Increasingly, automobiles are providing larger and more displays to keep drivers informed of dynamic roadway conditions. Multiple factors determine what technology is best for a given application.
Overview
Touchscreens are no longer a premium option for many OEMs and auto models. At first, they supplanted center console controls and radio. Now they replace analog instruments, provide real-time monitoring of blind spots, identify hazards and location - and also keep the kids quiet in the backset.
A bright environment means displays must be high contrast, to ensure they are readable in changing sun and shadows. They must also be dimmable, so as to not dazzle drivers at night. An extreme environment creates vibration, temperature and dust and debris challenges. At some point, the display may need to be upgraded, or service life becomes a concern. Finally, bill of materials is always an important consideration for OEMs.
TFT LCD displays have been an industry mainstay, yet an increasing number of OEMs are integrating, and consumers are expecting, OLED displays. And there are additional technologies under development that could lead to higher performance LCDs, or flexible, curved and custom displays.
This roundtable discussion will expose the past, present and likely futures for automotive display systems.
Speakers
Edgar Sotter is a senior director of new product technology in the CSA Group. His team looks to the technology horizon for new developments and applications that could present opportunities for CSA's Test, Inspection and Certification business.
Prior to joining CSA, Edgar worked as senior director, product strategies & client solutions at Systems with Intelligence Inc. (SWI), a manufacturer of monitoring products for the electrical sector.
Edgar has 20 years of combined academic, technical and business experience. He has a Ph.D in electronic engineering from Universidad Rovira I Virgili (Spain), an executive MBA from the University of Toronto (Canada) and a bachelor's of science in electronic engineering from Universidad del Norte (Colombia).
Nithin Narayanan is senior manager of Murata's Mobility Solution Business Development group. This team is responsible for delivering sensing and connectivity module solutions such as inertial, proximity, thermal, IVI and V2X for automotive and emerging mobility applications. He has more than 10 years of experience working with several leading automotive OEMs and Tier 1s on safety critical applications. Nithin also led the engagement with several mobility players on sensor integration in autonomous driving, ADAS, and perception systems.
Els graduated as an automotive engineer in 1983 and gained automotive engineering experience working for prominent OEMs and first tier suppliers in South Africa. This includes time with Nissan South Africa's Product Development Division, Daimler Chrysler, Toyota, Fiat/ Alfa Romeo, Beijing Automotive Works (BAW), as well as tier-one suppliers Robert Bosch and Pi Shurlok.
After consulting to the local industry for 15 years, Els has ventured into technical writing and journalism about the latest trends, technologies, opportunities and threats facing the new world of mobility. He has analyzed and reported on nascent global automotive technologies and trends for over 10 years, with dozens of articles and reports being published and cited on platforms aimed at automotive professionals, businesses, and savvy car enthusiasts.
Until 2020, Sutton worked as an independent and freelance consultant for a variety of automotive OEMs. This includes time as a software systems engineer for Bosch UK, working on ADAS for the Landrover Defender. He has more than 20 years of professional experience between Lotus, Jaguar, Bentley, Caterpillar Electronics, Rolls-Royce, Landrover, Ford and Bosch. He is currently studying for his master's of science in AI, with the goal of utilizing AI in ADAS.