound-activated (PMUT) surfaces for gesture recognition and haptic feedback

Want to turn science innovations into real-world impact?

Learn more about our semiconductor-driven deep-tech support

Building an immersive experience

Thanks to some amazing and disruptive technologies, audio and video applications have improved to a level that was long unimaginable. Still, more is to come: higher video and audio resolutions, augmented reality and virtual reality, directed laser audio, and eventually holography and virtual presence.

Here are some examples of what we’re working on (and which could be yours to co-develop):

• high-resolution OLED-patterning, for example for AR/VR glasses
• SDR to HDR (high dynamic range) conversion software to upgrade a world of legacy video
• nanoimprint optical elements for sensors and for near-eye and 3D displays

Boosting the connection bandwidth

For today’s and tomorrow’s immersive applications, for new audio and video formats, we need higher bandwidths at very low latencies. Imec is working on technologies that will eventually unlock terabits per second connections.

Here is what we’re currently developing for your consumer applications:

• low-power and high-capacity wireless connectivity for IoT applications
• low-power, compact hardware for artificial intelligence in consumer applications (tiny AI)
• low-power ultrahigh data rate (to 40 Gb/s) wireless connectivity for AR/VR applications
• beyond 5G technology
• time-sensitive networks
• GaN power devices for ultrafast charging of consumer devices

Go from R&D to development and manufacturing with IC-Link

Are you ready to accelerate your path from concept to production?

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Collaborate with imec to develop your next-generation consumer products

Designing new products and enabling new consumer experiences doesn’t depend on one expertise or technology. They require innovation in display technology, intelligence, form factor, energy use, connectivity ... all at once. Through its broad portfolio of cutting-edge technologies, imec has an in-depth expertise of what is required, what is available, and what is emerging.  

A collaboration with imec can take many forms, from custom development of a key component to a longer R&D trajectory, and from a single step in a product’s fabrication to a full-turnkey solution. Here are a few of the many possibilities:

• Agree with us on a bilateral collaboration to R&D your custom solution, or any part of it.
• Enlist our help for the development, prototyping and low-volume manufacturing of specific complex components.
• Get access to our IP blocks and tune them to your needs.

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