The innovation presented in the Audi Q6 e-tron will completely change automotive lighting design and car-to-X communication: The Q6 e-tron takes light design, range of functions and road safety to a new level with its second generation digital OLED backlight assembly. Audi is gradually developing technology towards smart displays that can communicate with other road users by displaying information over exterior lights. This is a new communication lighting. The active digital light signature is another world debut with the Audi Q6 e-tron. It offers a completely new and lively visual feast. It also shines a light on the future of Audi lighting technology. With the new evolution of digital daytime running lights in Matrix LED headlights and next-generation digital OLED taillights, customers can optionally choose their own digital light signature for the first time. In addition, customers can order digital light signatures upon request.
The Q6 e-tron not only symbolizes a new era in electric mobility at Audi, it also zamAt the same time, it also forms an important part of Audi DNA with its lighting technology. With the world's first active digital light signature, the Audi Q6 e-tron is unique to Audi, the same zamIt is starting a new era with original design and aesthetics.
Second-generation digital OLED technology shapes the look of new Audi models and expands the range of functions many times over. Thus, the digital OLED backlight group becomes an impressive communication element, while at the same time zamIt also increases road safety. Q6 e-tron same zamIt also sets new standards in personalization. Redesigned daytime running lights with Matrix LED headlights and digital OLED taillight group 2.0 offer a total of eight optional digital light signature selections. Thus, customers who can design the appearance of their Q6 e-tron themselves can also purchase digital light signatures after purchasing their car.
Signature and movement meet for the first time: Active digital light signature
The headlights and rear lighting group transform the Q6 e-tron model into a living structure that interacts with its environment. It is enough for customers to imagine the active digital light signature, which is a first in the world. This functionality is available as part of the optional digital light signatures package. Head of Lighting Design, César Muntada, who said that Audi Q6 e-tron presented a model for designing both the shape and movement of the headlights for the first time, said, “Thanks to the perfect symbiosis between the lighting design and the new technology, the new Audi Q6 e-tron headlights are zamHe looks more alive and smarter than he does now. We provided a unique personality in the light signature and a special aesthetic for the digital world at the same time. With the world's first active digital light signature, the Q6 e-tron ushers in a new era of authentic design and aesthetics exclusive to Audi.” said.
This light signature is made possible by a software module jointly developed by Audi and the group's software company CARIAD and located in the corresponding processor of the Audi Q6 e-tron. In the second generation digital OLED backlight group, six 360-segment OLED panels create a new image every ten milliseconds using a specially developed algorithm. This algorithm ensures that the active digital light signature makes the brain activity of the Q6 e-tron instantly visible, showing the car's vitality and ability for personal interaction. The active digital light signature on the front is formed through the interaction of the algorithm with the 12 dimmable segments, while on the rear fully digital OLED segments come into play. The individual light segments interact in a way that does not alter the light intensity of the overall image of the light signature.
Second generation digital OLED technology
Audi introduced a new lighting technology to the automotive industry with Digital OLED technology 2016 in the TT RS in 1.0. Organic LED, namely OLED, was used for the first time for the backlight group. OLED elements are semiconductor-based surface light sources that produce light with excellent homogeneity and high contrast values. Same zamThe brightness can also be adjusted at the same time. Apart from that, the shape of the OLED lighting is freely configurable. It can also be divided into replaceable sections. Dynamic lighting scenarios in OLED backlights were also showcased with the Audi TT RS.
Audi Q5 customers were able to choose an individual taillight signature for the first time in 2020 thanks to the digital OLED backlight group. Thus, Audi became the first automotive manufacturer to digitally change the backlight signature. The change was entirely based on the key features of OLEDs: high contrast, switchable regional segmentation, high light uniformity, and the ability to arrange segments very closely. Audi remains the only automaker to offer this evolution of technology.
In 2022 this solution becomes standard with the Audi A8 with digital OLED taillights. The car's bus system provided the ability to separately control each rear light panel and each OLED segment via software. A8 customers can choose from three backlight signatures via MMI. Even the S8 has four options.
Stating that Audi realized early on the potential to use OLED technology in the rear lighting group and has continued to develop and digitize it systematically as the only automaker to do so since then, Head of Lighting Development Stephan Berlitz said: zamWe are now able to offer new lighting functions. Digital OLEDs are more efficient, lighter and more homogeneous than conventional lighting systems.” said. Berlitz: “Because of their strong contrast, they gradually transform into exterior displays, making them an important element of communicating with the car's surroundings. With the proximity indicator functionality, we have been using the light to interact with other road users since 2020. The Audi Q6 e-tron adds the communication light to further improve road safety.” provided information.
Second generation digital OLED backlight group in detail
With the new generation digital OLEDs in the rear lighting group of the Audi Q6 e-tron, Audi; above all it improves road safety, the same zamAt the same time, it significantly expands the range of functions and design freedom. For the first time, it is able to communicate specifically with the immediate environment in the form of car-to-X communication with the digital OLED backlight assembly. The number of segments per digital OLED panel has increased from six to 60 compared to the first generation. Six OLED panels with a total of 6 segments are used in the backlight group of the Q360 e-tron. The new E3 electronic architecture makes it possible to control the significantly increased number of segments with a software module in one of the processors. The steady increase in the number of segments per digital OLED panel will make it possible in the future to transform the rear of the car into a display that further improves inter-car communication and road safety.
Innovative digital OLED technology offers the conditions for a completely new backlight design with unmatched homogeneity and very high contrast level. It also provides other advantages. For example, surface light sources do not require additional reflectors, light guides or optics. This makes them very efficient. All these features allow Audi engineers and designers to capture designs between two and three dimensions. In other words, the four-ring brand creates three-dimensional shapes on two-dimensional surfaces. In addition to the integrated LED light strip at the rear, the 3-D glass successfully separates the backlight signature from other lighting functions.
Audi is also renewing the front of the car. The new generation digital daytime running lights and light modules are visually different and provide more design clarity. In this new evolution of digital daytime running lights, the designers have designed individual LEDs as transparent 3D objects, for a total of 70. The front part of the digital daytime running lights has a delicate prismatic structure. In addition, a metallized 3D ornament surrounds them to bring the focus to the car's digital eyes.
Enhanced safety with smart headlights and rear lighting group
Audi has also taken the car's safety features to a new level. The proximity indicator, already used on other Audi models, has evolved to include a communication light on the new Q6 e-tron. The solution integrated into the digital OLED backlight suite, warns other road users of accidents and breakdowns by displaying a specific static backlight pattern with warning symbols and normal backlight graphic in critical road conditions. Thus, the assistance system helps Audi drivers and all other road users. In addition, the second generation digital OLED backlight group; Emergency assistance activates communication lighting with warning symbols for RECAS (rear collision warning signal), Hazard warning flashers, emergency calls (eCall), roadside assistance calls (bCall) and emergency brake lights.
Communication lighting also adds an extra dimension to the exit warning function. Previously, for example, when another car or bicycle was approaching, it only informed passengers when getting out of the vehicle. But now, a special light signature in the rear light graphic also warns the cyclist or driver approaching from behind. The Audi Q6 e-tron thus extends the safety concept to include other road users and increases road safety for all.
Finally, the communication lighting uses a special light signature front and rear to indicate the vehicle's parking assist status when the vehicle is in automated parking mode. This clearly indicates to road users in the immediate vicinity that the vehicle is safe to approach.
A new level of freedom: Digital light signatures
The Q6 e-tron offers a new level of freedom in customization, with up to eight digital light signatures for the headlights and taillight assembly. Six additional signatures with the Welcome/Take me home lighting scenario and corresponding digital light signature are available via optional add-on packages.
If users desire even more customization for the Q6 e-tron, they can also order the LED headlights plus/Matrix LED headlights and digital light signatures package for the digital OLED rear light assembly after purchasing their car using optional functions. Customers can purchase features permanently or for a limited period of time. This flexibility allows Audi customers to design their Q6 e-tron with up to eight digital light signatures (only with digital OLED taillight assembly and LED headlights plus/Matrix LED headlights) to suit their personal preferences. Apart from that, if they wish, they can also buy the high beam support and the Matrix package.