Marelli's Innovative Passenger Display Wins at Digital Engineering Awards 2024
Marelli has recently made headlines at the Digital Engineering Awards 2024 by being recognized for its innovative Passenger Display with Privacy technology. The event took place in Dallas, Texas, and Marelli was awarded the 'Challenger' accolade in the 'Engineering Product of the Year' category, highlighting its commitment to advancing automotive technology.
This Passenger Display is a pioneering solution designed for vehicle interiors, introducing a dynamic zonal privacy feature that not only enhances user experience but also prioritizes passenger safety. The technology cleverly allows occupants to hide specific zones of the display while interacting with content, effectively minimizing potential distractions for the driver.
Marelli's approach combines leading-edge privacy software with display panels that can utilize either organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or thin-film transistor (TFT) technologies. This is the first instance where vehicle manufacturers can offer high-quality, flexible electronics for an array of passenger displays on the market.
The system comprises two vital components: the Display Panel and the Display Control Element. The Display Panel operates using either OLEDs or TFTs, while the Display Control Element acts as an active layer that can modulate the display's light characteristics. This setup allows for adjustable emission angles based on user preferences and vehicle mode — either public or private. In public mode, content is viewable from wide angles for both driver and passenger. In contrast, private mode restricts visibility to the passenger only, thus ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential.
Another advantage of Marelli’s display technology is its zoning capability, allowing users to selectively hide content without compromising the entire display, a limitation present in previous models. The innovative privacy feature can be integrated into both the EliteDisplay and ProDisplay platforms. The EliteDisplay platform targets the luxury vehicle market, utilizing standard OLED panels. This displaces traditional custom designs, making the advanced dynamic privacy feature accessible and affordable while elevating the in-car experience. On the other hand, the ProDisplay platform, which employs TFT technology, makes this privacy advantage available for a broader range of vehicles, thus reaching mid-range offerings.
Ravi Tallapragada, President of Marelli’s Electronic Systems business, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “The Digital Engineering Award is a remarkable acknowledgment of our dedication to innovation in the automotive electronics domain. Our Passenger Display with Privacy represents a significant leap forward in ensuring an enriched and secure in-vehicle experience.” He also praised his team’s relentless dedication to creating high-tech, user-focused solutions, fulfilling Marelli's goal of balancing advanced technology with user privacy.
This accolade marks Marelli's second notable achievement at the Digital Engineering Awards, following their commendable recognition for the Fully Active Electromechanical Suspension last year.
As a prominent mobility technology supplier in the automotive industry, Marelli strives to revolutionize mobility through innovation, targeting a safer, greener, and better-connected future. With a global workforce of around 50,000 and a solid infrastructure of 170 facilities and research centers across continents, Marelli’s position in the market is well-established.
In summary, Marelli's Passenger Display with Privacy signifies not just an individual achievement but a step forward in automotive technology, embedding privacy into the digital age of passenger experience on the road. The accolades at the Digital Engineering Awards affirm Marelli's role as a pioneer in automotive electronics, incorporating user-centric designs while embracing technological advancement.