Test drive Continental Morphing Controls technology
Waiting for a revolution in the car of the future
Designers strive for an interior without buttons and knobs in the car. However, in everyday life, consumers prefer easily accessible buttons, which has a big advantage. Continental seems to have found a solution that suits both sides.
A clean car cockpit is the ideal beauty of designers. Unfortunately, however, each new dashboard shortcut requires a menu update to use the touch screen or voice control. However, since the function then likes to repeat the shape, this poses a high risk of rejection.
Car manufacturer Continental has already announced technology that should combine aesthetics and functionality. Title: Morphing Control.
June 2018 presentation
An elastic and translucent synthetic leather-like material should provide a clean surface design. Symbols can be displayed on the material in accordance with the purpose, for example, for a certain element of the service. When the hand of the driver or passenger approaches the corresponding symbol, the surface swells up. Thus, a working button with touch feedback is formed, which appears exactly at the moment when it is needed. After use, having fulfilled its purpose, it disappears without a trace.
A whole range of technologies are installed behind the surface. Capacitive proximity sensors detect hand movements. The LEDs indicate a virtual button that is physically lifted by the expandable material. The sensor measures the pressure of the fingers on the control element and then activates the corresponding command in the software, for example, activates the seat heating. Not only buttons but sliders should be accessible with technology.
The morph controls, which will be prototyped in June 2018, are being developed by the Continental Benecke-Hornschuh Surface Group. Its leader, Dr. Dirk Lace, explains: “Quiet surfaces in the car interior contribute to less distraction. At the same time, operation is incredibly easy thanks to proximity sensors, pressure recognition and haptic feedback. Morphing Controls is a modular concept suitable for door or ceiling cladding. "
Thus, designers must discover new possibilities, such as a new group of service islands for each passenger in an autonomous vehicle. Whether and who will be the manufacturer of Morphing Controls remains to be seen.
