Making vehicle operation as intuitive as possible so as not to distract the driver contributes substantially to road safety. Preh's center console concept uses real glass surfaces that can be controlled with just a light touch. Selecting functions is made easier by visual, acoustic and haptic feedback. This intuitive operating concept enables increased traffic safety.
Since then, smartphone-typical gestures have progressively found their way into more vehicle models. Starting in the Audi A8 with an innovative multi-media interface that enabled character recognition in the touchpad, BMW has integrated touchpads in its iDrive controller since 2012, for example in the BMW 7 Series. The touchpads not only recognize characters, but also react to swipe and zoom gestures, just like a modern smartphone.
While driving, the driver's gaze must be directed towards the road and cannot be fixed on the screen, as smartphone users do. It is all the more important for a center console concept to consider this fact when operating the functions.
For this purpose, the main screen should be placed at the height of the instrument cluster and designed only as a display instrument, but not as a touchscreen. Ultimately, intuitive control operability is essential. Preh's center console concept is therefore equipped with active haptic feedback, i.e. when a function is selected, there is noticeable feedback.
Instead of countless buttons, the touchpad is designed as a central operating unit (Central Control).
Touching the touchpad in navigation mode, for example, makes the cursor visible on the display and enables the driver to operate it quickly with just one finger. The haptic feedback is also supplemented by visual feedback in the display.
In addition, the touchpad, made of curved real glass, leaves a very elegant impression on the operator. Not only optical, but also wear criteria were taken into account when selecting this material. The real glass is insensitive to scratches and chemicals.
Another innovation in Preh's center console concept is the real glass surface for climate control. This additionally contoured surface of Preh's climate control system is also equipped with active haptic feedback. On the one hand, it enables intuitive operation and, on the other hand, it is also a visual highlight in the center console.
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