Taiwan-based LED panel makers AU Optronics held an annual press event displaying their new-for-2020 products and applications, including mini- and micro-LED displays.
AUO noted that orders for medical and educational applications such as electronic whiteboards and digital X-ray panels have increased with rising needs in home education and medical treatment due to coronavirus outbreak.
The company say their production operations are not affected by the epidemic; 95% of their production capacity in China has resumed for now, so they will not change their outlook for 1Q20. But, they say, impacts of the global pandemic might expand in the second quarter.
AUO consider the pandemic a turning point for the panel industry as the severe price competition might slow down, since the Chinese government might stop its vast subsidies to China’s panel makers.
The coronavirus may also bring up new demands in TVs and entertaining products as people are, perforce, spending more time at home.
AUO also are pushing their developments in microLED automotive displays, and have been in talks with automakers; the displays could enter validation processes this year and be adopted by 2022.