Valeo and TactoTek announce collaboration for automotive lighting solutions

Valeo, a leader in automotive lighting systems, and TactoTek, a leader in in-mould structural electronics (IMSE) technology, have announced a licensing agreement for IMSE technology to offer advanced interior and exterior lighting applications.
Lighting is becoming increasingly important for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and consumers, offering both safety and style functions. Valeo provides OEMs with solutions to differentiate themselves in the market, while allowing consumers to personalise their vehicles. Valeo will leverage its expertise in over-molding processes and optical systems alongside TactoTek's In-Mold Structural Electronics technology. For safety purposes, this technology can offer functions such as a warning or visual feedback for Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), alerting drivers when a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, or during emergency braking, for example. It will also enable to meet the growing demand for dynamic displays that include colour management and animation, as well as customisation elements such as logos.
“Around the world, OEMs are redefining their use of lighting as their clients ask for more ADAS, differentiation and communication. To meet these new needs, our lighting solutions evolve from lines to surface, with a higher number of LED sources.” says Maurizio Martinelli, CEO of Valeo LIGHT Division. “With Valeo expertise and In-Mold Structural Electronics lighting platforms, we have the tools to transform lighting design to offer new personalisation experience and more safety on the roads.”
"OEMs find In-Mold Structural Electronics lighting solutions appealing for design, packaging, and power efficiency.” comments Jussi Harvela, CEO of TactoTek. “We are excited to collaborate with Valeo – their expertise in lighting design combined with our pioneering IMSE technology will set new standards for the industry."
A game-changing technology
Lighting functions are becoming increasingly important to consumers, particularly in terms of dynamic displays and vehicle personalisation options. This trend presents significant challenges: materials must satisfy various criteria regarding brightness for daytime visibility, fit behind decorative elements in terms of thickness, allow for shape flexibility, and optimise efficiency in consumption and performance.
IMSE technology is ideally suited to meeting these requirements. By integrating electronic components into lightweight, 3D injection-molded polymer structures, it offers designers considerable freedom in creating versatile lighting elements. Additionally, it requires fewer parts and less plastic than parts manufactured using conventional methods, which reduces its impact on the environment.
The collaboration between TactoTek and Valeo is in line with the Group's ambition to guarantee a smooth and intuitive Human-to-Machine interaction by offering innovative solutions tailored to customer expectations.
About Valeo
Valeo is a technology company and partner to all automakers and new mobility players worldwide. The company innovates to make mobility safer, smarter and more sustainable. Four areas are vital to company’s growth, driven by the transformation of mobility: electrification, driving assistance systems, reinvention of the interior experience and lighting everywhere. In figures this means 21.5 billion euros in last year’s sales, over 100,000 employees working in 28 countries, 155 plants, 64 research and development centres as well as 19 distribution platforms.
www.valeo.com.
About TactoTek
TactoTek, (Oulu, Finland), is the world leader in developing and licensing in-mold structural electronics technologies. Automotive, aviation, connected home, industrial control and medical brands use TactoTek innovations to create next-generation user experiences that are compelling, differentiated, and more sustainable. Designers use TactoTek IP to integrate circuits and components directly into plastic parts, transforming conventional structures into smart interactive surfaces. The company is licensing its intellectual property, including over 290 patents and critical know-how developed over a decade of intensive R&D and quality testing, to global manufacturers who use reliable, standardised manufacturing processes to produce curved-shape and conformal electronics.
www.tactotek.com
Caption: Illustration of a car interior design showing several applications making use of IMSE technology innovations (image: TactoTek)
Source: Valeo/ TactoTek

Valeo, a global leader in automotive lighting systems, and TactoTek, the global leader of In-Mold Structural Electronics (IMSE) technology, announced Valeo licensing TactoTek’s IMSE technology to offer advanced interior and exterior lighting applications.
Lighting is becoming increasingly important for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and consumers, offering both safety and style functions. Valeo provides OEMs with solutions to differentiate themselves in the market, while allowing consumers to personalise their vehicles. Valeo will leverage its expertise in over-molding processes and optical systems alongside TactoTek's In-Mold Structural Electronics technology. For safety purposes, this technology can offer functions such as a warning or visual feedback for Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), alerting drivers when a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, or during emergency braking, for example. It will also enable to meet the growing demand for dynamic displays that include colour management and animation, as well as customisation elements such as logos.
“Around the world, OEMs are redefining their use of lighting as their clients ask for more ADAS, differentiation and communication. To meet these new needs, our lighting solutions evolve from lines to surface, with a higher number of LED sources.” says Maurizio Martinelli, CEO of Valeo LIGHT Division. “With Valeo expertise and In-Mold Structural Electronics lighting platforms, we have the tools to transform lighting design to offer new personalisation experience and more safety on the roads.”
"OEMs find In-Mold Structural Electronics lighting solutions appealing for design, packaging, and power efficiency.” comments Jussi Harvela, CEO of TactoTek. “We are excited to collaborate with Valeo – their expertise in lighting design combined with our pioneering IMSE technology will set new standards for the industry."
A game-changing technology
Lighting functions are becoming increasingly important to consumers, particularly in terms of dynamic displays and vehicle personalisation options. This trend presents significant challenges: materials must satisfy various criteria regarding brightness for daytime visibility, fit behind decorative elements in terms of thickness, allow for shape flexibility, and optimise efficiency in consumption and performance.
IMSE technology is ideally suited to meeting these requirements. By integrating electronic components into lightweight, 3D injection-molded polymer structures, it offers designers considerable freedom in creating versatile lighting elements. Additionally, it requires fewer parts and less plastic than parts manufactured using conventional methods, which reduces its impact on the environment.
The collaboration between TactoTek and Valeo is in line with the Group's ambition to guarantee a smooth and intuitive Human-to-Machine interaction by offering innovative solutions tailored to customer expectations.
About Valeo
Valeo is a technology company and partner to all automakers and new mobility players worldwide. The company innovates to make mobility safer, smarter and more sustainable. Four areas are vital to company’s growth, driven by the transformation of mobility: electrification, driving assistance systems, reinvention of the interior experience and lighting everywhere. In figures this means 21.5 billion euros in last year’s sales, over 100,000 employees working in 28 countries, 155 plants, 64 research and development centres as well as 19 distribution platforms.
www.valeo.com.
About TactoTek
TactoTek, (Oulu, Finland), is the world leader in developing and licensing in-mold structural electronics technologies. Automotive, aviation, connected home, industrial control and medical brands use TactoTek innovations to create next-generation user experiences that are compelling, differentiated, and more sustainable. Designers use TactoTek IP to integrate circuits and components directly into plastic parts, transforming conventional structures into smart interactive surfaces. The company is licensing its intellectual property, including over 290 patents and critical know-how developed over a decade of intensive R&D and quality testing, to global manufacturers who use reliable, standardised manufacturing processes to produce curved-shape and conformal electronics.
www.tactotek.com
Caption: Illustration of a car interior design showing several applications making use of IMSE technology innovations (image: TactoTek)
Source: Valeo/ TactoTek