May 23, 2025 23:00:00

The world's first technology to turn an OLED display into a multi-channel speaker has been born, successfully producing different sounds from each pixel

Display technology has made great strides in terms of resolution, high dynamic range (HDR), color accuracy, etc., but as it is maturing, the industry is seeking a breakthrough by integrating multisensory inputs such as vision, hearing, and touch into displays. In this context,

Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in South Korea has announced that it has succeeded in developing the world's first technology that enables OLED displays to be used as multi-channel speakers.

Localized Sound‐Integrated Display Speaker Using Crosstalk‐Free Piezoelectric Vibration Array - Hong - Advanced Science - Wiley Online Library
https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202414691

“OLED” “OLED” POSTECH |
https://www.postech.ac.kr/kor/research-industry-academia/research-results.do?mode=view&articleNo=22772

As display technology evolves, most displays still pose design challenges, requiring bulky external soundbars or multi-channel speakers.

To solve this problem, a research team led by Professor Cho Se-seok (최수석) and PhD student Hong In-pyo (홍인표) from POSTECH looked into integrating advanced sound capabilities directly into OLED panels. By embedding ultra-thin piezos within the OLED frame, they were able to convert electrical signals into sound signals without externalizing them. A key point is that they are fully compatible with the thin form factor of OLEDs, allowing each pixel of the OLED to act as an independent sound source, enabling pixel-based local sound technology.

A demonstration video using a 13-inch OLED, the same type used in laptops and tablet devices, has also been released.

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For example, this technology could enable a driver to hear navigation instructions while a passenger listens to music in a car, and in virtual reality and smartphone applications, sound could dynamically adapt to the user's head and hand movements, enhancing the sense of realism and immersion.

'Displays are evolving beyond visual output devices into comprehensive interfaces that utilize both vision and sound,' said Professor Choi, who led the research team. 'Our technology could enable sleek, lightweight designs for smartphones, laptops and automotive displays, and become a core feature of next-generation devices that provide immersive, high-quality audio.'