History

Together, we combine over 110 years of leading expertise in light and sensing. The histories of ams OSRAM are characterized by groundbreaking innovation and cutting-edge technology that has advanced people’s lives for the better. Expanding on our heritage, we come together to create the uncontested leader in optical solutions.

ams 1981 - 2020

 

  • 2020: ams acquires OSRAM Licht AG. With its spectral sensing technology ams enables improvements of rapid coronavirus antibody testing and launches the world’s smallest proximity/light sensor.

  • 2019: ams reports record sales of USD 2,085 million in 2019, an increase of 32% compared to 2018 and introduces the world’s smallest digital IR proximity sensing module and the world’s smallest 1D time-of-flight sensor.

  • 2018: ams releases the industry’s slimmest proximity/color sensor module for bezel-less smartphone designs.

  • 2017: ams annual revenue surpasses EUR 1 billion for the first time and acquires Heptagon and Princeton Optronics Inc. The smallest available XYZ tri-stimulus sensor for true color consumer applications is introduced.

  • 2016: Alexander Everke becomes CEO of ams. The industry’s smallest module to offer color, ambient light, and proximity sensing is launched.

  • 2015: ams acquires CMOSIS and expands its chip testing facility in the Philippines. ams debuts the industry’s first solution for 24/7 heart-rate measurement for wearables and launches the world´s smallest ambient light sensor for next-generation thinner wearable products and the industry’s first sensor module to integrate universal remote control, barcode emulation, color sensing, proximity, and 3D gesture detection.

  • 2012: austriamicrosystems AG and TAOS are merged under one common brand name: ams AG (ams).

  • 2011: austriamicrosystems AG acquires Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions Inc. (TAOS).

  • 2008: austriamicrosystems AG launches the Single Chip Active Noise Cancellation Speaker Driver.

  • 2007: austriamicrosystems AG launches world's first high-precision LED drivers for local dimming LCD backlight technology.

  • 2005: all austriamicrosystems AG products are transferred to 200mm technology.

  • 2004: austriamicrosystems AG goes public again and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker symbol: AMS). The Power Management Unit product family to control LEDs in cell phones in a single sophisticated chip and the world smallest magnetic rotation angle sensor with 10-bit resolution have launched.

  • 2003: austriamicrosystems AG launches ICs for Portable Media Player Platform (MP3), which enabled significantly longer playing times with excellent audio quality.

  • 2002: austriamicrosystems AG starts the production of 200mm wafer factory Fab-B, one of Europe’s most advanced semiconductor facilities at that time.

  • 2001: amendment of Articles of Association, including company name, renaming as austriamicrosystems AG.

  • 2000: Due to the new majority shareholder Permira, Austria Mikro Systeme International Aktiengesellschaft was de-listed from the Vienna stock exchange and was taken private. Strategic reorientation to the communication, industry, medical technology and automotive markets.

  • 1998: Austria Mikro Systeme International Aktiengesellschaft provides two microprocessors for the energy supply for NASA space mission 'Deep Space 2' to Mars.

  • 1994: Launch of world’s first single chip landline telephone with pure CMOS technology (0.8µm technology). Austria Mikro Systeme International Aktiengesellschaft chips are used for a newly launched major flagship phone of a European cell phone company.

  • 1993: First semiconductor manufacturer in Europe to go public, listed on Vienna Stock Exchange.

  • 1992: The company converts from a limited liability company (GmbH) to a joint stock corporation (AG). Austria Mikro Systeme International Aktiengesellschaft power management microprocessors are used for the first commercial cell phone of a European cell phone company. Breakthrough innovation with a single chip for landline telephones (ICs for speed dial, redial, number memory).

  • 1989: Launch of various IC projects for analog and digital landline telephones, exchange stations and digital electricity meters.

  • 1986: Focus on ASIC and foundry businesses, as well as on telecommunications, automotive, and industry markets. First commercial ABS system with Austria Mikro Systeme International Gesellschaft m.b.H. chip is launched for the automotive market.

  • 1982: Opening of the 100mm wafer factory Fab-A. Production of first 100mm wafer in 5µm technology.

  • 1981: Austria Mikro Systeme International Gesellschaft m.b.H. was founded in August 1981 through a joint venture between American Microsystems Inc. (AMI) and VOEST Alpine AG.

OSRAM 1906 - 2020

 

  • 2020: OSRAM offers first fully legal headlight upgrade with LED-based automotive retrofit lamps.

  • 2019: OSRAM introduces first Quantum-Dot LED (nanometer-sized semiconductor particles).

  • 2018: Introducing XLS (eXchangeable LED lightSource), standardized LED light sources for signal and fog applications in the automotive industry. XLS allows a fast and simple mounting process at OEMs, simplifies supply chain, reduces complexity, enables end-customer replacements and therefore reduces overall costs significantly.

  • 2017: Opening of the world’s largest and most advanced 6-inch LED chip factory in Kulim (Malaysia). OSRAM's Eviyos LED for smart headlights provides intelligent headlighting with more than 1,000 individually controllable pixels.

  • 2016: OSRAM carves out its lamp business for general lighting – LEDVANCE GmbH is born. World premiere: OSRAM introduces IR spectroscopy LED for food analysis via mobile device. Groundbreaking for the construction of new production facilities for electronics components in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and in Monterrey, Mexico.

  • 2015: First IR emitter for iris scan in mobile phones.

  • 2014: OSRAM launches first LARP3 laser light source for high beam function in automotive headlamps with light beam up to 600 meters.

  • 2013: After the spin-off from Siemens, OSRAM goes public as the largest purely lighting group in the world at that time, and lists as OSRAM Licht AG.

  • 2012: Development of e:cue Wi-Fi Controller, apps for light management.

  • 2010: Start of development for Laser Activated Remote Phosphor (LARP) based applications. OSRAM provides thin-film LEDs for horticulture lighting, cutting down energy use.

  • 2008: OSRAM’s first thin-film infrared proximity sensor in mobile phones.

  • 2007: Groundbreaking for the LED chip factory in Penang (Malaysia).

  • 2005: First commercial luminaire with OLED modules by OSRAM.

  • 2003: OSRAM opens the world’s most advanced plant for light emitting diodes in Regensburg at that time. OSRAM set up new UV/IR business unit (ultraviolet and infrared lamps). Water disinfection is one of the applications for these lamp.

  • 2001: OSRAM’s thin-film technology is the key to producing LED chips of extremely high brightness.

  • 1999: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors set up as a joint venture of OSRAM and Siemens Halbleiter. First blue InGaN laser in Europe (CD-Players). Presentation of an entire LED portfolio.

  • 1997: First patents for OLED technology.

  • 1996: Development of first white converted LED.

  • 1995: Fluorescent light lamp T5 which is worldwide standard up to the present day.

  • 1993: OSRAM acquires SYLVANIA North American Lighting, the second largest lamp manufacturer in North America.

  • 1988: First commercial blue LED as prerequisite of conversion to white light.

  • 1987: HMI lamps for film and TV are awarded an Oscar.

  • 1986: First infrared rain sensor for cars reducing the risk of car accidents.

  • 1985: Market launch of the energy-saving lamp DULUX. OSRAM becomes a pioneer for energy-saving lamps in private households.

  • 1983: OSRAM gains Oscar Award for XBO lamps for film and TV lighting.

  • 1978: Siemens AG becomes sole shareholder of OSRAM GmbH.

  • 1976: First modern TV remote control based on IR LED makes watching TV more comfortable (950 nm IR emitter combined with silicone photodiode with daylight filter).

  • 1974: First colored LED in automotive dashboard.

  • 1972: OSRAM starts building a factory for LEDs in Regensburg, Germany.

  • 1970: HMI METALLOGEN lamp for better motion picture lighting and studio lighting.

  • 1968: Metal halide lamp on quartz technology POWERSTAR HQI allows TV-ready stadium lighting.

  • 1967: Implementation of OSRAM halogen lamps.

  • 1954: Invention of the Xenon short-arc lamp for cinema projection but also stage lighting and TV lighting.

  • 1936: First fluorescent light enables energy-efficient lighting of offices and industrial halls.

  • 1931: Sodium low pressure lamps revolutionize street lighting and make cities brighter, more livable and safer.

  • 1929: General Electric becomes a shareholder in OSRAM Werke G.m.b.H. KG.

  • 1927: OSRAM builds the machine glass works in Berlin-Siemensstadt.

  • 1925: Two filament headlight lamp BILUX enables high and low beam in one light for the first time, making road traffic safer.

  • 1919: Auergesellschaft, S&H and AEG merge their lamp production facilities in Berlin under the name of OSRAM Werke G.m.b.H. KG. OSRAM as company is born.

  • 1906: Registration of OSRAM as a trademark in Berlin.

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