E Ink Holdings and Japan Display have announced a “long-term strategic alliance” that will have the two companies working together on ePaper displays.
Japan Display, also known as JDI currently makes LCD and AMOLED screens for smartphones and other devices including wearable, automotive, and industrial products.
JDI says partnering with E Ink could help the company develop new automotive solutions, education products, Internet of Things Displays, and dynamic keyboards, among other things.
E Ink is probably best known for developing the screen technology used in eReaders like the Amazon Kindle and B&N NOOK. It’s a high-contrast, paper-like type of display that’s easy to read in direct sunlight without any backlight, and which only consumes power when you change the image on the screen, which means static images can be displayed indefinitely without draining your battery.
Over the past few years, E Ink has also introduced solutions for digital signage, luggage tags, and other product categories. The partnership with JDI could help E Ink expand into new territory, especially if JDI follows through on its promise to build ePaper displays using its LTPS screen technology and “Pixel Eyes” in-cell touch  products.
There’s no word on when JDI’s first E Ink displays will hit the streets.