Discover new interior materials, technologies, concepts, comforts, innovations and suppliers

Synopsis: The user experience (UX) customers expect from their automobiles is at a turning point. Although in the past, driving characteristics and exterior features dominated the emotional experience of cars, in future the interaction space in the interior will be the main constituent of the customer UX. In order to prevail as a premium brand in this competitive new environment, automotive manufacturers have to offer a comprehensive, stunning and responsive UX in which an impression for all the human senses is orchestrated.

Synopsis: The car of the future will display elegant and ergonomic design with embedded sensors, touch surfaces and biomimetic multi-colored components. Cars will be made more functional and will be based on more intelligent materials: dashboard, central console, knobs, panels, seats, ceiling, armrests, kick plates will be made by novel processes and materials that are more intelligent and customized. All the manufacturing phases necessary for successful integration will be evaluated regarding the materials and processes as well. An example of the application of system integration will be shown, focusing on improved functionalities and complexity.

Synopsis: Currently, all the attention on autonomous vehicles is focused on self-driving; but what about the interior? We at Toyota Boshoku feel that the interior functions and features need to work autonomously for the occupants' comfort and convenience and a superb mobility experience. The MX191 concept for the year 2025 addresses this goal holistically, through its uniquely developed six concierge systems that take care of the occupants in the interior space.

Synopsis: Touch-sensitive surfaces in automotive interiors have been around for a while and there is no longer anything extraordinary about them. However, adding active haptic feedback as an additional cue to touch-based interactions opens up new possibilities for the design of user interfaces. Therefore, interfaces that were long seen as high risk can now be realized and are even on the edge of becoming an automotive reality. One example of this is Hyundai’s touch steering wheel development. With active haptic feedback, an enriched user experience can be created directly at the tip of the user’s finger. However, its potential to become part of the brand signature has not been exploited yet.

Synopsis: Internationally there is strong and very evident rapid growth and drive for new-generation materials offering genuinely sustainable solutions. The automotive industry is clearly faced with this challenge, at the same time as dramatic changes are taking place in powertrains, and with very demanding emissions legislation. There are some exciting solutions available that can meet many of these challenges simultaneously. Dr Kellie will focus on developments in plastics and non-woven materials in this very timely presentation.

Synopsis: Autoliv’s newly developed simulator allows rapid scenario modeling and integrated HMI development using an integrated prototyping environment shared between simulator and test vehicles, meaning updates to interfaces in the simulation will be available instantly in the test vehicle. Initial iterative evaluation of multiple virtual prototypes is done in HMD mode. Selected concepts are then evaluated in a ‘screen mode’ simulation with hardware in the loop before final prototype evaluation in a real vehicle on a test track. Likewise, test scenarios can be modeled in a virtual copy of the test track facility and tested before launching evaluation in the physical test track environment.

Synopsis: We have all seen futuristic interior designs of mobility products. But we have no way of knowing if these designs will indeed be the final product we’ll see. What we do know is who will be using these products. Understanding the future users and consumers will help us bring values to the forefront of our products and brands, to create more meaningful and enjoyable experiences. This lecture will help you understand how to use materials and technologies to create an emotional bond with your product.

Synopsis: As a result of an expected increase in passenger kilometers traveled with higher automation levels, carsickness is gaining more and more attention in the automotive research community. In this talk, an overview of several studies by Ford and its partners will be presented investigating carsickness in detail. Surveys were conducted to get a basic understanding of today’s carsickness incidence, customers’ perception of influencing factors and individual differences. Controlled lab experiments underlined the relevance of motion predictability and the mitigating potential of making motion more predictable. Finally, first on-road trials evaluated an early prototype of a cueing-based carsickness mitigation concept.