At the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Continental has unveiled an innovative and fully customizable dashboard concept, setting the stage for potential advancements in automotive design. Continental, a significant German supplier to renowned automotive brands like BMW, GM, Ford, and Honda, is at the forefront of integrating smart display technology into vehicles, responding to consumer desires for innovation and personalization.
Integral to this dashboard concept is the 'Emotional Cockpit,' which leverages E Ink technology to transform the entire dashboard into a canvas for user expressions and preferences. This approach highlights a growing trend among automotive manufacturers to focus on personalization as a critical aspect of modern vehicles. Pavel Prouza, Head of the User Experience (UX) business area at Continental, stated, "Personalization and emotionality are decisive success factors for vehicles of the future." He elaborated that younger consumers, particularly Generation Z, wish to communicate their individuality through digital media, hence the need for such innovations.
The Emotional Cockpit features a distinctive E Ink prism display that measures 1.6 inches in height and stretches over 4 feet in width, making it both lightweight and power-efficient. This display operates similarly to an e-reader, showing information as if printed on paper rather than illuminated by pixels, thus conserving energy. Since the display consumes power only during image changes, it is well-suited for electric vehicles (EVs). Its ability to reflect light like real paper also opens up unique interior design possibilities. Currently, the technology displays in black and gray, but future iterations are expected to incorporate colour options.
In addition to the dashboard, E Ink technology is being adapted for various automotive applications. For instance, the display showcased at CES included an E Ink panel mounted externally on the vehicle, capable of presenting personalised information, such as the current charge level of electric vehicles. This feature aims to enhance convenience and user experience further.
This year's CES introduced other technological advancements in the automotive sector, such as smart sun visors equipped with built-in displays and OLED technology integrated into rearview mirrors. As automobiles evolve, the scope of display technologies explodes, enabling a significantly altered driving environment. Continental's innovations in customizable cockpit design are expected to play a crucial role in how consumers interact with their vehicles in the near future, which may redefine norms in the automotive industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services