German researchers show off steering wheel-mounted OLED
By Donald Melanson 
posted May 12th 2009 1:49PM
posted May 12th 2009 1:49PM
We've already seen OLED displays that promise to squeeze into a rearview mirror and other parts of a vehicle, and it looks like Germany's CARO research association has now found yet another place to stick one: right in the middle of the steering wheel. As you can see above, that would effectively replace the center emblem in the steering wheel (the gauges are just for show, apparently), which the researchers say would open up a whole host of new design possibilities for auto manufacturers -- for instance, having the center emblem light up when the door opens. They're also quick to point out that the thin nature of the OLED wouldn't affect the airbag, and power consumption would, of course, be at a minimum. As you might have guessed, however, there's no word on any automakers that have signed up just yet, although CARO does also have a new highly-readable, orange emitting OLED suitable for in-dash use for those looking to keep things a bit more conventional.
yay! this is what i really need in my car!
I wish to see this thin OLED get smashed by an airbag.
looks like i'll got punched by OLED on my face...
You should try not crashing...
If they manage to put in an OLED, can't try put it into the dash so we can make the dashboard smaller and leaving us with more leg room?!
Because having a readout that forces you to take your eyes even further from the road is such a good idea...
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it illegal in many stated to have a display of sorts mounted in the steering wheel? I realize this isn't anything like a TV screen, but good luck getting all 50 states to have their laws adjusted for this.
I doubt that they would specify it as such, you need displays on the dash for speed and such, so a law would allow for displays showing relevant info,. and a law would not specify the steeringwheel pointlessly.
Just don't expect to watch TV on it.
Wicked!
OK...I rather have this more than an airbag...I mean what's that good for anyways.
Why not just make an OLED that's in the dash that switches displays based on a thumb button on the steering wheel? You *could* put an OLED on the roof of the passenger compartment but why??
Making the dash board so pretty you have to marvel at it while driving is a bad idea period...
If you could hack it, I'd totally stick in an Autobot emblem.
This is awesome
Oh, how fast am I going? Let me just look at the middle of my stearing wheel, oh, really? That fa- SCREAM BOOM
How about supporting multi-touch so that I can resize my photos while driving?
I'd want a set of Mach5 buttons to be displayed, BTW...
Nice mount they've got there... Would it have been that hard to pry a BMW logo off and stick a piece of cardboard in?
It would probably be more beneficial to have an autopiloting system that senses a potential driver distraction from doodling to whatever activity and takes over to prevent an accident before creating more drive distraction devices...
up next OLED porn on steering wheel.... )=