Audi is set to introduce a new OLED lighting technology they call Digital OLED which uses multi-segment OLED taillight modules that can show signs and information - or just display new lighting designs. This is not a new idea, but it is interesting to see Audi's new take on it.
The modules use 50 red OLED triangular panels that can be controlled like a dot-matrix display. Audi will showcase this new technology at the International Symposium on Automotive Lighting in September 23rd 2019.
In May 2019 Audi announced announced a "predevelopment collaboration" with OLEDWorks to advance OLED lighting technology in automotive applications. It is highly likely that Audi's new taillight technology is based on OLEDWorks panels.
Audi started developing and implementing OLED lighting back in 2012 when the company partnered with Philips to demonstrate several OLED lighting prototypes. Philips OLED unit was sold to OLEDWorks in 2015. See more about Audi's 2012 and 2013 OLED prototypes here.
In 2016 Audi launched its first automobile with OLED lighting - the 2016 TT RS which used OSRAM panels in an optional OLED rearlight module. The 2018 Audi A8 uses four small vertical OLED taillight modules on each side. The modules are provided by Hella, and we assume that the OLED lighting panels themselves were made by Osram. In April 2018, however, OSRAM announced it is pulling out of the OLED lighting market, but it will continue to support its customers until 2020.
