Doosan Bobcat Inc., a construction equipment unit of South Korean conglomerate Doosan Group, has collaborated with the world’s only transparent OLED display maker LG Display Co. to show the future of an electric excavator with an Augmented Reality (AR)-backed see-through windshield control panel.

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022, held in Las Vegas, Doosan Bobcat showcased the prototype of its electric compact excavator, E35e. The concept model of the compact excavator is applied with LG Display`s new transparent organic light emitting diode (OLED) on its windshield that serves as a control panel supported by AR technology.

The operator of the E35e can check the location and conditions of a construction site through the AR-backed transparent touch screen on the windshield, allowing the operator to control various functions remotely in real time through the touch screen. This technology also enables the operator to even control other excavators from a distance in real time. Work safety is also enhanced thanks to this large, flat panel on the windshield without physical controlling buttons and other components that obstruct the operator’s view in the conventional models.

If Doosan Bobcat decides to mass produce the E35e, it is expected to work with LG Display that is the world’s only supplier of transparent OLEDs.

LG Display’s transparent OLED is a technology that maximizes OLED’s ability to emit light without a backlight. Large transparent OLEDs are currently supplied exclusively by LG Display in the world. LG Display began mass production of a 55-inch transparent OLED display with 40-percent transmittance in 2019 versus glass’s 70-percent transmittance of glass.

Demand for transparent OLEDs has been on the steady rise. They are already being used in places such as shopping malls, museums, and subways.

According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the global transparent OLED market is expected to grow rapidly, from about 100 billion won ($840 million) in 2022 to about 3 trillion won in 2025 and 12 trillion won in 2030.

There were companies other than Doosan Bobcat at the CES 2022 that showcased products that use transparent OLEDs. Avikus, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group’s in-house venture that specializes in development of autonomous navigational systems, showcased autonomous boats fitted with transparent OLEDs.

By Lee Seung-hoon, Oh Chan-jong and Susan Lee

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