CAMBRIDGE, UK – Electric vehicles and autonomy are expected to drive the printed electronics automotive market to $12.7 billion by 2031, according to IDTechEx.

Technological transitions toward electric vehicles and increased autonomy are occurring simultaneously, says the firm. This creates opportunities for printed/flexible electronics. For example, the ability to make electronics on thin, flexible substrates enables weight reduction. Furthermore, the conformality associated with flexible electronics is suited to emerging automotive interior design trends with organic curves replacing flat surfaces.

Multiple countries say sales of gas-fueled cars will be illegal in the 2030s. It is desirable for EV batteries to work as efficiently as possible to increase vehicle range for a given weight. However, battery capacity is dependent on temperature. This creates an opportunity for printed arrays of temperature sensors to provide local monitoring and for printed heaters to be integrated within the same functional film.

Vehicles across the price range now contain sophisticated advanced driver assistance systems. Over time, the level of autonomy will increase, with full level five autonomy expected in some vehicles within a decade. This creates opportunities for multiple sensor technologies and associated features such as transparent heaters, integrated antennas, and low-res flexible displays for the exterior to interact with pedestrians.

Car manufacturers are increasingly turning to interior design and features to differentiate their products. Given their lightweight and conformable nature, this transition means interior applications could provide the greatest automotive opportunity for printed/flexible electronics. This trend is already being seen with the rapidly increasing adoption of displays, which is set to continue and extend to curved and flexible displays.

Human machine interface technologies, or pressure or touch sensors, are especially promising, says IDTechEx. Already used in seat occupancy sensors, printed pressure sensors are likely to find their way into control panels to provide a wider range of inputs than purely capacitive touch sensors without the expense of mechanical switches.

Many of these touch sensors are likely to be produced via in-mold electronics. By combining the electronics with the thermoformed plastic, it enables integrated systems such as center consoles and overhead control panels to be lighter, simpler, and easier to manufacture. IDTechEx forecasts IME to be an approximately $1.3 billion market by 2031.

Other opportunities for printed/flexible electronics within vehicle interiors include printed heaters, which enable heaters to be incorporated within touchpoints. This is more efficient than space heating through the ventilation system and more responsive.

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