Chances are that you both at home and in the car soon have OLED light around you. Organic light-emitting diode, OLED, is a new technology that provides amazing opportunities to dramatically alter both lighting and display experience. Who will be first to market, BMW or Audi – or someone else?
lighting technology for cars is constantly evolving and you who have been around a while remember how much hype that was surrounding the xenon lamps when they arrived in the early 90s. Premium manufacturers like Audi and BMW quickly saw the chance to design a special light using xenon lamps.
For more than ten years ago, the LEDs appear in the cars and just recently we saw the first examples of laser lights at Audi and BMW .
But now is the time to to learn a new name for light bulbs for cars: “OLED”, or OLEDs, which we have chosen to write the abbreviation. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is a technology we see coming in more and more monitors, cell phones and televisions.
As expected, the Audi and BMW who first jumped on the bandwagon with OLED technology. In the above video, BMW has taken the opportunity to show how the design of the rear lights to M4: an can be done “three-dimensional” and the light seem to float inside the luminaire.
Inside, there are benefits OLED technology when the light can radiate from a large area, which is perceived as softer light. Ceiling lights, for example, advantageously be made with large, thin OLED tiles.
The ability to build extremely thin layers of lighting is something you like in the automotive industry. Rear lights can be made extremely flat, BMW claims that the thickness is only 1.4 millimeters. It is very much smaller compared to conventional incandescent lamps and LEDs postcards available dot-shaped and have a certain scattering angle, and a certain depth, to spread the light right. Thus, the boot volume is increased with OLED technology. Because OLEDs are so flat they can be made larger, without encroaching on the space in general.
Initially, OLED technology not as energy efficient but nowadays it on par with LEDs . Since OLED light is not created in a small bright spot (but in many small points of light) is not the same problem with the heat on LED and laser lights may require special measures in the form of heat sinks and fans.
Audi, Philips Automotive Lighting, Merck and the University of Cologne conducted a joint research project called “OLED 3D”. They made taillights to an Audi TT in which the light surfaces actually molds itself in all three dimensions. From concept to mass production need not step being so far, but might have time BMW before? Click image for larger version
Lifetime has was an area where there has been reluctance, OLED has a tendency to drop in brightness with increasing age. But both Osram and Philips reports success in this area.
After market has also become aware of OLEDs and Osram became the first to use such a product. “OSRAM OLED Reading Light” flat screen with infinitely adjustable brightness and built-in battery which is charged via the 5V USB connector. Works great in the car but can of course be used in many other places. Expect that soon we will see more examples of work lamps, desk lights and the like with OLED technology.
Besides being used as the light source, we can soon see more examples of OLED screens in automotive infotainment systems. On the screens (and TVs too) has OLED technology advantage that the individual light points can be extinguished completely leaving a black, contrast and brightness that were previously not possible. It is especially good in a car where the ambient light can vary greatly from sunshine to pitch black.
An OLED display can also be bent, which is especially suitable in cars. Another advantage is that OLED screens can be made extremely thin, only a few millimeters thick and basically “wallpapered” on top of existing surfaces. One of the first models with rear lights that have OLED technology could be the next generation of the BMW 7 Series, but as with laser headlights would probably Audi have a say in the matter too.
All new technologies cost extra , but with mass production and refined methods teach OLEDs drop in price. But we know already that xenon lights, broken lights and damaged screens in cars are far from free repair. As a car owner can become puzzled about the legitimacy of replacing a small display on the car stereo at the same price as a 52-inch LED TV cost. Technological development is not only for the good, always.
Do not miss this reading:
BMW shows M4 laser headlights – what do you think?
I think BMW will be the first real OLEDs.
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