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06 Jan 2026
Agreement unites Magic Leap's waveguide expertise with Pegatron's volume manufacturing capabilities.
Augmented reality (AR) technology developer Magic Leap has signed an agreement with the Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer Pegatron, in a move that should see the latter ramp production of optical waveguides for new smart glasses.
Under the agreement, Pegatron will apply its high-volume manufacturing expertise to the optics innovation in Magic Leap’s waveguides, which are designed to deliver good visual performance in lightweight AR glasses designs, including high resolution and high brightness.
Jade Meskill, Magic Leap’s senior VP of product and partner development, said in a company release: “This agreement reflects a shared focus on meeting demand for advanced AR components.
“By combining our optical and systems expertise with Pegatron’s manufacturing depth, we’re creating a clear path to bring AR components to market at scale.”
Proprietary lithography
According to Austin, Texas, technology firm, its proprietary “jet and flash imprint lithography” (JFIL) approach unlocks single-step patterning with precise depth gradation to deliver scalable, high-yield manufacturing for waveguides.
“Unlike conventional lithography and multi-cycle 2D etching, JFIL creates complex 3D structures in one step, combining speed with precision,” Magic Leap claims. “With cross-disciplinary expertise spanning fabrication, materials, and process engineering, we streamline production without sacrificing optical precision.”
The firm has spent more than a decade developing the waveguide technology and other optical components purpose-built for AR wearables, with a focus on manufacturability and performance.
The idea is to integrate optical design, materials science, and process engineering to address the main challenges facing the AR industry: miniaturization, power efficiency, and visual quality, all seen as critical to any successful launch of future AR glasses.
“Beyond waveguides, Magic Leap’s component portfolio includes optics technologies and display systems expertise designed to work together as part of a complete AR system,” adds the company.
“This agreement with Pegatron creates opportunities to align these technologies with production processes that meet the reliability, yield, and volume requirements of commercial devices.”
Pegatron’s vice chairman Jason Cheng added: “By combining Magic Leap’s component-level expertise with Pegatron’s manufacturing infrastructure, we can support more efficient pathways from development to production.”
MicroLED development
News of the manufacturing collaboration comes a couple of months after Magic Leap extended a partnership with Google over the integration of microLED display technology.
“After fifteen years of research and development, Magic Leap is establishing itself as an AR ecosystem partner to support companies building glasses,” announced the company at the time.
“As a partner, the company applies its expertise in display systems, optics, and system integration to advance the next generation of AR.”
Google, which was a major early investor in Magic Leap more than a decade ago, acquired microLED light engine developer Raxium in 2022, in a deal reportedly valued at $1 billion, and with a view to reinvigorating its own efforts to commercialize AR glasses.
It is hoped that the combination of Magic Leap’s waveguides with the Raxium microLED light engine will make all-day, wearable AR more feasible.
So far the joint effort has resulted in a prototype shown at last year’s Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia, although a slew of Android-based AR and XR devices are anticipated to launch in 2026.
“The prototypes worn on stage illustrate how comfortable, stylish smart eyewear is possible and the video showed the potential for users to stay present in the real world while tapping into the knowledge and functionality of multimodal AI,” claimed the development partners, with Google XR chief Shahram Izadi adding:
“What makes this prototype stand out is how natural it feels to look through. Magic Leap’s precision in optics and waveguide design gives the display a level of clarity and stability that’s rare in AR today.
“That consistency is what makes it possible to seamlessly blend physical and digital vision, so users’ eyes stay relaxed and the experience feels comfortable.”
• Magic Leap will be among the exhibitors taking part in the SPIE AR/VR/MR Expo in San Francisco later this month. And on January 21st Mike Miller from the company is scheduled to give a presentation entitled “Reimagining Waveguides for Augmented Reality (AR) Glasses”.
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