MVIS

What is MicroVision and what do they do?

It's not about microscopes. No, it's about lasers.

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, MicroVision, Inc. is a laser beam scanning (LBS) pioneer.

MicroVision’s current priority is the development of automotive lidar sensors and solutions used in automotive safety and autonomous driving applications. 

Lidar stands for “light detection and ranging”, i.e. radar but using light instead of radio waves. Lidar technology works by targeting objects and measuring the time it takes for light to return.

In the past, MicroVision has created microdisplay engines for head-mounted augmented reality (AR) headsets, interactive display modules used in smart speakers, and consumer lidar components used in smart home systems. The company also created PicoP scanning technology which allows the projection of a full colour, high-contrast, uniform image over an entire field of view.

How does MicroVision make money?

Throughout MicroVision’s history, the company has earned revenue from component sales, development contracts and royalty fees from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs).

MicroVision currently generates royalty income from a single customer, Microsoft. But “the volume of sales and resulting royalties from that arrangement are not significant.”

“Unable to secure additional customers to launch one of our products,” the company is not manufacturing or selling any products at this time. 

Instead, Microvision has turned its focus to further research and development of LBS technology for the automotive industry – and in particular, advanced driver-assisted system (ADAS) solutions. The company is aiming to reveal the results of its research during the first half of 2022.

Is MicroVision profitable?

No, MicroVision is not profitable.

MicroVision’s net income has been negative for the past ten years with its biggest income drop in FY2021 at negative US$44m. In FY2021 the company accumulated a deficit of US$629.4m. 

In its latest annual report, MicroVision stated, “We have had substantial losses since our inception. We cannot assure you that we will ever become or remain profitable…although we are forecasting small quantities of sales in 2022, we do not expect to achieve significant, sustained revenue from our ADAS solution in the near term.”

Is MVIS stock a buy?

Overall sentiment is negative. Many investors see MVIS stock as a high-risk play as it is mostly focused on research and development at this time. 

Competition within the field of automotive safety has also become increasingly fierce with companies like Maradin, Syndiant and Velodyne Lidar (VLDR) nipping at MicroVision’s heels.

Does MVIS have a short interest?

Yes. As of 14 March 2022, the stock’s short interest sits at a substantial 23.35% of the company’s total stock, down 1.62% from the previous month.