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1. The Company and liquidity
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Notes to Financial Statements  
The Company and liquidty - Note 1

1. The Company and liquidity

 

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 uses 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 device manufacturers (ODMs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in various market segments, including consumer electronics and automotive, for integration into their products.

During 2012, we aligned our operations to our ingredient brand strategy, simplifying our operations and resulting in a significant reduction to our 2013 cash usage relative to 2012. Our strategy is to focus our efforts on licensing our technology and selling display engine components to partners who will produce display engines based on PicoP display technology and either sell those display engines to OEMs, or incorporate the engines into their own products.

Our development efforts are focused on improving the performance of display engines through the improvement of both engine system, hardware and software design, and the performance of various components of the display engine. We also provide engineering support to our customers as they prepare to manufacture display engines as well as providing support to ODMs and OEMs during the integration and optimization of PicoP display technology for specific products.

The primary objective for consumer applications is to provide users of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and other consumer electronics products with a large screen viewing experience produced by a small projector either embedded in the device or via a companion product. These potential products would allow users to watch movies and videos, play games, and display images and other data onto a variety of surfaces, freeing users from the limitations of a small screen.

PicoP display technology could also be combined with other components and systems to be embedded into a vehicle or integrated into a portable standalone head-up display (HUD). HUD technology allows for important information, such as safety warnings or navigation instructions, to be projected so that it appears in front of vehicle operators where the information can be accessed without taking their eyes off the road.

We also see potential for PicoP display technology in other areas, although we are not currently working with customers. PicoP display technology could be combined with other components and systems to be incorporated 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.

Devices enabled by PicoP display technology could 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 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 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 March 2014. We will require additional cash to fund our operating plan past that time. 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. This limitation of operations could include reducing our planned investment in development projects resulting in reductions in staff, operating costs, capital expenditures and investment in research and development.

Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, the rate at which OEMs or ODMs introduce products incorporating the PicoP display 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, 2013 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.