SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Use of estimates

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from our estimates. We have identified the following areas where estimates and assumptions have been made in preparing the financial statements: business combinations, valuation of intangibles, revenue recognition, inventory valuation, valuation of share-based payments, income taxes, depreciable lives assessment and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

Cash and cash equivalents and fair value of financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents and fair value of financial instruments

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the authoritative guidance establishes a three level fair value inputs hierarchy, and requires an entity to maximize the use of observable valuation inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. We use market data, assumptions and risks we believe market participants would use in measuring the fair value of the asset or liability, including the risks inherent in the inputs and the valuation techniques.

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The carrying value of our financial instruments approximates fair value due to their short maturities. Our cash equivalents are comprised of short-term highly rated (A rated securities and above) money market savings accounts.

Our short-term investment securities are primarily debt securities. The Company has classified its entire investment portfolio as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income (loss). Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses are presented separately on the income statement.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MicroVision, Inc. and MicroVision GmbH. MicroVision GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of MicroVision, Inc. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Business Combination

Business Combination

Our business combination is accounted for under the acquisition method. We allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of the underlying net assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the purchase consideration is included in bargain purchase gain in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency for our German operation is the Euro, which represents the currency of its primary economic environment. The results of operations for the German operation are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates during each period. All assets and liabilities are translated using exchange rates at the end of each period, with foreign currency translation adjustments included as a component of other comprehensive loss. All equity transactions and certain assets are translated using historical rates. The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars.

Segment Information

Segment Information

We determine operating segments based on how our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) manages the business, makes operating decisions around the allocation of resources, and evaluates operating performance. Our CODM is our Executive Management team, who reviews our operating results on a consolidated basis. We operate as one segment, which relates to sale and servicing of lidar hardware and software. The profitability of our product group is not a determining factor in allocating resources and the CODM does not evaluate profitability below the level of the consolidated company.

Inventory

Inventory

Inventory consists of raw materials, work in process and finished goods assemblies. Inventory is computed using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method and is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Management periodically assesses the need to account for obsolescence of inventory and adjusts the carrying value of inventory to its net realizable value when required.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets

Our intangible assets consist of acquired technology from the January 2023 Ibeo asset purchase and purchased patents. As part of the Ibeo asset acquisition, we acquired primarily two intangible assets in the form of Perception software and Reference software with a useful life of 15 years and 8 years, respectively. The estimated fair value of acquired technology was calculated through the income approach using the multi-period excess earnings and relief from royalty methodologies. The intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, ranging from one to seventeen years. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of their carrying values to the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related intangible assets or group of assets over their remaining lives. Measurement of an impairment loss for our intangible assets is based on the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets (two to five years) using the straight-line method. Our property and equipment may include assets related to future product lines. As our production needs change, we periodically assess the remaining estimated useful life of our production equipment. If necessary, we adjust the depreciation on our production equipment to reflect the remaining estimated useful life. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of estimated useful lives or the lease term. Costs for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred and expenditures for major improvements are capitalized at cost. Gains or losses on the disposition of assets are reflected in the income statements at the time of disposal.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash

Restricted cash, current includes $3.3 million related to the Ibeo asset acquisition that has been withheld from the Purchase Price and held in escrow for a maximum period of 13 months post-Closing as partial security for potential claims arising out of or in connection with the Asset Purchase Agreement.

In addition, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, restricted cash, net of current portion was in money market savings accounts and serves as collateral for irrevocable letters of credit related to our facility lease agreements. The restricted cash balance at December 31, 2023 includes $0.7 million related to a letter of credit that was issued in connection with a lease agreement entered into in September 2021 for our company headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The new lease commenced on December 1, 2022, and the required balance of the letter credit periodically decreases over the term of the 120-month lease. The restricted cash balance also includes $0.3 million related to a letter of credit that was issued in connection with a lease agreement entered into in September 2021 for our general office and lab space in Redmond, Washington, and the required balance of the letter of credit periodically decreases over the term of the 120-month lease.

Leases

Leases

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. On our balance sheet, our office lease is included in Operating lease right-of-use (ROU) asset, Current portion of operating lease liability and Operating lease liability, net of current portion. On our balance sheet, finance leases are included in Property and equipment, Current portion of finance lease obligations and Finance lease obligations, net of current portion.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. For leases that do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Significant judgment may be required when determining whether a contract contains a lease, the length of the lease term, the allocation of the consideration in a contract between lease and non-lease components, and the determination of the discount rate included in our office lease. We review the underlying objective of each contract, the terms of the contract, and consider our current and future business conditions when making these judgments.

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition

The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue. Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We generate all of our revenue from contracts with customers.

We evaluate contracts based on the 5-step model as stated in Topic 606 as follows: (i) identify the contract, (ii) identify the performance obligations, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied.

A contract contains a promise (or promises) to transfer goods or services to a customer. A performance obligation is a promise (or a group of promises) that is distinct, as defined in the revenue standard.

The transaction price is the amount of consideration an entity expects to be entitled to from a customer in exchange for providing the goods or services. A number of factors should be considered to determine the transaction price, including whether there is variable consideration, a significant financing component, noncash consideration, or amounts payable to the customer. The determination of variable consideration will require a significant amount of judgment. In estimating the transaction price we will use either the expected value method or the most likely amount method.

The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations in the contract based on relative standalone selling prices. Determining the relative standalone selling price can be challenging when goods or services are not sold on a standalone basis. The revenue standard sets out several methods that can be used to estimate a standalone selling price when one is not directly observable. Allocating discounts and variable consideration must also be considered. Allocating the transaction price can require significant judgement on our part.

Revenue is recognized when (or as) the customer obtains control of the good or service/performance obligations are satisfied. Topic 606 provides guidance to help determine if a performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time or over time. Where a performance obligation is satisfied over time, the related revenue is also recognized over time.

Product revenue

We sell our products to customers under a contract or by purchase order. We consider the sale of each individual item to be one performance obligation. The transaction price is generally either at stated product price per quantity or at a fixed amount at contract inception. Revenue is recognized under Topic 606 when the product is shipped to the customer because control passes to the customer at the point of shipment. Our product sales generally include acceptance provisions, however, because we generally can objectively determine that we have met agreed-upon customer specifications prior to shipment, control of the item passes at the time of shipment.

License and royalty revenue

We recognize revenue on upfront license fees at a point in time if the nature of the license granted is a right-to-use license, representing functional intellectual property with significant standalone functionality. If the nature of the license granted is a right-to-access license, representing symbolic intellectual property, which excludes significant standalone functionality, we recognize revenue over the period of time we have ongoing obligations under the agreement. We will recognize revenue from sales-based royalties on the basis of the quarterly reports provided by our customer as to the number of royalty-bearing products sold or otherwise distributed. In the event that reports are not received, we will estimate the number of royalty-bearing products sold by our customers.

Contract revenue

Our contract revenue in a particular period is dependent upon when we enter into a contract, the value of the contracts we have entered into, and the availability of technical resources to perform work on the contracts. We recognize contract revenue either at a point in time, or over time, depending upon the characteristics of the individual contract. If control of the deliverable(s) occur over time, the revenue is recognized in proportion to the transfer of control. If control passes to the customer only upon completion and transfer of the asset, revenue is recognized at the completion of the contract. In contracts that include significant customer acceptance provisions, we recognize revenue only upon acceptance of the deliverable(s).

We identify each performance obligation in our development contracts at contract inception. The contracts generally include product development and customization specified by the customer. In contracts with multiple performance obligations, we identify each performance obligation and evaluate whether the performance obligations are distinct within the context of the contract. Performance obligations that are not distinct at contract inception are combined.

Our development contracts are primarily fixed-fee contracts. If control of deliverables occurs over time, we recognize revenue on fixed fee contracts on the proportion of total cost expended (under Topic 606, the ‘input method’) to the total cost expected to complete the contract performance obligation. For contracts that require the input method for revenue recognition, the determination of the total cost expected to complete the performance obligations on fixed fee contracts involves significant judgment. We incorporate revisions to hour and cost estimates when the causal facts become known.

Cost of product revenue

Cost of product revenue includes the direct and allocated indirect costs of products sold to customers. Direct costs include labor, materials, reserves for estimated warranty expenses, and other costs incurred directly, or charged to us by our contract manufacturers in the manufacture of these products. Indirect costs include labor, manufacturing overhead, and other costs associated with operating our manufacturing capabilities and capacity. Manufacturing overhead includes the costs of procuring, inspecting and storing material, facility and other costs, and is allocated to cost of product revenue based on the proportion of indirect labor which supported production activities. The cost of product revenue can fluctuate significantly from period to period, depending on the product mix and volume, the level of manufacturing overhead expense and the volume of direct material purchased.

Cost of contract revenue

Cost of contract revenue includes both the direct and allocated indirect costs of performing on contracts and producing prototype units and evaluation kits. Direct costs include labor, materials and other costs incurred directly in producing prototype units and evaluation kits or performing on a contract. Indirect costs include labor and other costs associated with operating our research and development department and building our technical capabilities and capacity. Cost of contract revenue is determined by the level of direct and indirect costs incurred, which can fluctuate substantially from period to period.

Our overhead, which includes the costs of procuring, inspecting and storing material, and facility and depreciation costs, is allocated to inventory, cost of product revenue, cost of contract revenue, and research and development expense based on the level of effort supporting production or research and development activity.

Concentration of credit risk and major customers and suppliers

Concentration of credit risk and major customers and suppliers

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk are primarily cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We typically do not require collateral from our customers. As of December 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents are comprised of short-term highly rated (A rated securities and above) money market savings accounts.

Concentration of major customers and suppliers

In 2023, one commercial customer (“Customer A”) accounted for $4.6 million in revenue, representing 63% of our total revenue, a second commercial customer accounted for $0.8 million in revenue, representing 11% of our total revenue and a third commercial customer accounted for $0.4 million in revenue, representing 5% of our total revenue. In 2022, Customer A accounted for $0.7 million in revenue, representing 100% of our total revenue. No revenue was recognized from Customer A during the second half of 2022 or the first three quarters of 2023 as no shipments of our components were reported by the customer during that period. In 2021, Customer A accounted for $2.5 million in revenue, representing 100% of our total revenue. Subsequent to fiscal year 2023, we do not expect to recognize further revenue from Customer A, which will negatively affect our future revenue.

Typically, a significant concentration of our components and the products we have sold are manufactured and obtained from single or limited-source suppliers. The loss of any single or limited-source supplier, the failure of any of these suppliers to perform as expected, or the disruption in the supply chain of components from these suppliers could subject us to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, increased cost of sales, possible loss of revenues, or significant delays in product development or product deliveries, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

Income taxes

Income taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of the assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense is recorded for the amount of income tax payable for the period increased or decreased by the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period.

Net loss per share

Net loss per share

Basic net loss per share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods. Net loss per share, assuming dilution, is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the dilutive effect of all potentially dilutive securities, including common stock equivalents and convertible securities. Net loss per share, assuming dilution, is equal to basic net loss per share because the effect of dilutive securities outstanding during the periods, including options and warrants computed using the treasury stock method, is anti-dilutive.

The components of basic and diluted net loss per share were as follows (in thousands, except loss per share data):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2023			2022			2021
Numerator:
Net loss available for common shareholders	$	(82,842	)	$	(53,091	)	$	(43,200	)
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		182,802			165,958			160,662
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	$	(0.45	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.27	)

During each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we excluded the following securities from net loss per share as the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive. The shares shown represent the number of shares of common stock which would be issued upon conversion in the respective years shown below (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2023		2022		2021
Options outstanding		752		945		1,533
Nonvested restricted stock units		9,983		8,866		2,625
		10,735		9,811		4,158

Research and development

Research and development

Research and development expense consists of compensation related costs of employees and contractors engaged in internal research and product development activities, direct material to support development programs, laboratory operations, outsourced development and processing work, and other operating expenses. We assign our research and development resources based on the business opportunity of the available projects, the skill mix of the resources available and the contractual commitments we have made to our customers. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. We believe that a substantial level of continuing research and development expense will be required to further develop our technology.

Share-based compensation

Share-based compensation

We issue share-based compensation to employees in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs), and performance stock units (PSUs) and stock options. We account for the share-based awards by recognizing the fair value of share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of RSUs and non-executive PSUs is determined by the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. For performance-based awards, expense is recognized when it is probable the performance criteria will be achieved. If the likelihood becomes improbable that the performance criteria will be achieved, the expense is reversed. Executive PSUs that have market-based performance criteria are valued using a binomial option pricing model using the following inputs: stock price, volatility, and risk-free interest rates. Changes in estimated inputs or using other option valuation methods may result in materially different option values and share-based compensation expense. The fair value of stock options is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

The following table summarizes the amount of share-based compensation expense by line item on the Statement of Operations (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2023		2022		2021
Research and development expense		6,531		6,933		6,125
Sales, marketing, general and administrative expense		9,610		8,528		9,159
	$	16,141	$	15,461	$	15,284

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to classifications used in the current year. These reclassifications had no impact on net loss, shareholders’ equity or cash flows, as previously reported.