Continental to Launch Morphing Controls to Reduce Driver Distraction

Continental is shortly planning to launch its Morphing Controls technology for vehicle interiors. Morphing Controls technology involves the use of controls which disappear when they are not needed. The illuminated buttons for the controls in the vehicle interiors stand out against the surface of the dashboard when the driver’s hand nears the surface. The three-dimensional buttons come to shape as the driver’s hand approaches so that the driver can choose their entry. When the driver withdraws his hand, the buttons disappear without a trace. Thus, as few buttons as possible are used to make many functions easily usable.

Technical highlight of the surface technology

According to Jens Brandt, vice president, Instrumentation and Driver HMI, Continental, North America, the morphing controls make various functions usable, and can be changed based on the need and the driving situation. The key benefit is that their usage can reduce driver distraction with a simple dashboard that allows the end user full control at all times and also looks quite sleek.

The Morphing Control material is stretchable and light-permeable. It has the texture and appearance of premium artificial leather. The material leverages homogeneous lighting and high illumination intensity to outline the precise shape of the well-lit symbols. When the morphing controls are deactivated, both the symbols and the mechanical elements become invisible and intangible.

There’s more behind the surface than what meets the eye

The use of the morphing controls requires a significant level of human-machine interaction. This level of integration is attained through a combination of sensors, material innovation, electronics and electromechanics. There are capacitive proximity sensors under the surface of the dashboard which can sense the approach of the human hand and reveal the controls. The controls can move forward through the stretchable multilayer surface material and LED illumination is used to show the button’s function. The driver’s finger pressure is measured to sense that the touch was not by mistake and only when there is sufficient force, a tactile signal is triggered.

The driver comes to know that the function has successfully activated through the pulse signal. The entire process can be carried out without the driver needing to take his eyes off the road, thus enhancing safety.