オスラムが買収でセキュリティーアプリのポートフォリオを強化

AsiaNet 73401 （0803）

【ミュンヘン2018年5月4日PR Newswire＝共同通信JBN】

＊オスラムが面発光レーザー（VCSEL）専門企業のVixarを買収して、光学的識別技術の専門知識に追加

＊VCSEL技術は3D顔認証などセキュリティーアプリに利用

オスラム（Osram）は米国のVixar Incを買収して、半導体ベース光学的セキュリティー技術の専門知識を増強した。すでに赤外線LEDや赤外線レーザーダイオードの技術リーダーであるオスラムは、VCSEL 分野におけるVixarの専門能力を加えたあと、技術的な専門知識で特異な広がりと製品ポートフォリオ増強を獲得する。VCSELは現在、主にモバイル機器の識別アプリケーションとして知られているが、ジェスチャーの認識や、医療、産業、自動車アプリの遠隔測定にも使用されている。VixarはVCSEL業界の草分けが創設した。彼らは1990年代末にVCSELをデータ通信市場に初めてもたらし、最近では2005年にVixarを創設し、センサーアプリを追求している。米ミネソタ州プリマスに本社を置くVixarの従業員約20人は買収を受けてオスラムに異動する。Vixarは業務、純損益の両レベルで利益を上げている。買収交渉の各当事者は財務の詳細を公表しないことで合意している。買収手続きはこの夏完了する見通しである。

オスラムのオラフ・ベルリーン最高経営責任者（CEO）は「Vixar買収はとりわけ急成長しているセキュリティー技術市場で、当社の専門知識を増強する」と語った。オスラムは赤外線光学半導体の技術リーダーであり、すでに指紋センサー、虹彩スキャナー、2D顔認証の光源発売に成功している。取得する機能は、超小型3D顔認証などより高度なセキュリティー技術に道を開く。このような技術はスマートフォンやその他の家電機器の開錠に加え、安全性の高い業界のアクセス制御にも使用可能である。

VCSEL技術が3D環境データを捉える方法は、ジェスチャー認識、拡張現実（AR）、ロボット工学から自動運転の近接センサーに至るあらゆるものに応用されている。VCSELは「vertical cavity surface emitting laser」を表しており、半導体チップ表面の垂直に光が放射される特殊型のレーザーダイオードである。Vixarはファブレス半導体企業で、オプトエレクトロニクス市場にサービスを提供するマーチャントファウンドリーで構成する大規模なサプライチェーンを生み出した。オスラムの底深く幅広い半導体経験は、急成長するVCSEL市場向けの製造能力をさらに強化する。

▽報道関係問い合わせ先

Torsten Wolf

Tel: +49 89 6213 2506

Email: torsten.wolf@osram.com  

Jens Hack

Tel. +49 89 6213 2129

Email: j.hack@osram.com

▽オスラム（OSRAM）について

ドイツのミュンヘンに本社を置くオスラムは、110年以上の歴史を持つ世界的な大手ハイテク企業である。主に半導体ベースの技術に特化し、その製品は仮想現実（VR）から車の自動運転、携帯電話からビルや都市空間におけるスマート照明・接続照明ソリューションに至るまで多岐にわたるアプリケーションに使用されている。オスラムは光の限りない可能性を個人、コミュニティーの生活の質向上に利用する。オスラムのイノベーションによって、世界の人々はよく見えるだけでなく、通信、旅行、仕事、生活も向上する。オスラムは2017会計年度末（9月30日）時点で世界に約2万6400人の従業員を擁し、41億ユーロ以上の収益を上げた。オスラムはフランクフルトおよびミュンヘンの証券取引所に上場している（ISIN: DE000LED4000; WKN: LED400; 銘柄コードOSR）。詳しくはウェブサイト www.osram.com を参照。

ソース：Osram

Osram strengthens portfolio for security applications via acquisition

PR73401

MUNICH, May 4, 2018 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Osram acquires VCSEL specialists Vixar, adding to its expertise in optical

identification technology

- VCSEL technology is used in security applications such as 3D facial

recognition

Osram has added to its expertise in semiconductor-based optical security

technology by acquiring US-based Vixar Inc. Already a technology leader in

infrared LEDs and infrared laser diodes, Osram will have a unique breadth of

technological expertise and an expanded product portfolio after bringing on

board Vixar's specialist capabilities in the field of VCSEL. While currently

known primarily for identification applications in mobile devices, VCSEL also

can be used to recognize gestures and measure distances in medical, industrial,

and automotive applications. Vixar was founded by pioneers in the VCSEL

industry, having first brought VCSEL to the data communication market in the

late 1990s, and more recently by founding Vixar in 2005 to pursue sensing

applications. Approximately 20 employees of the company, which is based in

Plymouth, Minnesota, will transfer to Osram as a result of the acquisition.

Vixar is profitable both on an operational and net results level. The parties

to the deal have agreed not to disclose financial details. Closing of the

transaction is expected in summer.

"The acquisition of Vixar is adding to our expertise, particularly in the

fast-growing market for security technologies," said Olaf Berlien, CEO of OSRAM

Licht AG. Osram is a technology leader in infrared optical semiconductors and

has already succeeded in bringing to market light sources for fingerprint

sensors, iris scanners, and 2D facial recognition. The acquired capabilities

will pave the way for further security technologies, including ultra-compact 3D

facial recognition. In addition to unlocking smartphones and other consumer

electronics devices, such technologies also can be used for high-security

access controls in industry.

The way in which VCSEL technology captures 3D environmental data has

applications in everything from gesture recognition, augmented reality,

robotics, and proximity sensors to autonomous driving. VCSEL stands for

vertical cavity surface emitting laser and is a special type of laser diode in

which the light is emitted perpendicular to the surface of the semiconductor

chip. Vixar is a fabless semiconductor company, and has developed a robust

volume supply chain consisting of merchant foundries serving the optoelectronic

market. Osram's depth and breadth of semiconductor experience will further

strengthen the manufacturing capabilities for the rapidly growing VCSEL market.

PRESS CONTACTS

Torsten Wolf

Tel: +49 89 6213 2506

Email: torsten.wolf@osram.com  

Jens Hack

Tel. +49 89 6213 2129

Email: j.hack@osram.com

ABOUT OSRAM

OSRAM, based in Munich, is a leading global high-tech company with a history

dating back more than 110 years. Primarily focused on semiconductor-based

technologies, our products are used in highly diverse applications ranging from

virtual reality to autonomous driving and from smartphones to networked,

intelligent lighting solutions in buildings and cities. OSRAM utilizes the

infinite possibilities of light to improve the quality of life for individuals

and communities. OSRAM's innovations will enable people all over the world not

only to see better, but also to communicate, travel, work, and live better. As

of the end of fiscal year 2017 (September 30), OSRAM had approximately 26,400

employees worldwide. It generated revenue of more than EUROS4.1 billion in

fiscal year 2017. The company is listed on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt and

Munich (ISIN: DE000LED4000; WKN: LED400; trading symbol: OSR). Additional

information can be found at www.osram.com.

Disclaimer

This document contains forward-looking statements and information, i.e.

statements about events that lie in the future rather than the past. These

forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as 'expect', 'want',

'anticipate', 'intend', 'plan', 'believe', 'seek', 'estimate', 'will', and

'predict'. Such statements are based on current expectations and certain

assumptions made by OSRAM's management, so they are subject to various risks

and uncertainties. A wide range of factors, many of which are beyond OSRAM's

control, have an influence on the business activities, success, business

strategy, and results of OSRAM. These factors may cause the actual results,

success, and performance of OSRAM to differ significantly from those expressly

or implicitly communicated in the forward-looking statements or from those that

are expected on the basis of past trends. In particular, these factors include,

but are not limited to, the circumstances described in the report on risks and

opportunities contained in the annual report of the OSRAM Licht Group. If one

or more of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or should the underlying

assumptions prove incorrect, the actual results, performance, and success of

OSRAM may differ significantly from those described in forward-looking

statements as being expected, anticipated, intended, planned, believed, sought,

estimated, or projected. OSRAM assumes no obligation, nor does it intend, to

update these forward-looking statements above and beyond the legal requirements

or to adjust them in light of unexpected developments. Due to rounding, numbers

presented in this and other reports may not add up precisely to the totals

provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures to

which they relate.

SOURCE  Osram