Technological innovation for the new generation of automotive components

A project to meet the new demands of mobility

The automotive industry has been undergoing a period of transformation characterised by the search for more efficient, sustainable and technologically advanced solutions. It is against this backdrop that the POLECAT initiative (coPefi – In-mOld eLEctronics for Automotive Components) has emerged, promoted by COPEFI in collaboration with PIEP – the Polymer Engineering Innovation Hub – and co-funded by COMPETE 2030. The project aims to develop new technological solutions capable of integrating electronic functionalities directly into automotive components, contributing to the modernisation of the sector and the creation of increasingly intelligent and sustainable vehicles.

The initiative stems from the growing need for innovation in the automotive industry, where manufacturers and suppliers are simultaneously seeking to improve the user experience, reduce environmental impact and increase the efficiency of production processes. POLECAT addresses this challenge by exploring In-Mould Electronics (IME) technology, which allows injection moulding to be combined with printed electronics in a single production process.

New forms of interaction between vehicle and user

IME technology paves the way for the integration of sensors and electronic interfaces directly into the surfaces of components, enabling the creation of more intuitive and functional solutions. This approach makes it possible to replace traditional mechanical mechanisms with touch-sensitive surfaces, contributing to a simpler and more modern user experience.

According to João Fleming Torrinha, Director-General of COPEFI, the project stems precisely from the need to keep pace with evolving market expectations: “COPEFI sees the POLECAT project as an opportunity to meet the current and future needs of consumers, who are the key input for OEMs’ investment decisions.”

In this context, the ongoing technological development seeks to enhance interaction between the vehicle and the user, introducing digital interfaces integrated into the components themselves. As the COPEFI representative explains, “Thus, the ongoing development aims to achieve greater interaction between the vehicle and the user, using touch technology rather than mechanical movement, whilst also delivering other significant benefits such as a reduction in the overall weight of the assembly and the simplification of the production process, which enables significant reductions in CO2 emissions.”

A new concept for automotive components

One of the applications being explored as part of the project is the development of an innovative solution for the car’s sun visor mirror. By integrating technologies such as Smart Glass and IME, the aim is to create a system capable of altering the mirror’s transparency or opacity and incorporating capacitive sensors directly into its surface.

This solution allows mechanical buttons to be replaced by integrated interfaces, simplifying the design and reducing the number of components required. At the same time, it contributes to a more intuitive user experience and a more modern aesthetic within vehicle interiors.

The integration of multiple functions into a single component also represents an advantage from a production perspective, as it reduces assembly steps and contributes to more efficient industrial processes.

Sustainability and broad application potential

Another of POLECAT’s key focuses is sustainability. Reducing the number of components, simplifying production processes and using lighter materials help to minimise the environmental impact associated with the production and operation of vehicles. These solutions are in line with the automotive industry’s increasingly stringent sustainability targets.

Although it has an automotive application as its starting point, the potential of the technology developed extends beyond this sector. The integration of electronics into moulded surfaces opens up new opportunities in various industrial sectors.

As João Fleming Torrinha points out: “In this case, we want to begin the process with an application in the automotive sector, but we see POLECAT as perfectly applicable to other industries and/or applications.”

In this way, POLECAT stands out as an example of collaborative innovation that combines technology, sustainability and new design approaches, contributing to the evolution of automotive components and the development of industrial solutions with potential for application across multiple sectors.

Links

COPEFI | Website

PIEP | Website