Breakthrough in OLED technology: Each pixel produces sound in this innovative display.
Next-generation OLED TVs might revolutionize not only visual displays but also audio, thanks to a groundbreaking technology called Pixel-Based Local Sound OLED. This innovation, developed by researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology, promises a new wave of sound clarity and immersion for various electronic devices.
Similar to Sony OLED TVs, Pixel-Based Local Sound OLED uses exciters that vibrate the OLED panel to generate sound. However, it takes this concept to a new level, as the exciters are scattered throughout the panel in millions—working in harmony to create a unique audio experience.
As explained in a post on the university's website, Piezo exciters, arranged pixel-like, convert electrical signals into sound vibrations without occupying external space. These miniature speakers align seamlessly with the thin form factor of OLED panels, suggesting potential expansion beyond televisions to laptops, phones, and more.
The team successfully demonstrated the technology on a 13-inch OLED panel, hinting at its scalability for everyday electronic devices. Professor Su Seok Choi from the university anticipates that this technology "will enable sleek, lightweight designs in smartphones, laptops, and automotive displays—while delivering immersive, high-fidelity audio."
Notably, the university behind this discovery has a history of pushing boundaries in display technologies, having recently published research on flexible OLED displays and LCDs. By developing this pixel-perfect sound technology, they might have set the stage for a future where soundbars could become obsolete.
While the road from prototype to mass-produced product can be long, it is intriguing to speculate on the implications for an audio landscape dominated by OLED displays boasting million-speaker arrays. If some of the major display manufacturers, like LG, Samsung, TCL, or BOE, decide to license the technology, widespread adoption in consumer devices such as TVs and smartphones could be just around the corner, albeit not in the immediate future.
Meanwhile, consumers eager to experience the technology can look forward to the imminent launch of the Sony Bravia 8 II, which features two actuators and two subwoofers. For now, traditional sound systems and soundbars stand tall, but the future of audio entertainment remains poised for innovation.
This groundbreaking technology, Pixel-Based Local Sound OLED, developed by researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology, not only utilizes science but also leverages technology, as it uses exciters to generate sound within the OLED panel, enhancing both visual displays and audio quality.
Remarkably, this innovation has the potential to reshape various electronic devices, as the team anticipates transforming sleek, lightweight designs in smartphones, laptops, and automotive displays, while delivering immersive, high-fidelity audio.
