HAPTIC TECHNOLOGY IN AUTOMOBILES

The consistent demand for high-performance electronic systems in hybrid electric vehicles and high-end automotive has triggered the need for improved and highly efficient sensors. Haptic touchscreen is increasingly showing growth in the automotive sector. Its adoption is expected to create positive waves in the automotive semiconductor industry due to a higher level of system performance and better functionality delivered by the former, at a slightly higher cost. Currently, the few applications of haptic touchscreens in the automotive sector include in-car infotainment systems and touch screens in GPS. Besides, tactile haptic systems are implemented in various automobiles, including Lexus RTI, Cadillac CUE, Acura ODMD, Opel Touchpad, Hyundai Haptic Dial, and Aston Martin Touch Interface, among others.

Some of the promising cases of haptic technology in automobiles are:

Immersion Corporation

Immersion Corporation, signed an agreement with Continental. With this, Continental will have access to Immersion’s advanced haptic technologies for its automotive interfaces.

DS Automobiles

DS Automobiles, in collaboration with Ultraleap, is building contact-free controls for the future DS models. They are using mid-air haptic & hand-tracking technologies, and does not require touchscreens or buttons for input.

BMW

In CES 2017, BMW presented HoloActive Touch. It is an innovative control concept for the automobile’s interior. It uses a haptically perceptible feedback system to get its input from hand gesture’s mid-air.

Kyocera Corporation

In October 2020, the company unveiled its concept car “Moeye,” which comprises advanced features. One of them was the inclusion of Haptivity tactile feedback technology. The touch display vibrates as the panel sense the touching of a button.

Innolux Corporation | Tanvas Inc

In January 2020, Innolux Corporation partnered with Tanvas Inc to produce a 15″ automotive-qualified touch display. This technology can be used in large and curved automotive displays.

The incorporation of haptic technology in automobiles is improvising the user’s access towards automotive features. In addition, it will be upgraded with Ultra haptics, an upcoming technology to multifold the user’s experience. This technology enables the user to experience the sensations mid-air. With these developments and a rise in demand for advanced features, haptic technology in automobile market show promising trends.