What it is
A display that reflects ambient light instead of emitting its own, related in principle to e-paper.
How it works
Pixels modulate reflected light, so brighter environments make the display easier to read rather than harder.
Why it matters
For sports and glanceable data, multi-day battery life matters far more than colour or resolution.
Advantages
- Excellent sunlight readability
- Extremely low power
- Simple optics
Current limitations
- Monochrome
- Low refresh rate
- Poor in darkness without illumination
Commercial readiness
Shipping in sports eyewear.
Development timeline
2021
Reflective microdisplay eyewear reaches endurance sports market