Six hundred times magnification of liquid crystal molecules

AUO takes the mission to be a global leader in green solutions to the heart of every strategic move. Being able to offer our valued customers diverse applications and a wide range of technologies is our top priority. Improvements are constantly being met in our manufacturing process technologies, including reduction number of steps in the manufacturing process, good use of automation and robotics to improve efficiency and reduce human contamination in the clean-room manufacturing environments, and reduction the number of components in the manufacturing process.

Currently we manufacture all of our panels using TFT-LCD technology, which is the popular choice for flat panel displays to date. AUO is the first in the industry to launch TFT-LCDs with 12ms and 8ms response time respectively. In 2005, AUO once again took the lead among the peers to unveil the desktop monitor panel with 2ms response time. In 2006, AUO unveiled a full series of LCD TV technologies, including AMVA technology with low color washout and super high contrast ratio, HiColor technology with the achievement of high color saturation, ASPD technology with the solution of blurred motion problem, and APE technology featuring natural color images and clear depth of view. In addition, AUO has developed technologies to meet the emerging market trends of thinner, lighter, and power-saving features as well as concerns for environmental protection. We will strive to develop and create any possible ways that not only improve our operations and bottom line but also help our environment.

Our research and development activities are principally directed towards advancing our manufacturing process technology and product development, including improving the features of our products and working jointly with our customers to design products that are tailored to their specific requirements. We have a product development team dedicated to each of our primary product categories. To support our fabs, we maintain a centralized research and development team that works to improve our manufacturing processes, as well as a team of technical support personnel that focus on computer integrated manufacturing.

Our strength in being the leading TFT-LCD manufacturer in Taiwan is large due to our consistent focus on research and development. IFI Claims Patents Service placed AUO as the fifth fastest growing patent applicant in the United Sates in 2004 with a 98% annual increase. In 2005, AUO aggressively obtained hundreds of TFT-LCD technology-related patents from IBM. As of 2013 , AUO has successfully obtained about 10,800 patents.

AUO achieves many "first" records in Taiwan:

• AUO Technology Center (ATC) was established in 2002, which is known to be Taiwan's largest R&D facility ever built.
• Since 2002, AUO has been the leading patent applications in Taiwan's flat panel industry.
• AUO was the first to produce reflective TFT-LCD panels that are used in small-sized wireless applications requiring low power consumption.
• AUO was the first to produce to integrate connectors onto the glass substrates (COG technology) thereby reducing our raw material costs and improving our product quality and reliability.
• AUO mass produces TFT-LCD panels by means of 3.5th, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7.5th and 8.5th generation fabs.

Our aggressive efforts placed in the advancement of TFT-LCD and flat panel display technology are and will continue to be the basis of our dedication and commitment in offering top-notch quality and cost effective products to our customers.

As the TFT-LCD industry is characterized by rapid technological changes, we believe that effective research and development is essential to our success. AU Optronics has established its R&D facility, AUO Technology Center (ATC), which is known to be Taiwan's largest ever built. At ATC, research efforts are dedicated to the development of new products and technologies, manufacturing process, continuous product improvements, and increasing intellectual property right ownership. The research center is undoubtedly a key element of AUO's blueprint for its future success in the TFT-LCD industry.

Currently, AUO has two technology centers in Hsinchu and Taichung respectively. With the aim to establish the best LCD technology platform and fully integrate our R&D resources, AUO in 2002 invested NT$1.2 billion (USD35.3 million) in constructing the 684,000 sq. ft. research center next to our headquarters in the Hsin-Chu Science Park. The 9-storey R&D center houses 8 to 16 research labs, state-of-the-art training facilities, an all-digital multi-media library, plus a 300-seat conference facility. In 2005, we expanded our ATC to the Central Taiwan Science Park. Currently, AU Optronics Corp. houses a staff of 3,200 R&D professionals worldwide, whose specialties include the research and development of new technologies, platforms, products, integrated solutions, equipment science, and automated technologies.

AUO is known to have filed the highest number of patents in Taiwan's flat panel display industry. Intellectual property rights play a key role in achieving competitive advantages in this industry and AUO has been aggressively increasing its number count in intellectual property right ownership.

Research activities at ATC include advanced technology development such as low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS). In addition to new product development and module processing, the Center also devotes substantial efforts in improving current LCD production and product technologies.

AUO Technology Center fully integrates AUO's R&D resources in achieving optimal efficiency and ensures progress in key technologies. The Company's strategy and technical planning team target to keep AUO at the forefront of the industry with new and advanced flat panel display technologies and reliable quality products.