Feature: Automotive
Safety and comfort systems for the new-era cars
By Heiko Rother, General Manager Business Development Automotive, Asahi Kasei Europe T
he ongoing Connected – Autonomous – Shared – Electric (CASE) megatrends continue to disrupt the automotive industry.
New technologies are constantly adding to car functionality, safety and comfort, developments primarily driven by users, as shown by the results of a current study conducted by Asahi Kasei Europe and Skopos. Not only the vehicle itself is undergoing changes, but the driving experience, too. Due to the increasing autonomy of the
car, passengers will not need to focus as much on traffic, leaving more time to spend on work, in-car entertainment or just relaxation. This means attention will shift from the car’s exterior to its interior. In recent years, car manufacturers and suppliers have come up with a large number of automotive interior concepts – like Asahi Kasei’s concept car AKXY. But, what do customers really need or
want? In October 2019, Asahi Kasei Europe
conducted a representative survey together with business consultancy
22 February 2021
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
Skopos, interviewing some 1,200 car users in Germany, France, Italy and the UK about their preferences for mobility and, especially, about the automotive interior they want. The results show a growing complexity in customers’ decision processes. Whilst traditional metrics such as fuel consumption, running costs or driving performance are still key decision factors, the interior, including features like acoustic systems and overall advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are quickly gaining in importance.
Active noise cancellation With the growing autonomy of the car, the user’s perception of “sound” seems to change dramatically, along with the requirements for the driving experience. The creation of a perfect sound environment will become as important as the filtration and cancellation of unwanted engine or road noise. For this, a broad range of materials – starting with synthetic rubber for the tires up to sound-absorbing plastics and textiles – will play an important part. For active sound experience and noise cancellation, electronic acoustic systems will increase
comfort and safety inside the car. A key result of the survey shows that
car users in the four main European automotive markets welcome the possibilities acoustic systems offer to improving the ambience inside the car. Every second respondent sees a personal benefit in noise-cancelling acoustic systems, and every third is willing to add them as extra equipment. The same result can be seen with
acoustic systems that optimise the input of voice commands. Nearly 50% of all respondents see this as a benefit, with some 32% willing to pay extra for them. Regarding the contribution of acoustic systems to the in-car entertainment, 39.5% want systems that direct music and audio toward each passenger in a private sound zone. Just 26%, which is only every fourth car user, would be willing to pay more for this – a sign that this technology is just finding its way into automotive.
ADAS into account Also, as part of ADAS, acoustic systems mean value-added for the car owner. Nearly 60% of all respondents see a personal benefit in acoustic systems that
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