XML 61 R7.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
The Company and liquidity - Note 1
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Notes to Financial Statements  
The Company and liquidty - Note 1

1. The Company

 

MicroVision, Inc. (the "Company") is developing its proprietary PicoP® display technology, which can be used by our customers to create high-resolution miniature laser display and imaging engines. Our PicoP display technology utilizes our widely patented expertise in two dimensional Micro-Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS), lasers, optics and electronics to create a high quality video or still image from a small form factor device with lower power needs than conventional display technologies. Our strategy is to develop and supply PicoP display technology directly or through licensing arrangements to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in market segments including consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial for integration into their products.

 

During 2012, we aligned our operations to our ingredient brand strategy, simplifying our operations and resulting in an expected significant reduction to our future cash requirements. Our strategy is to focus our efforts on licensing our technology to partners who will produce display engines based on PicoP display technology and incorporate the engine into their products. Our development efforts are focused on supporting our customers in their manufacturing and integration and optimizing PicoP display technology for specific applications.

 

The primary objective for consumer applications is to provide users of mobile consumer devices such as smartphones, media players, tablet PCs and other consumer electronics products with a large screen viewing experience produced by a small projector either embedded in the device or via an attached accessory. These potential products would allow users to watch movies and videos, play video games, and display images and other data onto a variety of surfaces, freeing users from the limitations of a small, palm-sized screen. PicoP display technology could be further modified to be embedded into a pair of glasses to provide the mobile user with a see-through or occluded personal display to view movies, play games or access other content.

 

PicoP display technology is currently sold by Pioneer Corporation as part of an aftermarket high-resolution head-up display (HUD) that projects point-by-point navigation, critical operational, safety and other information important to the vehicle operator. With some modification PicoP display technology could also be embedded into a vehicle or integrated into a portable standalone HUD.

 

PicoP enabled devices can be used in field-based professions such as service repair or sales to view and share information such as schematics for equipment repair, sales data, orders or contact information within a CRM application on a larger, more user-friendly display. We also see potential for embedding PicoP display technology in industrial products where our displays could be used for 3D measuring and digital signage, enhancing the overall user experience of these applications. We continue to enter into a limited number of development agreements with commercial and U.S. government customers to develop advanced prototypes and demonstration units based on our light scanning technologies.

 

We develop and procure intellectual property rights relating to our technology as a key aspect of our business strategy. We generate intellectual property from our internal research and development activities and our ongoing performance on development contracts. We also have acquired exclusive rights to various technologies under licensing and acquisition agreements.

 

Based on our current operating plan, we anticipate that we have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund our operations through the second quarter of 2013. We will require additional cash to fund our operating plan past that time. We are introducing new technology into an emerging market which creates significant uncertainty about our ability to accurately project revenue, costs and cash flows. If the level of sales anticipated by our financial plan is not achieved or our working capital requirements are higher than planned, we will need to raise additional cash sooner or take actions to reduce operating expenses.

 

We plan to obtain additional cash through the issuance of equity or debt securities. There can be no assurance that additional cash will be available or that, if available, it will be available on terms acceptable to us on a timely basis. If adequate funds are not available on a timely basis, we intend to consider limiting our operations substantially to extend our funds as we pursue other financing opportunities and business relationships. This limitation of operations could include reducing our planned investment in working capital to fund revenue growth and delaying development projects and reductions in staff, operating costs, including research and development, and capital expenditures.

 

Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, the rate at which we can, directly or through arrangements with OEMs, introduce products incorporating the PicoP display engine and image capture technologies and the market acceptance and competitive position of such products. If revenues are less than anticipated, if the mix of revenues vary from anticipated amounts or if expenses exceed the amounts budgeted, we may require additional capital earlier than expected to further the development of our technologies, for expenses associated with product development, and to respond to competitive pressures or to meet unanticipated development difficulties. In addition, our operating plan provides for the development of strategic relationships with systems and equipment manufacturers that may require additional investments by us.

 

We have received a report from our independent registered public accounting firm regarding the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 that includes an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. These consolidated financial statements are prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.

 

A 1:8 reverse stock split of MicroVision's common stock became effective on February 17, 2012. All of the share and per share amounts discussed and shown in the consolidated financial statements and notes have been adjusted to reflect the effect of this reverse split.