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1 | Company Name | Website | Technical Differentiation | Timing | Automotive Relationships | Sources | |||||||||||||||||||||
2 | example | www.example.com | Please provide an in depth overview of the company's technical differentiation including the industry's view of these companies' technical performance and as much detail on specific differentiating factors (i.e. what technology do they offer and how is it unique). For example, what do they bring to the flexible touch interlayer market that makes them better than the other companies in this space (e.g. cost position, better reflectivity, haze, etc.). Please include how it the tech is perceived by the industry. Please include quotes on this topic from company representatives as well as industry experts as available. | Please provide an in depth overview of where the company is in terms of product development (research, in development, commercialized) and in scaled manufacturing. Please include quotes on this topic from company representatives as well as industry experts as available. | Please provide an in depth overview of the company's automotive experience or relationships (in other words, the evidence that these companies are playing in the automotive space, deals with automotive OEMs, statements by the company that they are focused in automotive etc.). Please provide as much breadth in terms of automotive relationships as possible. Please include quotes on this topic from company representatives as well as industry experts as available. | [1] www.url.com [2] www.url.com | |||||||||||||||||||||
3 | Toppan | http://www.toppan-usa.com | Toppan’s microfabricated electrode array glass and film, used in its copper sensor display technology, is among its differentiating factors. The technology offers improved operability, larger sizes, and lower weight through the use of copper electrode materials. It touts low impedance, high visibility, and higher contrast as its key benefits. [1] Toppan states that they have developed the finest copper mesh, at 3μm diameter (μm: 1/1000 millimeter). The finer the mesh, the better the display panel visibility. [2] The use of copper as the electrode allows for a narrower bezel of about 3.4 mm, allowing for single routing and fewer wires. Its specifications state: • Resistance value: "State of mesh pattern 5Ω" • Transmission rate: "State of touch panel 88%" • Haze value: "State of touch panel 1.5%" • Maximum size: about 60 inch (Maximum width of 800mm) | Toppan developed their 3D copper touch panel in 2015, but there are very few news references about the product since that year. A November 2017 Reuters article states that the company is planning to move its copper touch panel sensor business to a new wholly-owned business unit in Shiga Ken. [5] I found no press releases or news pieces at the company website regarding this shift. However, in a company timeline of milestones, the development of the 3D copper touch panel module is the earliest electronics division development to make the list. [7] | Toppan USA does not appear to work in the automotive sector and neither their website nor outside sources indicates they have developed flexible touch interlayers for any applications. However, in 2015, Toppan Japan introduced “a capacitive 3D copper touch panel module for automotive displays” [3] with sample shipments scheduled for July of that year. Toppan uses a its copper mesh wiring technology to support high-sensitivity multi-touch in automotive displays, enabling swipe, punch-in, and punch-out operations. In conjunction with Wonder Future Corporation, the copper touch film molds to 3D curved surfaces. [3] Its modular nature makes its use in a variety of applications possible, such as use in consoles. [4] Toppan’s display technology falls in its electronics division, which makes up about 10% of the company’s business. [8] While the company’s goal for their 3D copper touch panel was that it would generate 3 billion yen in revenue by fiscal 2017, their annual report does not indicate if they reached that goal. [4] | [1] https://www.toppan.co.jp/electronics/english/display/touch/ [2] http://www.toppan.co.jp/electronics/profile/library/pdf/TOPPAN_Electronics_ENG.pdf?ver=201801 [3] http://www.toppan.co.jp/en/news/2015/04/newsrelease20150406.html [4] http://www.printedelectronicsnow.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2015-04-23/toppan-printing-develops-3d-copper-touch-panel-module-for-automotive-displays/46390 [5] https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/7911.T/key-developments/article/3706458 [6] http://www.toppan.co.jp/electronics/english/display/ultra_narrow/ [7] http://v4.eir-parts.net/v4Contents/View.aspx?template=ir_material_for_fiscal_ym&sid=27539&code=7911 [8] http://v4.eir-parts.net/DocumentTemp/20180222_054646948_qb0gz3yulqp33iapahmj4l45_0.pdf | |||||||||||||||||||||
4 | TDK | http://www.global.tdk.com/corp/en/index.htm | Industry views on TDK focus heavily on the positive role that the company has had on the environment. Adrian Henriques, an Independent Advisor on Sustainability, mentions that, "From an environmental perspective, TDK focuses on 'carbon neutrality' by balancing its production emissions against in-use product savings…an important measure to disclose as it should tend to drive energy-efficiency innovation in TDK's product line" [6]. Toshihiko Fujii, a Consulting Fellow for the Research Institute of Economy, also says that TDK has had a, "Positive social impact in the numerous technologies possessed, hand in hand with the fusion that they generate" [7]. In terms of competitive technologies, TDK has recently developed a transparent conductive film layered with silver (Ag) alloy energy conservation and production [1]. This film is acts as an alternative to ITO films, which are the most widely-utilized conductive films [1]. These Ag-stacked films maintain 90% light transmittance, have a 0.5% haze value, a surface resistance of 9 Ω/sq, and can be bent close to 10,000 times. ITO films, in comparison, have 82% transmittance, a surface resistance of 31 Ω/sq, and can only bend up to 240 times [1]. On January 9, 2018, TDK also announced their formation of the InvenSense ICP-10100, the industry's lowest pressure noise (0.4 Pa RMS) and barometric pressure sensor, which uses less power than any other similar product in the industry (1.3 µA) [5]. This product measures extremely small differences in pressure (±1 Pa with altitude changes less than 5 cm) while maintaining a stable temperature, and is mentioned to be useful for indoor/outdoor navigation [5]. | TDK acquired InvenSense $1,300,000,000 in May 2017 [8], but does not have any other current funding or investments. TDK is currently manufacturing and selling products in the following areas: * Ceramic Capacitors [9] * Inductive Devices [9] * High Frequency Components/Modules [9] * Piezoelectric Material Products [9] * Aluminum Electrolytic/Film Capacitors [9] * Sensors [9] * Circuit Protection Devices [9] * Magnetic Application Products [9] * Film Application Products [9] * Flash Memory Applied Devices [9] * Radio Wave Anechoic Products [9] * Mechatronics (Production Equipment) [9] * Advanced Materials Technology [9] In the midst of producing products in these categories, TDK still works to improve upon products of all types, but is especially focusing their efforts on the following categories: * Sensor Application Products [8] * Sustainable Technologies [9] * Automotive Technologies [8] * Passive Components Technologies [8] * Magnetic Application Products [8] * Film Application Products [8] According to the 2017 Annual Report for TDK, “Continuous innovation in its existing products, a process repeated throughout TDK’s more than 80-year history, along with nonlinear innovation via strategic withdrawal from non-core businesses and optimization of its business portfolio, will continue to be the driving forces behind the Company’s ongoing growth” [8]. | TDK is currently working to extend their reach in the automotive industry [8]. In 2015, 17% of total sales came from automotive technology, and TDK is now on track to have 30% of their sales come from automotive technology by the end of 2018 [8]. They currently have automotive technology for the following areas: * EPCOS Brand Powertrain [2] * EPCSO Brand e-Mobility [2] * Automotive HV/xEV (safety, accuracy, comfort) [2] * EPCOS Brand Convenience [2] * EPCOS Brand Safety [2] * Car Infotainment [2] EPCOS is the manufacturer of all electrical components for TDK, and they also produce Neodymium Magnets for automotive technology produced by TDK [2]. Neodymium magnets work to reduce the energy requirements/consumption of xEV motors, and because of their small size and weight, they also allow for greater efficiency and fuel economy [9]. According to Masahide Ohnishi, Head of Development at the Energy Devices Development Center in Technology HQ for TDK, “The main focus of our current work is how to charge a stationary vehicle. The basic technology is already in place, and we are now at the state where improvements in safety and versatility are being targeted” [9]. Other, more specific automotive products that TDK is currently working on and manufacturing include: * Non-optical sensors [8] * Wireless power transfer systems [8] * Capacitors and Indictors [8] * On-board Automotive Chargers (PHEV/BEV) [9] * Automotive DC-DC Convertor for xEVs - voltage converter [9] * Magnetic TMR Sensors - position data [9] * Noise countermeasure components [9] * 3-terminal feed-through filters - safety of automotive LANs [9] * Electronic Control Units (ECUs) [9] * LTCC Antennas [9] * 3D Transponder Coils - convenient/reliable keyless entry [9] According to Ohnishi, TDK is, “Also looking toward the future, setting sights on the charging of a moving vehicle. This eventually will lead to a solution that fundamentally overcomes the main drawbacks of electric vehicles, such as the time required for charging and the limited running distance” [9]. | [1] https://product.tdk.com/info/en/techlibrary/developing/agstack/index.html [2] https://en.tdk.eu/tdk-en/178082/products/application-guides/automotive---epcos-brand [3] https://product.tdk.com/info/en/products/magnet/technote/ap_automotive.html [4] LINK TO THIS SPREADSHEET [5] https://www.invensense.com/news-media/industrys-lowest-noise-and-lowest-power-barometric-pressure-sensor/ [6] http://www.global.tdk.com/csr/recognition/csr07400.htm [7] http://www.global.tdk.com/csr/recognition/csr07100.htm [8] http://www.global.tdk.com/ir/ir_library/annual/pdf/2017_all.pdf [9] http://www.global.tdk.com/news_center/publications/tdk_company_profile/pdf/company_profile_2017_e_00.pdf | |||||||||||||||||||||
5 | Canatu | https://canatu.com | Experts like Martin Anderson state Canatu has the leading claim on the most advanced touch sensors and curve films.[5] This could be partially attributed to their CEO, Juha Kokkonen, who is vocal about how "no other transparent, conductive material can currently be 3D-formed and molded with 200 percent stretch and a one mm radius."[10] In any case, Canatu has created a film with low haze (<0.3%), high transmittance (90-98%), low resistivity (60-300 ops) and non-visible sensor patterns. [3] These are the most advanced claims in the industry, but the company is still in the research phase so to-market products and mass production information is still unavailable. Its touch sensors can be curved/bent and be molded using heat (thermoformable). All of this while providing true black, true white, and excellent contrast in its touch displays.[2] In addition, it has non-visible patterns in its sensors and low resistivity, 60-300 ops. [3] Canada's vision when it comes to automotive integration is not to have a seamless design, but rather to increase driving safety. [1] Using intuitive finger guides means that drivers can retain maximum focus on the road. | Canatu is still in the development phase of its products. There is no available information on when they will commercialize their products, though there are significant signs that they may be ready soon. First, Canatu enjoys a large number of funders that have contributed $54,900,000 towards its product development. They have also partnered with technology leaders in development for touch controllers (Microchip, Synaptics, Sis), sensors and modules (CN innovation, Hosiden, Young Fast), displays (Display Solution), and materials (3M and Du Pont). [4, 6] Further, they have also partnered with general science partners like Litten and VTT. | So far, Canatu has cultivated relatively few direct relationships with automotive OEMs, most likely because the company does not have an end product yet. Their most substantial partnership is with Denso which has provided funding in December 2017, in exchange for equity worth $7,500,000.[7] This investment represents Denso's desire to, in the words of their executive director Hirotsugu Takeuchi, "be in the forefront of the development in future mobility." Ascend Capital Partners has also invested $5,000,000 in the company.[7] Jorg Buchholz, a partner at Ascend, said of the partnership: "Ascend's strong connections in the automotive industry in Europe and China will help Canatu develop partnerships to expand globally." Both companies have representatives on the Canatu Board of Directors. | [1] http://wndr.is/mJ7VZnT-r [2] http://wndr.is/QkofXnTZB [3] http://wndr.is/mkQR7h6Zr [4] http://wndr.is/m1giI3p-S [5] http://wndr.is/XyAgY3pWB [6] http://wndr.is/QkCPjh6Wr [7] http://wndr.is/7JSL0hpWB [8] http://wndr.is/QkIhepa-S [9] http://wndr.is/myFdbTTbr [10] http://wndr.is/mkAp76pWB [11] http://wndr.is/X1LtH6a-r | |||||||||||||||||||||
6 | Royole | http://www.royole.com | Royole boasts that their company has the thinnest Active-Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode display (0.01mm), which is light, bendable, shatterproof, and energy efficient. [1]. The thinness of the product allows for the bending radius to be as small as 1 millimeter. Royole also claims that their company is responsible for the most advanced flexible displays and sensors. [2] Royole has numerous intellectual property rights along with "key technical know-hows covering all aspects of display manufacturing including materials, processing, devices, circuits, electronic systems and module development." [1] Their display is able to show high quality videos "in the bending status of 50K~100K of bending cycles." [1] Their car dashboard prototype was shown at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, and again at the 2017 show. [5,6] Their dashboard is unique in that it is curved, smooth, and free of buttons. | Royole was founded in 2012 and completed their pre-D funding with a valuation of $3,000,000,000 making them one to the fastest growing startups. [4] Since 2012, Royole has received numerous investments from venture capitalists and private equity firms. [4] From 2012 through 2016, Royole raised a total of $800,000,000 in series D funding. [4] Dr. Bill Liu, one of the founders and the CEO of the company, said "Royole's mission is to create novel technologies and products to improve the way people interact with the world. In the past five years, we have been focusing on innovation, development, and production of super-thin flexible displays, transparent flexible sensors, and 3D mobile theater devices...The funding from our impressive Series D partners will help our company to invest more in R&D, production, and sales to accelerate every aspect of the company's growth." [4]. Royole begun mass production of their flexible sensors and display modules in 2015. [10] | There is no evidence that Royole has any automotive relationships. Most of Royale's investors are venture capitalists and private equity firms, and they have no public investors from the technology or automotive markets. [4] However, they do have an automotive dashboard. It was released in 2016 and was the world's first curved car dashboard. [10] Their display was in the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show and was well received. The trend report from the Consumer Electronics Show predicts that displays like Royole's will become commonplace. [6] | [1] http://www.royole.com/flexible-display [2] http://www.royole.com/display-solution [3] http://www.royole.com/investors [4] http://www.royole.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=280 [5] http://www.royole.com/Royole%20Flexible%20Sensor%20Product%20Introduction [6] http://www.pdt.com/2017-ces-trend-report.html [10] http://www.royole.com/introduction Note: Sources 7-9 not listed as they were not pertinent to the request. | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | C3 Nano | https://c3nano.com | C3 Nano's key differentiating factor is its "Nanoglue™ technology, which acts to fuse the conductive silver nanowires (AgNW) based technology into a conductive network or grid." The technology lowers sheet resistance to "30 ohms per square or less while maintaining excellent optical transparency and low haze." [1] Its other features include: "-Transparent conductive films with high conductivity, superb light transmission and color properties -Highly stable, optically clear PET base films -Topaz™: b* control technology – further reduction in b* of up to 0.5 available -The product can be provided in wide roll widths, various film thicknesses or with protective films and hard coats. -Other substrate materials such as PC, COP, PEN, COC, and glass are available upon request." [2] The other key differentiating factor is its ActiveGrid Ink. The features that distinguish the ink include: "-Activegrid achieves high transmission, low haze, and low b* over a wide range of sheet resistances, 10 – 350 Ω -Low-cost alternative to ITO, for applications like touch panel, OLED displays, OLED lighting, EMI shielding, E-paper, LCD and solar cells -Activegrid ink is suitable for any standard industrial coating process -Coating is performed in ambient conditions and is perfect for temperature-sensitive substrates like PET, PC, and COP -Activegrid ink is highly durable, stable at high temperature and high humidity, and resistant to chemical corrosion -The coated film is highly flexible and ductile, making it applicable to flexible products." [3] ActiveGuardHC Film is another key product from C3 Nano that has excellent technical quality. ActiveGuardHC Film has 3H hardness at 5 μm thickness and a flexibility down to 2 mm bend radius. [4] Its other features include: "-Thin coating (5-15 μm) with good scratch resistance, hardness, and flexibility -Designed as the hardest coating available on a flexible film, rated up to 6H -ActiveguardHC coating is flexible to a bend radius of 2.5 mm, while retaining its ultra-hard properties -Minimal impact on optical properties -Provides protection for polymer cover lens, enabling lighter, flexible and formable devices when used in place of glass -A wide variety of applications including automotive, smartphones, tablets, notebooks and wearables." [4] The United States Patent and Trademark Office granted patents to C3 Nano covering the use of the C3Nano’s proprietary NanoGlue™ and its transparent conductive ActiveGrid™ ink and films in 2015. [5] According to Dr. Ajay Virkar, CTO and co-founder of C3Nano, “The issuance of these fundamental patents distinguishes our unique technology and reinforces C3nano’s commercial efforts in the $1.2 billion transparent conductive film market.” [5[ Kevin Yin, an industry expert with GSR Ventures, said that: "C3Nano has demonstrated clear business foresight in driving industry-leading technology, and has built one of the world's most advanced materials R&D and engineering organizations. They continue to innovate, setting the very best market performance standard through each product delivered." [6] | C3 Nano was founded in 2010 and won the C3Nano Grand Prize at MIT Clean Energy Prize. In 2011, the company completed its $3.2M in Series A funding. In 2013, it raised $6.7M in series B funding. [7] In 2014, it raised "$12M in series C funding from Nagase America Corporation, GSR Ventures and Phoenix Ventures Partners (PVP) and private investment group Hongguo International Holdings Limited." The over $20 million dollar funding enabled it to achieve ‘best in class’ ink formulations and expanded production capabilities. [7] In 2015, "Nissha and C3Nano Succeed in Joint Development of Next Generation Silver Nanowire Transparent Inks, Powered by C3Nano’s Activegrid for Smarter, Flexible Touch-Sensor Displays." The company also acquired Aiden Co. Ltd., Asia’s Largest Manufacturer of Silver Nanowire. [7] In addition, C3 Nano gained patents for C3Nano’s proprietary NanoGlue™ and its transparent conductive ActiveGrid™ ink and films. [6] In 2017, the company closed its $15 million equity financing, bringing its total funding since inception to $37 million. According to its CEO and official press statement, the financing will help "them build manufacturing operations in China and increase its capacity in South Korea to support its sales growth. The manufacturing scale up will strengthen C3Nano’s presence in Asia and provide expanded technical and business support to its global customer base. The financing will also fund new technology development and innovation at its headquarters in Hayward, CA." [7] | There is no publicly available evidence that C3 Nano is actively playing in the automotive space currently. However, the company states that ActiveguardHR Film has a 'wide variety of applications including automotive, smart phones, tablets, notebooks and wearables' [4] but nothing specific has been cited anywhere about how it's being used or how it could be used for automotive purposes. There is also an article on the company's website on the application of such displays in cars, but the company didn't state in the article that it's actively involved in the space. [8] It might als interest you to know that Nagase America Corporation, one of the company that participated in C3 Nano's series C funding round, actively operates in the automotive space. [7] [9] Nisha is another company that has participated in its funding that is actively involved in the automotive interior space. [7] [10] | [1] https://c3nano.com/technology/nanoglue/ [2] https://c3nano.com/products/active-grid-film/ [3] https://c3nano.com/products/active-guard-ink/ [4] https://c3nano.com/products/active-guard-hc/ [5] https://c3nano.com/two-technology-patents-issued-to-c3nano-inc/ [6] https://www.printedelectronicsworld.com/articles/10851/c3nano-closes-15-million-series-d-equity-financing [7] https://c3nano.com/about/milestones/ [8] https://c3nano.com/displays-for-driving-curves-and-hud-ahead/ [9] http://nagaseamerica.com/ [10] http://www.nissha.com/english/news/2017/09/29mh_1.html | |||||||||||||||||||||
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