The trends of electric vehicles and smart cars are drastically altering vehicle architecture, manufacturing models and the supplier ecosystem. In response to these trends, AU Optronics Corp (AUO) is working on the research and design of high quality automotive displays featuring Micro LED and AmLED.

The manufacturer has announced “the future smart cockpit integration services” that leverage smart human-machine interactive display and exclusive cockpit design as the differentiation niche for the implementation of smart transportation and automotive services.

The goal, says AUO, is to provide drivers and passengers immersive sensual experiences, create smart cockpits for future cars and build a premium third living space beyond one’s home and workplace.

Micro LED Automotive Displays for New Smart Cockpit Experience

Having the advantages of high brightness, high contrast, wide colour gamut, fast response and high reliability, Micro LED is the emerging next-generation display technology. This year, AUO launches Micro LED with decoration film for immersive automotive display solutions which, says the company, will complement and blend perfectly with car deck panels to go with various patterns and texture, such as wood print, to fit desired cockpit design aesthetics.

Micro LED’s outstanding features of high brightness and high contrast, accompanied by high-transmittance patterned optical coating, prevent data interference on the display screen and satisfy wide-ranging smart automotive and home decoration applications.

With many years of experience in flexible panel design and manufacturing, AUO builds a 2K resolution with 202 ppi and 40mm radius 14.6-inch rollable Micro LED display panel, and a cutting-edge smart knob which features world’s highest^(*) 141 ppi resolution stretchable touch screen Micro LED panel. These Micro LED display technologies largely increase the flexibility of the in-vehicle space by exhibiting that both control knob and high quality display can be immersively hidden into cockpit when not using.

The 17.3-inch transparent Micro LED display module reaches a resolution of 1280 x 720 with over 60% transparency and peak luminance of 2000 nits. Featuring small illumination areas, high brightness, high colour saturation, high transparency, and high LED reliability, the transparent Micro LED display boasts no information shielding under any circumstance and can be used as a car window display so that drivers will not miss out any important information while checking out the sceneries outside the window.

Further, Micro LED features unrestricted assembly. AUO is currently showcasing its assembled TV wall applications as a breakthrough from current TV frames to build a personal home theatre with bright, fully saturated colours and clear, streamlined image quality.

Complete mini LED ecosystem for large-size AmLED Automotive display

The large 30-inch front-seat AmLED display, embedded with the industry-leading Large Touch Display Integration (LTDI) panel, realises super low reflectance through self-developed panel lamination technology. It has the advantages of a curved design, high resolution, high contrast, and wide colour gamut and can be used as a center informative display (CID) or cluster.

AUO also achieves the 5.4 mm super narrow bezel design for its 24-inch AmLED display using non-silicon Tracking Gate line in Pixel (TGP) technologies, while the 22-inch AmLED display independently installed for the front passenger seat comes with integrated switchable privacy technologies to avoid diverting the driver’s attention and ensure safe driving.

AUO collaborates with the supply chain ecosystem and leverages group resources to upgrade automotive displays for value transformation. The AmLED technology is developed with the LED ecosystem partners.

For instance, Ennostar develops customised automotive Mini LED backlights; Darwin assists with the customisation of backlight module optical design; Raydium Semiconductor supports customised IC solutions for local dimming. Combined with AUO’s proprietary display technologies, the goal is to provide integrated automotive display solutions with less power consumption, higher image resolution, and higher reliability.

Hardware/Software integrated automotive displays for upgraded future smart cockpit integration services

In addition to incorporating cutting-edge display technologies into automotive displays, AUO will showcase its integration services for future smart cockpit systems ranging from in-vehicle panel modules to system integration.

For instance, the super-size streamlined curved displays embedded with amplifiers on both sides readily transforms the cockpit into a home theatre. When the driver enters the cockpit, the hidden camera integrated in the display panel will identify the driver and display personalised info on panels. For safety and convenience, the driver can tap on the 12-inch CID to receive feedbacks via the vibration actuators and make adjustments accordingly.

Besides future vehicles, AUO is also developing a smart bike solution, by collecting and analysing bicycle information through IoT system. The consolidated bike info can be displayed on the dashboard such as cycling distance, battery status, and power assist levels. Such features can be integrated in add-on bike computers or embedded into the bicycle per se.

The Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) colour display panel and LED indicator lights give riders an intuitive control of the riding conditions even under the sunlight. To further improve riding safety, the blind spot system detects approaching vehicles from either rear side of the bike and warns the cyclist with haptic feedbacks on the handlebars in real-time. AUO smart bike solution provides a safer and smarter riding experience for cycling.

AUO has been investing in the automotive display market for a number of years and is now among the world’s top automotive display suppliers.

* Based on the available market research information as of April 20, 2022.

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