Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:HIMX) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Page 5 of 5

The launch of our production ready WiseEye Modules exemplifies this business model. These modules incorporate Himax’s low-power CMOS image sensors, WiseEye1 or WiseEye2 AI processor, and versatile AI models from either in house or third party partners. Meticulously designed with tiny form factors, highly integrated and plug and play characteristics, the modules feature user programmable preloaded AI models to facilitate seamless system integration, lowering the entry barrier and cost for AI development. This initiative is particularly well suited for early-stage market engagement applications. Furthermore, we continue to collaborate with ecosystem partners to unveil a spectrum of plug and play AI modules that incorporate advanced no code/low code AI solutions.

By leveraging their strengths in specific domains and existing channels, these collaborative efforts ensure we can meet diverse development needs for both software and hardware. Notably, at CES 2024, our partnership with Seeed Studio on its battery-powered endpoint AI vision processing module Grove Vision AI Module V2 significantly underscores our dedication to making AI technology easily accessible. After years of dedicated efforts to enhance our AI capabilities in ultralow power AI processing and image sensing for endpoint AI applications, we believe that our WiseEye AI business will emerge as a multi-year structure growth driver for Himex. Lastly, I would like to provide an update on our optical product lines. Himax is a distinguished industry leader with a diverse range of optical and optoelectronics products crucial for building emerging metaverse applications.

We strive to innovate and advance various technologies in this arena, including Wafer Level Optics, 3D Sensing, Liquid Crystal on Silicon, among others, pushing the envelope in a variety of fields. Our technological expertise and extensive manufacturing experience are evident in our growing clientele for AR/VR goggles and ongoing engineering projects. Now, let’s review some recent progress we have made. First, on our advancement in LCoS, a technology where Himax boasts a decade long expertise and proven track record for shipments for AR goggles with global leading names. Our latest breakthrough Color Sequential Front-Lit LCoS Microdisplay offers unparalleled industry leading brightness of up to 180,000 nits, providing ultra luminance performance in vibrant RGB displays.

It also features superior optical power efficiency, a compact form factor, and ultra lightweight design, which make it the best choice for the next generation of see-through AR devices. Currently, we are actively involved in follow up engineering activities in collaboration with key tech players and anticipate significant opportunities in the coming years. Next, let’s discuss the recent introduction of nano-imprint optical film technology in automotive lighting by Himax’s subsidiary CMVT in collaboration with Ta Yih Industrial, a global leader in automotive lighting manufacturing. The state-of-the-art technology was implemented within a leading edge LED Edge-Lit Type automotive lighting, by leveraging our nano imprint optical film side-emitting LED light is reflected or refracted towards the illumination direction of the automotive lamps, ensuring uniformity, minimizing fixture size and enabling precise control of light compared to conventional direct-lit type automotive lighting.

This results in enhanced efficiency, reduced LED usage, and the ability to create versatile patterns at a significantly lower cost. This groundbreaking development unlocks not only extensive visual possibilities for automotive lighting, but also interior light decoration design, as well as related illumination applications. We will provide more updates as they come about. We believe our optical and opto-electronics technologies as poised to play an important enabling role in developing next generation metaverse applications. We are committed to advancing this technology suite, collaboratively expanding application possibilities with industry leaders who are deeply devoted to advancing their next generation metaverse related products. For non-driver IC business, we expect revenue to decline single-digits sequentially in the first quarter.

That concludes my report for this quarter. Thank you for your interest in Himax. We appreciate your joining today’s call and now ready to take questions.

Operator: [Operator Instructions] I’m showing no questions at this time. I would now like to turn it back to Jordan Wu for closing remarks.

Jordan Wu: As a final note, Eric Li, our Chief IR/PR officer, will maintain investor marketing activities and continue to attend investor conferences. We will announce the details as they come about. Thank you and have a nice day.

Operator: This concludes today’s conference call. Thank you for participating. You may now disconnect.

Follow Himax Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:HIMX)

Page 5 of 5