Automotive IMSE Manufacturing for Integrated Interior Systems

Valeo and TactoTek are cooperating on an automated, high-volume manufacturing program that integrates lighting and electronics into structural interior components using In-Mold Structural Electronics (IMSE) technology for passenger vehicles.

Context of the Cooperation
Valeo is an automotive supplier specializing in lighting systems, interior electronics, and industrial-scale manufacturing. TactoTek develops IMSE technology, which enables electronic functionality to be integrated directly into injection-molded structural parts.

The cooperation addresses the increasing complexity of vehicle interiors, where lighting, sensing, and user interfaces must be combined within limited space while meeting automotive durability, cost, and production-volume requirements. Integrating electronics and lighting into load-bearing interior parts requires coordinated expertise in materials, electronics integration, tooling, and automated production, necessitating collaboration between both companies.

Technical Solution and Responsibilities
The program is based on IMSE, a manufacturing approach in which printed electronic circuits and components are embedded into injection-molded plastic parts. This process eliminates separate housings, wiring assemblies, and secondary integration steps.

TactoTek provides the IMSE design methodology, materials, and process know-how, enabling electronic circuits, LEDs, and control elements to be embedded directly into the molded structure. Valeo is responsible for system design, lighting integration, industrial engineering, and the development of an automated production line optimized for high-volume automotive output.

The resulting interior modules combine lighting and electronic functionality in a single, thin structure, supporting reduced part count, lower mass, and simplified assembly.

Deployment and Industrialization
A dedicated production line has been developed specifically for the industrialization of IMSE-based interior components. The line is designed for automated, repeatable manufacturing compatible with automotive quality and throughput requirements.

The solution is intended for deployment in series vehicle programs for a premium global automaker, with integration into existing vehicle interior architectures. Valeo manages manufacturing, quality assurance, and system validation, while TactoTek supports process optimization and technology transfer.

Applications and Use Cases
Target applications include illuminated interior panels, smart surfaces, and integrated control areas within passenger compartments. Use cases involve ambient lighting elements, functional lighting lines, and combined lighting-interface modules used in automotive interior systems.

By embedding electronics directly into structural parts, the approach improves packaging efficiency, mechanical robustness, and energy efficiency compared to multi-component assemblies.

Expected Impact
The cooperation enables scalable production of integrated interior systems using fewer materials and reduced assembly steps. From a manufacturing perspective, IMSE supports improved process stability and design flexibility, while maintaining cost competitiveness at high volumes.

For automotive manufacturers, the approach provides a technically integrated path toward compact, durable, and functionally dens

www.valeo.com