OLEDs, or organic light-emitting diodes, have come a long way in recent years. OLEDs are now a dominant technology in TVs and displays; many new cell phone screens are OLEDs. People cite better image quality, brightness and viewing angles along with the ability to create unique designs, even flexible displays, as key advantages of OLEDS.

Because OLED technology is self-illuminating, it requires no backlighting. This leads to lightweight, flat units, which increases design flexibility, allowing for more complex shapes and curved installation of the display.

There is also an energy-saving component to OLEDs. Because OLED technology only illuminates the required pixels instead of the entire backlight, OLEDs are sustainable and energy-saving. As a result, Continental notes that OLEDs consume much less energy than a comparable LCD screen for typical automotive content.

However, OLEDs have not made as headway as quickly in the automotive market, although there are plenty of designs out there. There are hybrid OLED-LED taillights on some Audi and BMW models, but it does take time to get approval for any new designs in the automotive segment.

With sales of €37.7 billion in 2020, Continental is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the automotive industry, among others. The news that Continental has received an approximately $1 billion order for OLED displays from a global vehicle manufacturer for a production vehicle is huge news for OLEDs. Production of the display solution is scheduled to start in 2023.

“With the OLED technology in our multi-display solution, home movie enthusiasts now also have the full experience in cars. Our OLED display once again demonstrates that we are pioneers in the  digital evolution of the cockpit,” said Dr. Frank Rabe, head of the human machine interface (HMI) business unit at Continental, in making the announcement. “The integrated OLED display ensures a first-class user experience and offers automotive manufacturers a further opportunity for differentiation and individualization.”

Alena Liebram, external communications manager, Vehicle Networking and Information for Continental, noted that Continental has been working on OLEDs with their partners for years.

“We have been working on OLED technology development together with suppliers for more than five years,” said Liebram. “The OLED display which we have announced is a multi-display that stretches from the driver’s area to the center console. It integrates two screens, which are optically bonded behind a curved glass surface.”

Liebram pointed to a number of advantages for OLED displays.

“OLEDs are superior with regards to curved applications, and support thinner product designs as they do not have a backlight. They also have superior black background and high visual quality, and OLEDs typical HMIs are beneficial with regards to power dissipation,” Liebram noted.

Continental sees a bright future ahead for OLED displays.

“As OLED is a new technology for vehicles, we generally see a high customer interest,” Liebram said.