# NIO ES9 Debuts Array-Type LC Smart Privacy Window With 64 Controllable Zones

NIO has globally debuted an array-type LC \(dye liquid crystal\) smart privacy dimming window on the ES9, extending light control from the whole pane to individual regions\. The system forms 64 controllable zones across six side windows in the second and third rows, with privacy-state visible light transmittance as low as 0\.2%\.

By China EV Signal
Published: 2026-10-30T13:51:51.414Z
Updated: 2026-10-30T13:51:51.415Z
Canonical article: https://chinaevsignal.com/news/nio-es9-array-lc-smart-privacy-window-64-zones

## Key takeaways

- The NIO ES9 globally debuts an array-type LC smart privacy dimming window that controls light by region rather than across the entire glass pane\.
- Six side windows in the ES9's second and third rows form 64 controllable zones, with 44 zones on the two sides of the second row and 20 on the two sides of the third row\.
- ES9 window glass achieves privacy-state visible light transmittance as low as 0\.2%, while ultraviolet and infrared blocking reaches 99% or more at the whole-window level\.

## Array-type LC control on the ES9

The NIO ES9 globally debuts an array-type LC \(liquid crystal, dye liquid crystal technology\) smart privacy dimming window, moving control from the entire window to separate regions\. The architecture forms 64 controllable zones across six side windows in the second and third rows\.

Within that total, the second-row main window and triangular window each have 11 zones per side, for 44 zones across both sides\. The third row has 10 zones per side, for 20 zones across both sides\.

## Privacy and heat rejection figures

In its privacy state, the ES9 window's visible light transmittance is as low as 0\.2%, corresponding to privacy needs in real vehicle use scenarios\. At the whole-window level, the glass blocks 99% or more of ultraviolet and infrared radiation, combining sun protection with heat insulation\.

## Precision patterning and durability

NIO introduced semiconductor-grade precision lithography for the ES9, bringing the zone dividing lines to about 10 microns, roughly one-seventh the diameter of a human hair\. The black border along the upper edge of the door glass is as low as 10 mm, preserving more usable visibility for occupants\.

The ES9's LC devices offer millisecond-level response\. Moving windows must meet durability requirements of tens of thousands of up-and-down cycles, and validation spans more than 100 standards from film and glass assembly to the complete vehicle\.

## Development adjustments and dimming modes

During the first installation validation, the team found that under the existing light-transmittance definition, interior screens that lit up could still be seen from outside when the window was in privacy state\. The team adjusted the optical combination of the glass assembly, including deepening the middle PVB interlayer, to further reduce overall light transmittance\.

The zone architecture supports a roll-down mode, in which the window darkens progressively from top to bottom to block direct sunlight while retaining visibility and natural light below, and a split-open mode, which leaves a localized transparent area within a large privacy zone so occupants can observe the surroundings\.

Before real dimming film samples were available, the team used 1:1 printed replica film for trial fitting to check zone alignment and assembly effects in advance\. NIO describes the system as drawing on 11 years of technology accumulation\.

## Company coverage

- [NIO news](https://chinaevsignal.com/manufacturers/nio)

## Original publisher

蔚来. Published: 2026-10-30T08:30:06.000Z