The International Auto Show (IAA) in Frankfurt will witness some pretty fancy and innovative lighting as Audi presents its next step in automotive lighting technology. The new Matrix OLED lights enable a previously unattainable level of lighting homogeneity, opening up further creative opportunities for design.
As the leading brand in automotive lighting technology, Audi has systematically developed all aspects of OLED technology over the years. Matrix OLED lights combine high‑tech engineering and design in an ideal way. Initial projects are currently underway to implement OLED technology in production of tail lights. This novel technology will be shown for the first time in a concept car at the IAA.
OLED is an English acronym for “organic light emitting diode.” In contrast to point light sources – such as LEDs – which are made of semiconductor crystals, OLEDs are flat light sources. Their light attains a new level of homogeneity, and its dimming is continuously variable. The lights do not cast any shadows and do not require any reflectors, light guides or similar optical components – and this makes the OLED units efficient and lightweight. In addition, they hardly need any cooling.
Progress in OLED technology is being made rapidly – in part due to the driving force of Audi. As soon as further increases in light density are realized, OLEDs will soon be able to generate turn signal and brake lights too. The thin glass sheets that are used today to encase the organic material will be replaced by plastic films. These new flexible substrate materials will lend themselves to three‑dimensional forming, and this will open up entirely new creative spaces for designers.