Tech Convergence Will Spur Demand for New ADAS Technology

More notes from Rutkowski interview 6/15

Mr. Rutkowski's Background



Mr. Rutkowski has been CEO of Microvision since 1994. Prior to that executive VP of MediaLink Technologies, developer of proprietary protocol for high-speed networks. Been in tech for upwards of 15 years. Before that was in investment banking and consulting to small and medium sized businesses. Over the years has grown to love the notion of entrepreneurship and creating things. Theme shared by Microvision and Lumera is electro-optics and photonics technology. Believes next major business franchises lie in this area.



Rick studied liberal arts in college - U of Chicago. Rick studied cultural anthropology, philosophy of language, comparative literature. Marketing is an effort to create a frame of reference around something that means value to people.



Platform Technology



Microvision builds on notion that electro-optics is next major domain. MVIS has platform technology -- microscanner on a silicon chip. Beam of light scanned at high frequency to enable realtime hi-res video image display and video image capture. Enables displays and cameras through the same platform.



Markets are vast, timing is excellent. Next phase of information technology is all about mobility and ubiquitous computing and going way beyond what we've done with laptops. Technology that goes where we go. Devices that need to be smaller and cheaper and more portable. Information is trying to follow the path of human activity and get to places it couldn't go before. Compete with miniature LCD manufacturers. MVIS beats them because of lower cost, better performance, smaller package size. Embedded into same kinds of configurations.



Single core technology can generate multiple revenue streams that are going to compound as MVIS moves forward. Double growth effect moving forward.







Microvision Information



MVIS has been around since 93, IPO in 96. Employs 156 -- half technical. Lumera created in 99-2000. Located in Bothell, WA. Facility predominately design development. Nomad display is being built in-house, subleased to contract manufacturer. MVIS has dominant IP portfolio in the world with regards to microscanning technology. Important as the IP will be applied to multiple markets. Microscanner is a simple chip with a single mirror on it. Analogous to a cathode ray tube. Scan beam so fast that hi-res image can be displayed. Modulating the light to create pixel information. To arrange in a rectangular image plane, scan row after row of pixels. Horizontal and vertical scanning with two sets of flexors - 'torsion system'.



Microminiature projection system - embed into digital camcorders, mobile phones, military helmets, baseball hats. Better than LCDs because economics of building LCDs allows MVIS to create higher performance, lower cost than LCD solutions.



Want to be best in the world at microscanning. Realize revenue through delivery of finished goods products - Nomad and Flic. Digital cameras, cars, mobile phones, MVIS will supply display engines embedded by dominant manufacturers. Information Tech is moving this direction. Partner with dominant players in a variety of different product categories.



MVIS laser scanning camera samples the image a pixel at a time -- combines small aperture, fast sample rate (shutter speed) with bright power efficient light source. Forgiving depth of focus, immune to motion blur.



MVIS gets rid of vacuum, phosphors, high voltage, no electro-magnetic steering mechanism of cathode ray tubes. CRTs have few moving parts. So do scanned beam displays.



Partner with dominant players, provide contracts -- gets customers invested in MVIS tech, gets MVIS well informed about markets and partners' go-to-market strategies.



Investment thesis: platform technology. MVIS stays focused on scanning. Compounding revenue model based on different product opportunities. Acclerating growth out 1 or 2 more years from here. In 4-6 year time frame Nomad Expert Technician System could be $200M business.



Flic barcode scanner goes to base of emerging market. Small businesses want to use barcode scanning. MVIS sees opportunity to provide low cost scanner. NCR private labeling Flic for retail point of sale market. Flic to establish foothold, grow in $1B market. 2D barcode scanner provides breakthrough capabilities. Flic first scanner with no electomechanical engine. Thumb power causes actuation of scanner. Electrical power only to drive beam and run microprocessor. 20,000 scans from 3 AAA batteries.



Flic runs in batch, tethered or Bluetooth modes. Started to get traction this year, revenue $675 in 1Q. Analysts are looking for $2.5-3M in 2004. Hope to see product annualize at $5M per year. Modest resource complement. Guerilla marketing. Foothold in market -- then drive growth to bigger number in 2005 and beyond.

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