Samsung Display said on the 26th that it will be the sole supplier of four organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays for Ferrari's new model, the "Ferrari Luce."
Ferrari held a "World Premiere" event in Italy on the previous day and unveiled the electric sports car "Ferrari Luce." The Luce is equipped with ▲a driver binnacle in front of the driver's seat ▲a control panel for the climate control system and media ▲a rear-seat control panel that manages the rear climate control system and shows driving information. Samsung Display will supply 12.9-inch, 12-inch, 10.1-inch, and 6.3-inch OLEDs used in three types of digital displays integrated into the Luce.
Ferrari integrated a driver binnacle, a cluster structure that includes the speedometer and driving information, into the new model. Traditionally, a needle mechanically linked to the powertrain moves to display information. However, for this new model Ferrari, in cooperation with Samsung Display, applied two OLEDs—12.9-inch and 12-inch—to the binnacle. It attracted market attention by adopting, for the first time in the industry, a multi-layered display design in which the two OLED displays overlap in three-dimensional fashion.
The 12-inch panel on the lower layer shows the basic background and the scale (index). The 12.9-inch panel overlaid on the upper layer has three circular holes to view the first-layer panel's image, and around the holes it displays real-time torque, as well as information such as pop-up messages and warning lights.
Regarding the multi-layered design, Samsung Display said, "We achieved an analog sense of realism that sets it apart from conventional 2-dimensional (D) digital displays," and added, "Based on the space between panels, the needle moves physically to offer the driver a more three-dimensional and spatial operation experience."
Samsung Display applied its "big hole" processing technology to match Ferrari's design. While the diameter of a hole for a smartphone front camera is typically within 5 mm, the holes used in the Luce's driver binnacle are about 100 mm—20 times larger. In addition to precise thin-film encapsulation (TFE) technology that blocks contact between OLED organic materials and moisture and air at the cut edges, it also had to solve issues such as signal distortion that could occur when drive signals detour around the big hole, which can otherwise reduce uniformity in image quality. Samsung Display implemented a proprietary design optimized for the characteristics of each signal, minimizing distortion and delay to deliver uniform and stable image quality.
In 2019, Samsung Display became the first in the industry to commercialize a hole display and has long applied "HIAA" (Hole in Active Area) technology, which drills holes in the active display area, accumulating related design and manufacturing know-how. Samsung Display holds more than 500 patents related to HIAA technology.
The 10.1-inch OLED is installed in the central control panel that operates the climate control system and media. HIAA technology is also applied here. The multi-graph at the top of the control panel switches modes such as clock, stopwatch, and compass to digitally display various information. Three actual mechanically operated needles are fixed through small holes drilled in the panel and rotate 360 degrees. The 6.3-inch OLED is installed in the rear-seat passenger control panel behind the center console, allowing passengers to directly check driving information and control the climate system.
Unlike conventional LCDs, OLEDs do not require a backlight and have a simpler structure, allowing for flexible design processing. Samsung Display said, "Ferrari wanted the panel to blend naturally with the module inside the binnacle," and added, "Samsung Display processed the OLED into a free form composed of multiple straight lines and curves, rather than a neat rectangle, enhancing Ferrari's design freedom."
The fact that OLEDs are thinner than liquid crystal displays (LCDs) is also cited as a reason they could effectively support Ferrari's design. Unlike LCDs, which must keep the backlight on at all times, OLEDs only light the pixels where images are displayed, which can improve the vehicle's power efficiency.
Ernesto Lasalandra, Ferrari's chief research and development head, said, "Samsung Display has perfectly supported the Ferrari Luce's design philosophy, which pursues the seamless integration of software and hardware," adding, "The next-generation display system implemented in the Ferrari Luce will deliver an unprecedented digital cockpit experience that harmonizes Ferrari's heritage with future-oriented technology."
Lee Ju-hyung, head of the small and medium-sized display business unit (executive vice president) at Samsung Display, said, "The Luce is a landmark vehicle that proves OLED's technological edge in realizing any design and showcases Samsung Display's long-standing know-how," adding, "We will continue to present diverse solutions to broaden the horizons of future vehicle design."