The Automotive Industry and Touchscreen OLEDs are the Future
The Rise of OLED Display Technology in Automobiles
Displays in the automotive industry are increasing in importance, the size and number of displays are now key indicators of a vehicle’s technological content and innovation, influencing buyers’ perceptions much like horsepower once did. Whether the engine is internal combustion, hybrid, or electric, the display size significantly impacts the perceived capabilities of the vehicle. Automakers are increasingly prioritizing advanced human-machine interface (HMI) displays to make a strong first impression, and Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology is playing a crucial role in this regard. OLED displays not only enhance initial impressions but also offer substantial benefits to both users and cockpit designers.
Growth of the Automotive Display Market
A report by the Korea Display Industry Association (KDIA) predicts that the global automotive display market will grow at an average annual rate of 7.8%, from $8.86 billion in 2022 to approximately $12.63 billion by 2027. The adoption of OLED displays is a significant driver of this growth. Although OLEDs accounted for only 2.8% of the market share in 2022, this is expected to rise to 17.2% by 2027.
Advantages of OLED Technology
OLED technology offers several advantages over traditional liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, which has been the mainstay in automotive displays. The high-quality visuals and thin form factor of OLEDs, already popular in consumer electronics, are now being embraced by the automotive industry for both aesthetic and functional reasons.
True Black and High Contrast: OLEDs are emissive displays, meaning that when a pixel is off, it emits no light, achieving true black. This is in contrast to LCDs, which block light from a backlight unit, resulting in dark grey instead of true black. OLEDs provide higher contrast and avoid issues like blooming or haloing seen in LCDs with local dimming.
Benefits for Automotive Users
- Enhanced Comfort: Most in-car graphical user interfaces (GUIs) use black backgrounds to reduce driver distraction at night. OLED’s true black enhances user comfort.
- Improved Safety: High contrast improves display readability, contributing to overall vehicle safety.
- Wide Viewing Angles: Ensures displays are visible from various positions within the vehicle.
- Fast Response at Low Temperatures: OLEDs maintain fast response times even in cold conditions, ensuring critical information is visible without delay.
- Eye-Friendly: OLEDs reduce eye fatigue by not requiring backlighting, which is beneficial for long-duration use.
Cockpit Design and Efficiency
OLED technology aids automakers in overcoming several design challenges:
- Lighter and Thinner: OLEDs offer fewer layers and a thinner structure, making large screens lighter and reducing vehicle weight.
- Innovative Designs: Allows for smaller radius curved designs, enabling unique cockpit layouts.
- Seamless Integration: The true black technology allows the display bezel to blend into the black trim, providing a sleek look.
- Lower Power Consumption: Particularly beneficial for electric vehicles, OLEDs consume less power, extending battery life.
Advances in OLED Technology
Concerns about OLED technology, such as burn-in effects and brightness issues, have been addressed with advancements like the two-stack OLED or Tandem OLED structure, which increases brightness and disperses energy for higher stability and longer lifespan. These improvements have led to increased adoption of OLED displays in high-end vehicles.
The Importance of Touch Interface
A reliable touch interface is critical for user experience, especially in vehicles where conditions can vary widely. Automotive touchscreens must support gloved-finger operation, be electromagnetically compliant, and meet safety standards like ISO26262 ASIL-B. OLED technology uses on-cell touch designs, which, while thinner and lighter, present challenges such as higher capacitive load to the ground. Effective touch controllers must address these challenges with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) sensing, powerful noise cancellation, and efficient signal processing.
OLED technology offers significant advantages in automotive display applications, providing high-quality visuals, energy efficiency, and innovative design possibilities that enhance both aesthetics and functionality. As Crystal Display Systems Limited continues to integrate advanced display solutions, the adoption of OLED displays is set to transform the automotive industry, meeting the evolving demands of modern consumers, and positively influencing purchasing decisions.
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