Automotive
the driver’s concentration. Doors could automatically be opened through gesture recognition as the driver approached their vehicle. This could be of real value to the disabled or those carrying heavy items.
More proficient climate control Keeping the vehicle interior at an optimal temperature is another function that is easily addressed through the implementation of advanced sensor technology. This is becoming increasingly important as an ever-bigger percentage of people migrate from internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles (EVs). Obviously EVs cannot utilize engine generated heat but are instead dependent on complex thermal management systems. The climate control in EVs must be as efficient as possible, as otherwise precious battery power (that could instead be helping to extend the vehicle’s range) is going to be wasted. Thermal imaging data can be acquired that will show the temperature of each vehicle occupant. This can be used to set the climate control in each zone of the cabin to the appropriate level.
Enhanced seating
Facing longer commutes, many of us will be spending more time in our cars. Providing vehicle occupants with seating that is both comfortable and functional is another key element of future vehicles’ interior layouts. Novel design concepts and use of new materials will lead to improvements in these seats’ look and feel, bringing them more in line with those found in the home. The technology now available means that it is possible to make certain that seats are positioned to exactly meet each occupant’s
preferences, even before they enter the vehicle. Fans integrated directly into these seats will translate into more effective cooling, while massaging mechanisms will provide relief from lumbar pain (and are thus likely to prove invaluable during longer journeys). Alongside all this, sophisticated seat belt detection will be pivotal from the standpoint of occupant safety.
The supporting technology Via its continuously expanding portfolio of advanced automotive-grade semiconductor solutions, Melexis is helping to make the intelligent cockpit concept that has just been outlined into a reality. Its ToF 3D
camera ICs are highly optimized for DMS activities, offering both the necessary sunlight robustness and resolution levels. This ToF hardware is also applicable to in-air gesture- based control.
The company’s high accuracy magnetic positioning sensors are transforming essential driving activities - providing the x-by-wire functionality needed for streamlined, convenient, and responsive operation. Likewise, the magnetic and pressure sensors it offers, alongside motor and fan driver ICs, are increasing comfort and personalization in car seating. Seat belt detection systems, based on their magnetic sensing devices, mean that occupants are always securely seated.
In addition, Melexis IR sensor arrays enable contactless temperature measurements to be taken, so that climate control systems are used in the most operationally effective and energy- efficient manner.
Conclusion
The vehicles that are being introduced onto the market today are integrating a much broader spectrum of functions than would have even been thought achievable in the past. As the global automotive sector moves further into the realm of autonomous operation, the role of the driver will gradually be negated - with all vehicle occupants eventually being categorized as passengers. By embracing new technological innovations, it will be possible to transform vehicle interiors - making them better aligned with the new set of expectations that these occupants will have. The high-performance sensor technology described above, and the plethora of applications that are certain to benefit from it, underlines the fact that there is huge potential for enriching vehicles’ interior designs. They will thus be able to accommodate new types of HMI that improve the interaction between occupants and the vehicle itself, as well as to conduct real-time monitoring of occupants to ensure they are comfortable and safe. The engineering staff at Melexis are constantly looking for ingenious ways via which they can help manufacturers to bring a greater degree of intelligence to the cockpits of their cars. In the years to come, there will be even more progression here.
www.melexis.com
www.cieonline.co.uk Components in Electronics November 2021 15
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