Xiaomi Smart Cockpit accelerates the popularization of Mini LED automotive applications

This year, Xiaomi cars were sold out immediately upon launch, and their smart cockpits were widely discussed. According to the Xiaomi Auto Technology Conference last year, the design of its smart cockpit uses a 16.1-inch 3K ultra-clear central control screen (Mini LED), a 56-inch HUD, a 7.1-inch flip instrument screen, and two rear expansion screens. It is reported that its ultra-clear central control screen is 16.1 inches, with 3K resolution, using Mini LED technology and 1024-level dynamic dimming. The supplier is TCL CSOT. The 56-inch HUD and 7.1-inch flip instrument screen are from BOE and Tianma respectively.

XIAOMI SU7 five-screen smooth interconnection (Source © Xiaomi Auto official website)

With the continuous development of display technology and people’s continuous pursuit of driving experience, in-car displays are gradually evolving towards large-screen and multi-screen displays. Especially as new energy vehicle products become more popular year by year and smart cockpit applications continue to develop, new display technologies are rapidly being applied in the field of vehicle displays. According to incomplete statistics, many well-known automobile manufacturers such as Ideal, Lincoln, NIO, Roewe, Cadillac, and Xiaomi have applied Mini LED technology. Starting from 2023, Mini LED display products will officially enter the acceleration stage.

Display technology promotes the continuous upgrading of vehicle screens

The main performance requirements of vehicle screens include high brightness, long life, fast response, and operating temperatureThe degree interval is large. The current mainstream technology routes for vehicle screens mainly include: LCD technology, OLED technology, Mini LED technology, and Micro LED technology.

Comparison of vehicle display technology:

LCD -------- Brightness Low - Cost Low - Lifespan Low - Contrast 5000:1 ---- Flexible Not Flexible - Viewing Angle 160℃ - Technology Mature;

OLED ------ Brightness Medium - Cost Medium - Lifetime Medium - Contrast 1000000:1 - Flexible Flexible --Viewing angle 180℃ -Technology mature;

MiniLED --- Brightness High - Cost High - Lifespan High - Contrast 100000:1 - Flexible Not bendable - Viewing angle 180℃ - Technology Achievable;

MicroLED -- Brightness High - Cost High - Lifespan High - Contrast 1000000:1 - Flexible Flexible - Viewing Angle 180℃ - technology is immature;

Mini LED is gradually becoming the preferred solution for automotive displays

Compared with the consumer market, automotive cockpit displays have higher requirements. First of all, product reliability requirements are higher and a longer product testing cycle is required. At the same time, cars are more affected by natural light, so they have higher requirements for screen brightness and control. After early technical and product research, in-vehicle Mini LED screens will officially enter the explosive period in 2023.

Chart source: Experts say Display

From the perspective of product form, the current Mini LED screens in the cockpit are still mainly LCD screens. This method does not change the basic structure of the traditional LCD screen backlight module + liquid crystal display. It mainly reduces the size of the backlight LED chip, thereby bringing outstanding advantages such as high contrast, high brightness, high color reproduction, high dynamic range, high-speed response, low power consumption and long life. At the same time, LCD screens equipped with Mini LED backlight are thinner and lighter, making them easier to deploy.

Compared with OLED, Mini LED backlight screens are not only cheaper and have longer lifespan, but also have more and more Mini LED backlight partitions, and their performance in dark details, light control effects, and black levels are gradually approaching those of OLED. With the above advantages, Mini LED backlight has broad application prospects in the field of automotive display. Whether it is the instrument panel, center console, navigation display, or car window interactiveThe dynamic display can be completely improved, bringing richer visual enjoyment to drivers and passengers.

Chart source: Experts say Display

According to government work report data, my country's new energy vehicle production and sales will account for more than 60% of the world's total in 2023. Since the first car was born in France in 1769, foreign car companies have exercised a full monopoly on the automobile market in the past two hundred years. In recent years, the development of domestic new energy vehicles has also brought new opportunities to domestic parts and components, including LED light sources.

With the launch of automotive products and the development of new energy vehicles in my country, LED light sources have also been market-proven and technologically improved, which has also provided companies with the confidence to accelerate their investment and layout in vehicle displays.

Advantages of Mini LED smart cockpit in different application scenarios

Instrument panel

Traditional instrument panels are difficult to see specific information under strong light conditions. Mini LED has the advantage of ultra-high brightness and can easily achieve high brightness of more than 1000nit, helping instrument panels overcome the problem of strong light display. It is reported that luxury cars such as BYD and U8 have begun to adopt this solution.

Central control screen

At present, the control functions of most car smart cockpits are in the central control screen area. With the help of Mini LED's partitioned light control and high-brightness performance, excellent display effects can be guaranteed., while also being able to save energy.

Passenger screen

Entertainment function screens have high image quality requirements. Currently, the options available to solution providers are concentrated on OLED and Mini LED. Compared with the cost and life issues of OLED, Mini LED has obvious advantages.

Streaming media rearview mirror

Through the combination of camera and screen, the mirror surface of the interior rearview mirror is directly transformed from a simple reflector into a display screen. In addition to the requirements for image quality and brightness, this application also needs to meet customization needs. The sizes of various car companies vary greatly. In addition to Mini LED backlight products, Mini LED direct display products will have great opportunities as costs decrease.

Judging from the development trend of large-screen and multi-screen smart cockpits, the application scenarios of Mini LED are far more than this. Judging from the current status of mass production, Mini LED backlight products have established a firm foothold in smart cockpit applications and will gradually increase in volume in the future. GGII predicts that shipments of automotive Mini LED backlight displays will exceed the 1 million mark in 2025.