JOLED Inc., an OLED expert and manufacturer of 4K OLED by printing technology, and AERQ GmbH, a promoter of digital transformation for aircraft cabins, announced a collaboration aiming to integrate medium-sized OLED displays in aircraft cabins.
AERQ is a joint venture between LG Electronics and Lufthansa Technik, founded in 2019 with the aim to make airlines the playmaker of their digitalised cabin experience by introducing innovative technologies to the aviation industry. AERQ provides a digital ecosystem for aircraft cabins that consists of an open IT platform, inseat system, and Cabin Digital Signage. By leveraging LG Electronics’ extensive knowledge in display technologies, AERQ is aiming to utilize especially OLED displays in aircraft cabins. AERQ has demonstrated its Welcome Board, is working on ceiling panels using large OLED displays, and has also revealed a concept for a class-divider using transparent displays – all part of AERQ’s Cabin Digital Signage.
JOLED specializes in R&D and production of medium-sized OLED displays. So far the products are being adopted to medical monitors, professional monitors and automotive displays. With a view to start shipping soon from a new mass production plant, JOLED is working to expand its display applications and exploit the aircraft cabin displays as one of the most interesting applications. In the collaboration, JOLED and AERQ will work together to deliver the benefits of OLED displays and integrate them as a new standard to the aircraft industry through presenting a variety of touchpoints utilizing medium-sized OLED displays such as Cabin Digital Signage and an inseat system.
Naoto Hikichi, Executive Officer, Head of Business Division I at JOLED explains:
JOLED display’s strength is its unique medium size, in addition to the OLED benefits such as super-thin panels, reduced weight and flexibility, wide viewing angles, enhanced colors, high resolution, and nearly infinite contrast ratios. We think the cabin display is an adapted application for OLED, because there are restrictions on installation space and weight, and the displays are viewed for a certain period of time at a relatively short distance. With the collaboration with AERQ, we look forward to the introduction of our OLED displays on aircraft as part of the state-of-the-art digital cabin system, and helping to enhance passenger cabin experience.
Sang Soo Lee, Managing Director at AERQ says:
An advanced digital ecoystem that adds new value to aircraft will help strengthen the connection between airlines and passengers. OLED displays have the potential to change the conventional concept of cabin displays, and we have been working to bring this innovative display technology on board to the aircraft in a variety of ways. By the collaboration with JOLED, we are completing our OLED line up by adding mid-sized displays from JOLED on top of our existing portfolios that are 55″ and 65″ from LG Electronics. This will enable us to stay confident that we can take the digital transformation of aircraft one step further.
About AERQ
AERQ is a joint venture between LG Electronics and Lufthansa Technik. It was founded in June 2019 and is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. With its roots in consumer electronics and aviation it uses the extensive knowledge from both parent companies to develop digital solutions for aircraft cabins.
AERQ takes the digital transformation of the aircraft cabin to a new level by turning it into spaces for new ideas and business development. AERQ enables airlines to digitalise their aircraft cabins by providing a new kind of digital ecosystem in and around the aircraft fuelled by software, hardware and data.
About JOLED
JOLED Inc. conducts research, development, manufacturing, and sales activities for OLED displays, their parts, materials, manufacturing equipment, and associated products. JOLED is the only company in the world that commercially produces 4K OLED displays by innovative printing method (as of November 2020, based on JOLED’s research).
JOLED was founded in January 2015, combining the OLED display development divisions of Sony Corporation and Panasonic Corporation, with the goal of accelerating mass production development and commercialization of OLED displays. In 2017, JOLED began shipment of its first product, the 22-inch 4K OLED display. Currently products are being shipped for medical monitor use, for professional monitor use, and so on. In November 2019, JOLED started operation of the world’s first mass production line in Nomi city, aiming to commence mass production in 2020.
About printed OLED displays
OLED is a self-illuminating device that delivers superb picture quality with high contrast, high color reproducibility, and fast response rate. It also combines advantages such as an ultra-thin profile, light weight, and flexibility. Owing to these characteristics, OLED is gaining attention as a next-generation display that will create new applications in a wide range of fields.
The printing method, which is one of the production methods for OLED display, applies and forms OLED materials by printing. With its simple production processes and the flexibility to cope with diverse screen sizes, the technology is expected to represent a major innovation in OLED display production. JOLED specializes in research and development of the printing method and was the first to achieve practical use ahead of other companies in 2017.
