TactoTek is a Finnish SME, founded in 2011, that manufactures structural electronics by integrating printed circuitry and discrete electronic components into 3D injection-moulded plastics. With TactoTek key aspects of a device’s intelligence and functionality can disappear into the plastics themselves and become durable structural electronics. TactoTek’s thin 3D formed components bring superb weight and design benefits for the European automotive industry. In the competitive Automotive market, TactoTek can answer the European OEM’s need for luxurious interior styling at a lower price point while reducing vehicle weight. TactoTek parts can replace inert structural components, reduce assembly steps, and minimize complicated electrical connections to deliver a competitive total cost solution. In addition, TactoTek structural electronics are manufactured using standard mass production equipment for production efficiency and scalability. TactoTek has demonstrated and validated its technology in multiple prototype and NRE projects in collaboration with global customers. The purpose of this 18 month project is, for the first time in the world, to demonstrate mass production manufacturing volumes and quality by conducting pilot mass production of structural electronics. Doing so will enable TactoTek to enter the global Automotive market in which TactoTek technology has significant customer pull. Recognized by analysts, customers and partners, TactoTek is the technology leader in structural electronics for automotives. In addition to piloting mass production, this project will prepare TactoTek to scale production through licensing its manufacturing methods and partnering with OEMs, Tier 1 –3 vendors and their manufacturing service providers to satisfy growing global demand.

To strengthen EU’s global competitiveness and resilience, the updated Industrial Strategy calls for accelerating the green and digital transitions of key European ecosystems. UNICORN foresees functional electronics as an enabler & catalyser of EU mobility’s twin transition. Using a car-as-a lab, UNICORN is aiming at increasing the circularity-driven functional integration of electronics in automotive, while simultaneously embedding eco-design principles in their development and ensuring net beneficial effect on climate change mitigation. UNICORN will demonstrate a capability to design & develop innovative green and circular technologies for automotive electronics, based on four electronic systems (composite-embedded, in-molded, textile/plastic and rubber-integrated) taken from industrial use cases for a battery casing, a dashboard, a seat/door system and a tire. Solutions will 1) encompass lightweight, low impact and/or bio-based materials for (flexible) substrates, films, encapsulation, inks, solvents, adhesives and flat cabling & interconnects; 2) validate resource/energy efficient, net shape, additive, printing, encapsulating and (reversible) bonding manufacturing processes for circuitry, sensors, gauges, antennas, interconnects; and 3) implement design for material circularity via reversible design, modularity, form factors to increase disassembly and recovery of valuable material. For harnessing benefits of these technologies, UNICORN will set a new methodology for net impact assessment and eco-design guidelines for automotive electronics designers & developers. It will establish a vision and roadmap on the role of functional electronics for supporting EU mobility climate targets, and set the blueprints for transfers in further application sectors. UNICORN gathers 12 partners (7 companies) mutualising skills and pilot/industrial capacities on flexible, printed & organic electronics, circularity & regulatory competences and business leaderships in Automotive.