Advanced Technologies for the Future of Automotive Displays, Cameras, and Safety Systems

Last updated Nov 27, 2024

The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation as it embraces innovative technologies to meet the growing demand for safer, smarter, and more sustainable vehicles. From advanced displays and cameras to sensing systems that enhance driver awareness and comfort, these innovations are reshaping the automotive landscape. This article explores the latest trends in automotive technology, focusing on how displays, cameras, and safety systems are evolving to meet the needs of the future.

Next-Generation Automotive Displays

As vehicles become more connected and autonomous, the demand for sophisticated display technologies continues to rise. Modern displays are no longer just instruments for showing speed or fuel levels; they are becoming the central interface for drivers, passengers, and the car itself. The following trends are driving the evolution of automotive displays:

See-Through Displays: Large-sized screens are now being developed using long-size mother glass, making it possible to create seamless, wide displays that enhance driver visibility without obstructing the view. In-cell touch panels (TP) with 8K resolution are being used for dashboard displays over 20 inches, delivering exceptional clarity and a premium user experience.
Curved and Freeform Displays: These displays are designed to fit the contours of the vehicle’s interior, offering a more ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing experience. Curved displays can be used for digital dashboards, heads-up displays (HUD), and infotainment systems, ensuring that information is easily accessible to both drivers and passengers.
Mini-LED and nanoLED Technology: New lighting technologies like mini-LED and nanoLED are improving the brightness, contrast, and color accuracy of automotive displays. With high brightness, wide color gamut, and low power consumption, these displays ensure readability even in direct sunlight while maintaining energy efficiency.
Reflective and Transflective Displays: These displays are particularly beneficial for outdoor applications, as they are sunlight-readable and consume minimal power—typically under 5W for color displays and even less for monochrome. This makes them ideal for integration with solar panels, reducing overall energy consumption in electric and hybrid vehicles.
High-Value Features:
- Switchable Privacy Displays: These displays allow drivers and passengers to toggle between public and private viewing modes, adding an extra layer of security.
- Dual-View Displays: Designed to show different content from various viewing angles, these displays offer a unique and personalized infotainment experience.
- Pressure-Sensitive Displays: Advanced touch interfaces can now recognize different levels of pressure, allowing for more intuitive and responsive interactions.

As the shift toward autonomous driving continues, displays will play a critical role in providing real-time information, navigation support, and entertainment, all while maintaining a focus on driver safety.

Automotive Camera Systems: Viewing, Monitoring, and Sensing

Cameras have become essential to the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies. High-resolution cameras are now used for a variety of applications, from monitoring the vehicle’s surroundings to analyzing driver behavior. Here are the latest trends in automotive camera technology:

Viewing Cameras for Surround and Rear-View Monitoring

High-Resolution Rear and Surround View Cameras:
- These cameras now offer resolutions ranging from VGA (672×492) to 1MP (1280×720), providing clearer and more detailed images of the vehicle’s surroundings.
- Compact camera designs have been achieved by replacing analog signals with digital, reducing the overall size and integrating the camera more seamlessly into the vehicle.
Cameras for Electronic Mirrors (e-Mirrors):
- With traditional optical mirrors being replaced by electronic systems, compact camera modules are now used to capture rear and side views. These cameras, often in 21mm square form factors, integrate multiple components like CIS, ISP, and SER into a single module, enhancing visibility and safety.

Monitoring and Sensing Cameras for Driver and Occupant Safety

Driver and Occupant Monitoring Cameras (DMC/OMC):
- Equipped with RGB-IR sensors, these cameras provide real-time monitoring of both the driver and passengers. The RGB-IR sensing allows for daylight visibility as well as night vision capabilities, ensuring that the driver is monitored even in low-light conditions, such as in tunnels or at night.
- By capturing both RGB for daytime conditions and IR for night, these systems ensure comprehensive monitoring, improving overall vehicle safety.
Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) with AI:
- Cameras integrated with AI-driven ECUs (Electronic Control Units) are being used to detect driver fatigue, distraction, and even impairment. By continuously analyzing the driver’s facial expressions, gaze, and head movements, these systems can trigger safety mechanisms such as alerts or auto-braking to prevent accidents.

Camera-Integrated Displays for Improved Safety

The concept of camera-integrated displays is gaining traction in the automotive sector. Displays with embedded cameras monitor the driver without being intrusive, constantly capturing data to ensure safe driving practices. These displays are ideal for applications like e-Mirrors, where cameras capture real-time video and display it on an interior screen, eliminating the need for traditional mirrors and enhancing visibility.

Plasmacluster and Air Purification Technology

In addition to visual and sensing technologies, air purification systems are also becoming an integral part of modern vehicle design. Air quality within the cabin directly impacts the driver’s and passengers’ alertness and comfort, which is why technologies that enhance air quality are crucial.

Improving Driver Awareness and Judgment: Advanced air purification technologies help maintain the driver’s concentration, especially on long journeys. By reducing pollutants and allergens inside the cabin, these systems create a healthier environment, which in turn improves overall driver performance and reduces fatigue.

The Future of Automotive Technologies: A Comprehensive Approach

As the automotive industry moves towards greater levels of automation and connectivity, the role of displays, cameras, and safety systems is becoming more central to the driving experience. These technologies are not only enhancing visibility and safety, but they are also reducing energy consumption and improving overall vehicle efficiency.

Key Trends Driving the Future of Automotive Technology:

Increased Use of Advanced Displays: Displays will become larger, more flexible, and more integrated into the vehicle’s design. Energy-efficient technologies such as reflective and transflective displays will play a crucial role in reducing power consumption, especially in electric and hybrid vehicles.
Cameras for Autonomous Driving: The integration of high-resolution cameras with AI-driven monitoring systems will enable more precise and reliable autonomous driving features, making roads safer for everyone.
AI and Sensing Technologies: AI will continue to play a significant role in processing the data captured by cameras and sensors, making real-time decisions that enhance driver safety and comfort.

In conclusion, the future of automotive technology lies in seamless integration of displays, cameras, sensors, and smart systems that enhance both the driving experience and vehicle safety. As automakers continue to innovate, these advancements will become integral to the design and function of next-generation vehicles, leading to a safer, more efficient, and more connected automotive world.

Article by

Abhay Kataria,
Head-North & West,
Sharp Singapore Electronics Corporation Pte Ltd