Polymer Vision describes the device, dubbed Readius, as a “mobile e-reader” and claimed it would demonstrate the viability of its roll-up display.

Readius is a prototype of a connected consumer device for business professionals unwilling to sacrifice readability, mobility, performance, or weight in a pocket-sized, e-reader concept, the company said. However, Polymer Vision does not intend to commercialize this concept, leaving that up to future customers.

The Readius is based on the PV-QML5 display module. Polymer Vision said design starts around its PV-QML5 were imminent in March. The PV-QML5 is 100-microns thick with a resolution of QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) on a 5-inch diagonal. When not in use the display can be rolled up with a radius of curvature of less than 7.5-millimeters, Polymer Vision said. With four gray levels, the monochrome display provides a contrast ratio of 10:1. The display uses a bi-stable electrophoretic display effect from E Ink Corp. When the user has finished reading, the display can be rolled back into the Readius which then measures 100-mm by 60-mm by 20-mm.

Polymer Vision said it had created the Readius concept device to stimulate customer feedback.

“Making displays thinner and flexible will have advantages in power and weight. But the only way to add the key advantage of size—allowing larger displays in smaller, pocket-size mobile devices—is by actually making the displays rollable,” said Karl McGoldrick, chief executive officer of Polymer Vision, in a statement.