Scaling Optical Innovation with Moveon Tech

In a market where optical technologies underpin emerging fields like augmented reality, 3D sensing, and advanced medical imaging, local enterprises face the dual challenge of keeping pace with global innovation and delivering at scale.

Moveon Technologies, a Singapore-based precision optics manufacturer, set out to strengthen its R&D and manufacturing capabilities to meet rising customer demands for advanced optical solutions. Partnering with A*STAR through the Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) initiative, the company not only built new technical competencies but also unlocked new revenue streams, contributing to Singapore’s positioning in the global optics value chain.

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By 2015, Moveon Technologies had built an integrated R&D and manufacturing facility, enabling design, simulation, prototyping, and high-precision production. Yet, a critical gap remained:

• Client demand for functional optical coatings was rising, driven by applications in light detection and ranging technology (LIDAR), AR displays, and biometric recognition systems.
• Without in-house coating capabilities, Moveon relied on external partners, which slowed development cycles, increased costs, and limited control over quality.
• Global competitors were already offering end-to-end solutions — risking erosion of Moveon’s market share.

Through A*STAR’s T-Up programme, Moveon engaged with scientists from the A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (A*STAR IME) to co-develop in-house optical coating technology. This strategic collaboration involved:

• Technology development – Establishing coating processes optimised for high-precision optical component, used in developing a component for Dyson’s 360-degree vision system utilising a cata-fisheye optics stack.
  
  

  Moveon developed components for Dyson's 360-degree vision system

• Capability transfer – Building internal expertise to integrate coating with existing manufacturing workflows.
• Application-driven R&D – Customising coatings for high-performance use in 3D cameras, face and iris recognition, and LIDAR systems.

I think in a resource-constrained environment like Singapore, it is not easy to keep finding talent—especially when you’re competing with so many MNCs, T-Up is one way of allowing us to access talent, scientists and people who can bring technology, ideas and innovation to the company. It is a fast-track to R&D.

- Mr Chee Teck Lee, CEO of Moveon

Following this success, Moveon embarked on ten additional T-Up projects with A*STAR, collaborating with the A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (A*STAR SIMTech) and A*STAR the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (A*STAR IMRE) to:

• Develop functional optics for smartphones.
• Create new materials for precision tool fabrication.
• Automate nano-imprinted lens mass production.

The collaboration has delivered sustained business and economic impact:

Expanded service portfolio

• Enabled Moveon to offer a complete, integrated optical manufacturing solution.
• Increased product performance, unlocking premium market segments.
• Optical coatings and nanofabrication now account for ~30% of company revenue.
  
  
  

  New nanofabrication and optical coating technologies gave Moveon an additional competitive edge

• Plans underway to expand production facilities by six-fold to meet global demand.
• Strengthened Singapore’s position in high-value optical manufacturing.