A tiny touchpad in the armrest or steering wheel of future vehicles could enable drivers to more easily communicate with a car's audio, radio, phone, or navigation system, thus reducing driver distraction.
Developed by TRW Automotive, the new touchpad employs capacitive sensors that allow drivers to use a finger to jot script onto a screen as small as an inch square. By writing a few letters on the screen, drivers could access the navigation system, a radio station, a certain song on an iPod, or numerous other in-car features. The key to the system is its ability to allow users to communicate with the vehicle without taking their eyes off the road.
Fixed in an armrest or steering wheel spoke, TRW's touch pad would enable drivers to communicate with the vehicle without taking their eyes off the road. (Source: TRW Automotive)
"When drivers are unable to input information in the correct way, they get distracted," Frank Koch, advanced engineering manager for TRW Body Control, told us. "What we've done is calculate the position and motion of your finger, and then translate that into numbers, letters, and words." The automotive supplier has accomplished that by creating a small screen that allows the driver to keep his or her arm fixed and merely move a thumb or finger to give a command. "You have to have your arm fixed and the touch pad must be near your finger," Koch said. "You could do that in an armrest or in the steering wheel, where your arm is fixed to the rim of the wheel."
Unlike the traditional capacitive screens employed in consumer electronics, TRW's system uses only a few sensors, rather than a capacitive array with as many as 20 devices per square centimeter. When a user touches the screen, it sends a signal to a microcontroller (MCU) with onboard software algorithms that recognize the change in capacitance and understand the script. A driver, for example, could write an "A" for audio, an "R" for radio, an "N" for navigation, or "CD" for the CD player, and the system could "know" which features to operate. A vehicle manufacturer could also set up the system so it recognizes nomadic devices, such as iPods and cellphones, Koch said.
Yes,, I can understand how the touchpad would be more in most cases. I find that voice recognition usually has some non-intuitive aspects to it, while most touch-based systems seem logical.
Beth, I would go for voice over script as well. My concern is that "scripting" may also be somewhat of a driver distraction (not as much as texting, though).
I agree with you, notarboca. Scripting could definitely be a driver distraction. There are two types of distractions -- visual and cognitive. This is not a visual distraction, but it is certainly a cognitive distraction.
Here's a thought...let's focus on DRIVING when we are in the car driving. Why do we feel like we have to constantly be connected or entertained?
This said from just coming in from driving behind a car that was randomly braking in front of us in free flowing traffic. We pull up beside her to go around and guess what she was doing...you already know the answer -
How many fatalities is it going to take to reverse this trend?
Unfortunately, Nancy, I don't think this trend can be turned around. Consider the National Transportation Safety Board's declaration in 2011 that it wanted to outlaw phones and other electronic distractions in the vehicle. The result in the popular media -- radio shows, newspaper columns -- bordered on revolt. People aren't about to give up their phones. I agree with you that it would make drivers better if we forced them to stow their mobile phones in the trunk while driving (so they could use them in emergencies), but it's just not going to happen. That's why automakers are spending millions of dollars developing less distracting ways to use these new technologies. They're resigned to the fact that they aren't going to eliminate the distraction; they can only make it less so.
I understand now why my parents always said "it's not like the good old days." Boy, do I feel old. My horse is my alternate means of transportation but that is purely recreational. It's funny though - I ride to get away from everything and while I am grateful I have my cell phone in my pocket in case of an emergency, the last thing I want to do is actually have to use the thing. I'll see riders going along with their wireless headset chatting away on a cell call. If there horse spooks they could land in the dirt - and some horses will spook when they hear a ringtone. I actually spent some time desensitizing my horse to a cell phone ringing. Technology distractions are dangerous even on horseback!
That is a good point about over-regulation, Charles - sounds silly, doesn't it? But if the horse spooks and I fly off, I am hurting myself - not other riders. I could even drink and ride without putting others at risk. Just wish people would use common sense...driving a vehicle at high speeds while distracted by any means could end in tragedy for more than just the driver.
Voice Recognition software has come along way since it introduction in the late 80's early 90's. My 12 year old son was able to train the Dragon Speech software on my wife's Window 7 computer in less than 20 minutes. Now he's able to write his school papers by speaking instead of typing. If this software or something similar was used in vechicles as to a touchpad, then texting while driving would be less of a distraction. Also, operating infotainment systems in vehicles become hands-free like the Ford "Sync" technology because of voice recognition instead of interacting with a touchpad. Even with simple scripting commands on a touchpad provides a safety concern while driving because both hands and eyes are not on the road.
We looked at a number of sources to determine this year's greenest cars, from KBB to automotive trade magazines to environmental organizations. These 14 cars emerged as being great at either stretching fuel or reducing carbon footprint.
Researchers at MIT and Sandia National Labs have observed a reaction in lithium-air batteries that could help improve the design of these cells for electric vehicles and other applications.
Healthcare might seem to be an unlikely target application for the Internet of Things technology, but recent developments show small ways that big-data is going to make an impact on patient care moving into the future.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
4 
