Denso Corporation has announced that it has invested USD 270 million in JOLED Inc, a company based in Tokyo which specializes in the development of printed organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays.
With this infusion of funds from Denso, JOLED will be able to expedite the development and mass production of in-vehicle OLED displays, which are key components of human-machine interfaces (HMIs). These HMIs are used in car cockpits for giving drivers access to key driving information in a quick and accurate fashion and their use will become increasingly widespread with the advent of automated vehicles.
While conventional HMIs use thin-film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCDs), JOLED makes OLED displays which offer higher-definition images and more striking colors. These displays are lighter, thinner and are more flexible making them easier to install. They also produce more optimized light output for better HMI functionality.
Commenting on the deal, Hirotsugu Takeuchi, executive director of DENSO said that DENSO’s investment in JOLED will give a fillip to the advancement of human-machine interfaces technologies which play a key role in keeping drivers informed behind the wheel. He went on to add that working with JOLED will help Denso to create a new mobility future that is more efficient, safer and involves the smart application of problem-solving innovations to the real world.
With more cars having connectivity features, it is possible for drivers to get more information and enhance their safety on the road. This will drive greater demand for HMIs that have the capability to display information in a manner that is more visually appealing, larger, and is in a format that is easier to understand while providing minimal distraction to drivers. OLED displays will enable these characteristics and will continue to gain in popularity as motorists seek HMIs which can provide better visibility, more dynamic design and increased operational efficiencies.
JOLED was the first company in the world to commercialize printed OLED displays. The company’s OLED printing method is simpler and more efficient than conventional techniques. As an outcome of this investment, DENSO will be able to combine its expertise regarding HMIs with JOLED’s OLED printing. This is expected to speed up the development and mass production of various types of OLED displays for instrument clusters, center-stack displays, and other devices, and thus contribute to the development of more attractive and convenient cockpits.
Denso says it will continue to promote the development of its HMI technologies, which will be integral for the development of the advanced vehicles of the future with the goal of making cockpits that streamline interaction
between human and machine to create a society free from road traffic accidents.
JOLED Inc was established in January 2015 and combined the OLED display development divisions of both Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. The company has facilities in Ishikawa, Kyoto, and the Atsugi Technology Development Center for conducting research, development, manufacturing, and sales activities for OLED displays, their parts, materials, manufacturing equipment, and associated products.
