#United States #Rochester #Marelli #OLEDWOrks #Audi Q6

OLEDWorks and Marelli Win the 2025 PACE Award

In an exciting ceremony held on April 15, 2025, OLEDWorks, recognized as a leading name in high-performance OLED lighting technology, proudly announced its collaboration with Marelli in receiving the renowned 2025 PACE Award from Automotive News. This accolade was granted in recognition of the revolutionary digital OLED 2.0 rear lights integrated into the Audi Q6 e-tron.

The PACE Award is highly esteemed within the automotive industry, celebrating unparalleled innovation, technological advancements, and superior business performance among suppliers. The digital OLED 2.0 technology significantly enhances the vehicle's functionality and customization options, catering to the fast-evolving needs of the automotive sector.

During the award presentation, both David DeJoy, CEO of OLEDWorks, and Steve Muench, Head of Marelli's Lighting Business in North America, received the award on behalf of their dedicated teams. The Q6 e-tron, being a flagship model for Audi, showcases this breakthrough technology in a commercially available product, marking it as a pivotal moment for the automotive lighting industry.

Innovation at Its Core

The primary feature of the digital OLED 2.0 taillamp is its ability to deliver significant improvements in communication and design. By implementing the world-first 60-segment digital OLED panels designed by OLEDWorks, combined with Marelli's sophisticated electronic architecture, Audi's vision of a next-gen lighting experience comes to life in the Q6 e-tron.

These digital OLED lights not only enhance aesthetics but also increase safety through advanced Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication. This system uses swarm data to alert other road users about potential accidents or vehicle breakdowns, thus bolstering road safety. The innovation highlights a modern shift towards intelligent vehicle communication in real-time scenarios, keeping drivers informed and safer on the roads.

David DeJoy remarked, "This recognition from Automotive News underscores the power of innovation when driven by collaboration. We are proud to innovate and push the envelope of what OLED technology can achieve, not only in visual performance but in enhancing vehicle communication and driver interaction."

Features of Digital OLED 2.0

One of the most significant upgrades in the digital OLED 2.0 is its multi-segment control capability. Previously limited to 10 segments, the new OLED technology allows for a staggering 60 controllable segments per panel, greatly expanding design possibilities and unique features.

1. 360 Controllable Segments: This allows the Q6 e-tron to showcase the world’s first active digital light signature that changes in motion, providing both visual appeal and functionality.
2. Personalization: Audi Q6 e-tron users can now choose from eight distinct digital rear light signatures via the MMI interface or, for the first time, through the myAudi app.
3. Enhanced Communication: The new design integrates warning symbols and visual cues directly into the rear lighting system, progressing the interaction between the vehicle and its environment.

The transition from a traditional multi-ECU setup to a unified electronic control system employing a CAN-FD bus improves versatility in design while maintaining energy efficiency. The result is a lighting platform that allows for creative expression and customization without compromising performance metrics.

A Testament to Teamwork

Frank Huber, President of Marelli's Automotive Lighting and Sensing division, expressed gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition. "This PACE Award represents not only an achievement for Marelli but a significant milestone that emphasizes how our collective expertise can transform automotive designs. It's about enhancing road safety and providing customers the chance to personalize their vehicles uniquely."

In conclusion, the 2025 PACE Award underscores the importance of innovation in the automotive sector, particularly through collaborative efforts such as those between OLEDWorks, Marelli, and Audi. The Q6 e-tron serves as a benchmark for the future of vehicle lighting, making it safer, more dynamic, and personalized.

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About OLEDWorks

OLEDWorks has positioned itself as a global leader in the OLED technology realm since its inception in 2010. Headquartered in Rochester, NY, with a manufacturing facility in Aachen, Germany, the company's focus remains on delivering high-quality, sustainable OLED solutions that push the boundaries of existing technology in the automotive sphere.

About Marelli

Marelli is a prominent player in automotive technology, offering innovative solutions across various segments of mobility. With a workforce of about 45,000 employees globally, Marelli aims to revolutionize the future of mobility through safety, efficiency, and connectivity in the automotive landscape.