Microvision’s Strategic Pivot: A New Chapter for Lidar Technology

Recent strategic moves by Microvision have captured the attention of market participants, signaling a potential acceleration in the company's path to commercialization. A series of concrete developments, including a key acquisition and new product targets, have spurred both share price movement and favorable analyst commentary.

The market's reaction to Microvision's announcements has been notably positive. On January 12, the company's equity saw a gain of 5.89%. This movement coincided with supportive analysis from the investment community; as of January 15, at least two research firms maintained a "Strong Buy" rating. The average price target from three analysts, as of January 13, stands at $2.50.

Driving this strategic shift is CEO Glen DeVos, who assumed the role in September 2025. His vision involves transitioning Microvision from a pure-play automotive lidar provider to a broader perception and safety platform. The company is emphasizing its solid-state technology, on-board system-on-chip (SoC) capabilities, and an open software framework designed to allow OEMs to integrate their own perception stacks.

Acquisition and Technology Integration

A cornerstone of this new direction was finalized in early January with the completion of Microvision's acquisition of Scantinel Photonics. This deal integrates 1550-nm Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) lidar technology into Microvision's portfolio. This specific technology is particularly suited for applications in commercial vehicles and defense projects. The transaction is backed by partners including ZEISS, Scania (a TRATON company), and PhotonVentures, a factor that may facilitate the company's European market entry.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Microvision?

Product Roadmap and Cost Targets

The company's product strategy came into sharper focus at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 14. During the event, CEO DeVos unveiled the MOVIA™ S, a 180-degree solid-state lidar sensor. A central theme of the presentation was an aggressive cost-reduction roadmap. The near-term target is to offer a short-range sensor for approximately $200. Looking further ahead, the goal is to achieve a sub-$100 cost structure for the broader automotive industry by the 2028–2029 timeframe.

Production for the MOVIA family, along with the company's LCAS collision avoidance solutions, is scheduled for 2026. Initial applications are targeted at industrial and warehouse environments, marking a deliberate expansion beyond automotive.

The Upcoming Catalyst and Outlook

The next significant test for Microvision's refreshed strategy will likely be its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report, anticipated around March 3. Market experts are forecasting an earnings per share (EPS) figure of approximately -$0.05, with revenues near $1.6 million.

The commercial trajectory for Microvision may hinge on forthcoming announcements. Should the company disclose substantial industrial orders or confirm the on-schedule production start for its MOVIA product line by that time, it could significantly accelerate its commercialization efforts. Conversely, a lack of such tangible progress may temper investor enthusiasm until more visible advances in revenue generation and delivery capabilities are demonstrated.