Challenge
This challenge addresses the needs described below:
- How to design flexible printed electronics to be integrated into a decorated automotive plastic part with multiple functionalities?
- How to transform conventional rigid electronic technology into flexible electronic technology?
- How can electronics be integrated into MAIER's plastic injection process?
- How to provide a good balance between weight, space and cost for automotive components?
Background
The electronic revolution is bringing about an abrupt change in the automotive sector. The evolution and miniaturisation of electronic systems has meant that vehicle design has changed significantly since the 1970s, when the electronics in a vehicle were limited to the radio equipment, to today's vehicle in which electronic components are essential (drive systems, safety, detection) and represent 35% of the final price of the vehicle. In addition, technological advances in electronics will shape and may even influence future vehicle designs and will undoubtedly lead to an evolution in the overall concept of vehicles. Thus, it is forecast that new developments and technologies will lead to the cost of integrated advanced electronic functionalities with respect to the total cost of the car reaching almost 50% of the final price of the vehicle by 2030.
These expectations are based on the market potential of four distinct lines:
- Infotainment: vehicles are increasingly incorporating technologies related to interactive entertainment; functions such as video playback, mobile phone connectivity and interaction, Wi-Fi connections, etc.
- Performance, fuel consumption and environmental sustainability: this line is more oriented towards mechanics and the engine, such as engine control modules and start-stop functions, without forgetting the developments being made in hybrid and electric vehicles.
- Active and passive safety: solutions such as air-bag systems, automatic emergency connection in the event of collision, electronic traction control, electronic stability control, etc.
- Aesthetics and comfort: although solutions have been implemented along these lines, such as climate controls and noise cancellation, this is an area yet to be explored and will be an important differentiating factor for the next generation of consumers. In this sense, different OEMs have defined this line as a key trend for the future. Thus, they are focusing their attention on concepts that bring aesthetics and comfort to their vehicles. The vehicle's interior lighting concept stands out in this respect.
Within this last line, one of the technologies with the greatest potential is the evolution towards new concepts of ambient lighting inside the vehicle, in addition to traditional functional lighting. As an example, it is worth noting that, in recent years, some manufacturers are starting to offer, in very limited series, interior ambient lighting as an additional feature of the vehicle.
Interior ambient lighting is generally considered to be a purely aesthetic feature, which does not serve any inherent safety function of the vehicle. However, according to a study carried out by BMW and the Lighting Engineering Group of the Ilmenau University of Technology in Germany, interior ambient lighting has the potential to enhance the safety of users. In addition, the study demonstrated how interior ambient lighting can increase spatial perception, making the vehicle interior appear larger at night. Similarly, according to the study, interior ambient lighting can also reduce fatigue when driving a vehicle equipped with lighting at night. And also, according to the study, vehicle users believe that ambient lighting in the vehicle interior increases the perceived quality of the materials and the design of the car itself.
In fact, there are several specialised departments in reference centres (such as the Fraunhofer IAO) that analyse its potential use to improve the travel experience by means of colours as a stimulus for drivers and passengers, lighting systems that prevent dizziness and indisposition during journeys, or its potential use in autonomous vehicles as a means of interacting with the user to warn of dangers or the need to take control of the steering wheel again. In this way, it is expected that the future of vehicle interiors will be one of complete interaction between the user and the vehicle by means of a smart ambient lighting system that accompanies the vehicle user and can adapt to different situations.
In short, advanced ambient lighting electronics will allow for greater integration in the way the user interacts with the vehicle, not to mention providing an aesthetic effect in the vehicle's interior.
Therefore, the design of interior ambient lighting is becoming increasingly important, both from the point of view of aesthetics and vehicle user comfort.
As a clear symptom of this trend, it should be noted that concept cars from the market's leading OEMs already feature such ambient lighting systems.
1. Description of the challenge (PDF)