Do cars still need cable harnesses?

Although they’re hidden away behind trim and under carpets, traditional, copper-based wiring looms still take up space and add weight. In future they could be replaced by wafer-thin and bendable printed electronic circuits, currently used in curved televisions. These could be ‘printed’ into the car’s body panels and provide a lightweight, space-saving alternative to traditional wiring for instruments, switches, lighting, heating and screens. The tech is being investigated by Jaguar Land Rover in the UK.

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