From: mk_thisisit
Inuru, a company co-founded by Marcin Ratajczak and Patryk, has developed a process for producing OLEDs (Organic Light-Emitting Diodes) via printing [00:00:03]. This OLED printing technology allows for the creation of thin, flexible light screens that can be integrated into various surfaces [00:01:19], [00:03:13]. The printing process significantly reduces production costs compared to classic silicon processes, making the technology accessible for broader applications [00:03:40].
The company’s vision is to create a world with less waste by enabling products to be more interactive and durable [00:00:57], [00:10:45].
Current and Potential Applications
Interactive Packaging
- Medicine Labels: Printed screens can be integrated into medicine packaging with a small timer to indicate when the medicine has expired, or to light up when taken in hand to inform about its status [00:00:26], [00:06:30], [00:06:41]. This creates “intelligent packaging” that can also be used multiple times for different contents (e.g., a carton that can display “apple juice” one day and “milk” the next) [00:11:07], [00:11:13].
- Luxury Product Labels: Initially, the technology was applied to luxury products like champagne labels, where the light acts as a design element and adds value [00:00:21], [00:07:52], [00:13:06].
Gaming
- Board Games: The first product launched in the American market is a board game featuring a printed screen directly on the game board [00:02:16], [00:02:22]. This screen acts as an interactive element, lighting up when a specific part of the board is touched [00:02:30], [00:02:36]. The game is being distributed in the Walmart network [00:07:17].
Wearable Technology
- Clothing: The thin, paper-like screens can be placed on clothes, enabling future clothing to change color or patterns by simply downloading new licenses from the internet [00:01:21], [00:03:48], [00:10:20].
- Skin Applications: While currently an extreme, distant future application (10-20 years), the screens could potentially be applied to the skin as glowing, animated tattoos or even transplanted under the skin for a small interface showing physiological states (e.g., body temperature, oxygen levels) or notifications [00:01:23], [00:29:40], [00:30:01].
Advertising and Signage
- Posters: The technology enables “moving posters” and “shining, magical” interactive advertisements [00:18:47], [00:33:33]. Luminous posters using Inuru’s technology are already available online [00:33:30].
- Road Signs: A future vision includes the use of these screens on sidewalks and roads for informing and guiding, replacing traditional road signs [00:09:54].
Other Potential Applications
- Cards and Newspapers: The technology can be integrated into cards and even conceptual “Harry Potter newspapers” [00:03:17].
- General Integration: Due to their flatness and thinness, the screens can be integrated onto virtually any surface where light can provide value [00:03:57].
Production and Scale
Inuru’s production line, which is described as highly robotic, is the first of its kind globally [00:04:47], [00:13:47]. The company is starting a new production line capable of producing 8 million OLEDs annually [00:00:52], [00:23:37]. This expanded production aims to make the technology more affordable for applications such as medical products, which require a better price point [00:23:46], [00:23:51]. The company believes in a future where consumption is smarter and more interactive, with objects providing helpful information and status updates [00:11:32], [00:28:50].