This September at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, Audi will present its new matrix OLED headlights in a concept car. The identity and specifications of the latter remain unknown, however.
In each OLED unit, Audi explains, two electrodes – at least one of which must be transparent – incorporate numerous thin layers of organic semiconductor materials. A low DC voltage (between 3-4V) activates the layers, each of which is less than one thousandth of a millimetre thick, to light them. The colour is based on the molecular composition of the light source.
These matrix OLED headlights will open up further creative opportunities for Audi designers. Since the materials are flexible, they will lend themselves to three dimensional forming.
There has been plenty of progress in OLED technology in recent years, in large part thanks to the German automaker. As soon as further increases in light density are realized, OLEDs will soon be able to generate turn signal and brake lights, too.
In the future, plastic films will replace the thin glass sheets that are used today to encase the organic material. What’s more, OLEDs can be subdivided into small segments that can be controlled at different brightness levels.
Don’t miss our coverage of the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show in September to learn more about Audi’s OLED headlights and find out which concept car they appear on.