OSRAM is a German company with a rich history, founded in 1919 through the merger of the lighting businesses of companies such as Auergesellschaft, Siemens & Halske and Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG). The name "OSRAM" comes from the elements osmium and wolfram (tungsten), which were used for light bulb filaments at the time.

Originally a world leader in the production of light bulbs and luminaires, OSRAM has evolved over the decades into a high-tech company focused on photonics.

What does OSRAM do today?

Today, OSRAM, under the umbrella of the ams OSRAM Group (after the acquisition in 2020 by the Austrian company ams), focuses on:

Advanced lighting technologies: From LEDs (white, colored, UV-C, IR LEDs) and lasers, to drivers and optical modules.
Sensor solutions: This is a major growth area, including ambient light, color, proximity sensors, CMOS image sensors and X-ray sensors.
Specialized applications: OSRAM products and solutions are used in a wide range of areas, including:
Automotive: Exterior and interior lighting for vehicles, sensors for driver assistance systems (ADAS), functional and ambient lighting.
Industrial: Robotics, automation, material processing, projection, security.
Medical and Healthcare: Medical imaging, digital diagnostic devices.
Mobile and wearables: Screen management, authentication, camera enhancement.
General and entertainment lighting: For agriculture, outdoor and industrial lighting, indoor lighting and entertainment applications.

OSRAM sold its traditional LED retrofit lamp and bulb segments for general lighting applications in 2016 (to a Chinese consortium), and has since focused on innovations in optical and sensor technologies to meet the demands of modern and future markets. The company has a global presence, with operations in over 120 countries.