CES 2024: Leia’s Award-Winning 2D-to-3D Tablet Returns, Holds Largest Patent Portfolio in 3D Display Tech
January 17, 2024 – Every year, games get more elaborate, but 2D screens continue flattening the experience. At this year’s CES 2024 in Las Vegas, one company, Leia Inc., demonstrated a better way where 3D worlds “pop off” a true 3D display – without needing a heavy headset or glasses.
Founded in 2014 and the winner of four CES 2023 Innovation Awards, Leia continues to remain a leading provider of “glasses-free” 3D display hardware and content services for mobile devices and automotive. The company’s core technology hails from HP Labs after years of R&D.
On Tuesday, Leia announced Fabio Esposito as the company’s new CEO, whose experience in scaling tech companies and implementing global strategies, will be leveraged towards extended reality (XR) and AI. Esposito recently served as the CEO of Luxexcel, which is now part of Meta Platforms, leading the company’s turnaround and strategic pivot towards smart eyewear.
David Fattal, the company’s former CEO, will remain with the company overseeing Leia’s 2D-to-3D switchable display solutions, software development kit (SDK) and AI cloud services as he assumes the role of Chief Technology Officer.
This announcement also comes after Leia’s October acquisition of Dimenco B.V., the 3D Display patent portfolio of Royal Philips, which includes more than 500 patents. This, in combination with Leia’s existing patent portfolio, brings the total number of its held patents to over 1,500, making the company the largest and most significant 3D display and software portfolio in the industry, further strengthening its IP positioning in 3D display technology.
While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the acquired patents will accelerate adoption of Leia’s Simulated Reality technology (SRTM), which is currently being integrated into mobile, tablet, laptop, and desktop displays. According to the company, it has also started to actively license its technology to display manufacturers and OEMs such as ZTE, Acer, and Asus, who are looking to offer full 3D solutions to its customers.
The Lume Pad 2’s Debut at SXSW 2023
We spoke with Leia and Fattal last year during SXSW 2023 in Austin, Texas, having the opportunity to review the company’s newest flagship 2D-3D tablet, the Lume Pad 2, ahead of its public release. Having personally and actively used the Lume Pad 2 for the past year, there’s no question as to why this was by far one of the best 3D AI innovations that came out of 2023 – even with its price tag of $1,099.
Over the past few years, companies have touted product after product – all claiming to have made the 3D experience more “accessible” and “easy to experience.” Yet, the overall experience that most consumers have faced – the eyestrain, headaches, and dizziness – haven’t changed.
Until the Lume Pad 2 came around. The “glasses-free” device allows wearers to experience realistic 3D technology without many of these concerns, separating the CES award-winning company from most of the products available in the market.
During CES 2024, Leia showcased a 3D racing simulation on the SR Pro 2, a cutting-edge 8K 3D panel that upgrades the overall gaming experience, strapping players into the racing seat and watching the magic of its latest hardware – LeiaSR™. While driving, players were able to feel the corners and sense the car spinning on-track with the stunning 3D visuals.
From high-octane first-person shooters to strategic simulations, CES attendees were able to witness the seamless integration of 3D into some of their favorite games, showcasing how LeiaSR can be integrated into laptops and tablets to help elevate the visual and immersive impact of gaming.
Ultimately, 3D isn’t a new technology, but the way Leia does it is.
