Huawei and Leica Camera AG today announced they have expanded their strategic collaboration with the establishment of a jointly operated research and innovation centre, the ‘Max Berek Innovation Lab’. The launch comes seven months after the public announcement of their long-term technology partnership in the field of optical engineering, and five months after the launch of the globally successful, multiple-award winning Huawei P9 and P9 Plus smartphones.

The new lab, located at Leica’s global HQ in Wetzlar, Germany, will drive further development of optical systems and software-based technologies to improve imaging quality in a wide range of photographic and mobile device applications. Additional outcomes will include the creation of computational imaging, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions. In addition to R&D resources from both companies, Huawei and Leica plan to collaborate with German and international universities and research institutions.

The lab’s establishment is the result of the vision and support of Ren Zhengfei, CEO of Huawei and Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, majority shareholder and chairman of the advisory board of Leica Camera AG.

Ren Zhengfei, CEO of Huawei (right) and Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, majority shareholder and chairman of the advisory board of Leica Camera AG(left), signing the agreement on the establishment of the ‘Max Berek Innovation Lab’

“In the future, over 90 percent of data traffic will be images and videos,” said Ren Zhengfei, CEO of Huawei. “The Max Berek Innovation Lab provides the capacity to establish an even closer partnership with Leica, leading to continuous improvements in image and video quality. As a result, we will deliver the most advanced innovations in the smartphone camera market and bring greater value to consumers.”

“With the founding of the Max Berek Innovation Lab, Huawei and Leica Camera AG are expanding the scope of their successful strategic relationship and are laying the foundation for close collaboration in research and development of groundbreaking technologies in the imaging segment,” emphasised Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, majority shareholder and chairman of the advisory board of Leica Camera AG.

 “Huawei and Leica share not only enormous innovation power and years of research experience, but also their dedication to providing the highest quality standards. The Max Berek Innovation Lab offers us a historic opportunity to unite the resources and extensive expertise of both companies to pioneer game-changing technologies,” confirmed Markus Limberger, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Leica Camera AG and Director of the Max Berek Innovation Lab. 

The research and innovation centre is named in remembrance of Max Berek (1886 – 1949), the German pioneer of microscopy and creator of the first Leica lenses, who was also responsible for the optical design of more than 20 lenses for the legendary 35mm camera invented and built by Oskar Barnack. Thanks to their exceptional imaging performance and perfect harmonisation of the lenses, with Barnack’s ingenious construction, it become possible for Leica to achieve worldwide success in 35mm photography.