Adaptive functions that adapt to the user and user-friendly, intuitive functional areas are integrated into the surfaces of the cockpit or door panels - turning the interior into an experience space. However, this presents designers and developers with special challenges. Innovative interior concepts can be realized with new materials.
New materials enable new concepts: The material of the side trim and dashboard support in the BMW i3 is made from the mallow plant kenaf. (Photo credit: BMW Group)
New materials in the cockpit: glass
Transparent, conductive coatings are familiar from various applications, from smartphone touchscreens to solar cells. Based on this, the start-up company Pro-Innovatio from Ottobrunn, Germany, has developed a unique lighting concept that makes this technology usable for the center console as well. Electricity via coated glass enables unprecedented degrees of freedom for new and effective lighting solutions.
In this system, glass is coated on the underside with a conductive, invisible coating of indium tin oxide. The coating is divided by laser cuts into electrically separated areas, which are connected to the power supply via printed silver tracks on the back of the glass. The separation lines can be made extremely fine and are only perceptible under direct, intense illumination. Special control elements can be variably positioned along these dividing lines.
The necessary current they receive thereby over the coating - invisibly and without disturbing cables. The so-called LightPads have a special adhesive surface. Likewise, switches and controls, indicators, instruments and displays can be "put on" for center consoles. In the case of the glass cockpit, integration is achieved through classic hardware and cabling. The projection and virtual interaction can be adapted to ergonomic requirements.
