New Technology & Application Research Notes

FUTURE BRIDGE (https://www.futurebridge.com/)

HMI TECHNOLOGY INVESTIGATE – Apr 11^th, 2022

Recently came across an excellent HMI Technology Summary from FutureBridge. Below are the highlights:

• Start-up Tanvas has developed a multi haptic solution that creates the haptic with the help of electrostatic forces and piezoelectric actuators. It creates electro adhesion by applying an electric field below the touch interface, which creates an inverse polarity. The electro adhesion can be modified at high frequency and pixel by pixel.
• Hap2U has developed a haptic technology that can integrate sensory intelligence into touch surfaces. It has a combined hardware and software solution. The hardware consists of a thin piezoelectric film solution which is approximately 2 microns in thickness and the software is responsible to provide a haptic feeling in the exact place where the touch has occurred.
• Ultraleap’s technology gesture controls and haptic feedback use ultrasound focused on the user’s hands via hand tracking technology to create the sense of touch in mid-air.
• Vastra is developing a steering wheel with health monitoring functionalities as it is a preferred way due to drivers’ continuous contact with the steering wheel while driving.

• EDAG has assisted Hyundai in the development of an innovative virtual cockpit and steering wheel. The specialists replaced all of the mechanical keys on the steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls in the form of touch displays.
• Jaguar Land Rover’s Sensory Steering Wheel provides thermal cues by using heat to tell drivers when to turn left or right with the help of navigation data. The cues work on both sides of the steering wheel, indicating the direction to turn by rapidly warming or cooling one side by a difference of up to 6C̊.
• Jaguar Sensory Steering Wheel provides thermal cues by using heat to tell drivers when to turn left or right with the help of navigation data to reduce driver distraction reduction which is a growing concern for automakers and regulatory authorities
• CurveSyS is not only used for driver monitoring but also has the mechanism of hand recognition for autonomous driving registration.
• Boréas Technologies, a provider of haptic feedback solution Zero-power wake-up sensing circuit in piezoelectric haptic feedback
• CapDriveTM Technology is scalable high-voltage piezo driver architecture. It has been designed from the ground up, especially for piezoelectric haptic actuators. The piezo haptic drivers, which are all based on CapDriveTM Technology, allow OEMs all over the world to easily integrate high-definition haptic effects into every form factor.
• Boréas Technologies’ Piezo Driver chip advanced realistic Haptic Feedback in Automotive HMIs and they announced a relationship with TDK Electronics to advance touch-response for Automotive.

Piezoelectric actuators have the capability of creating multi- touchpoint arrays in multi-touch haptic, static deflection, independent frequency, amplitude, and phase control capabilities. Start-ups are focusing on providing an innovative solution where the user can actually feel the texture of the touch either by deploying ultrasound or piezoelectric technology. Tier-1 Integrators are deploying haptic in their vehicles and product offerings from Ultraleap and Immersion respectively in order to provide more engaging user interaction and experience.

Per FutureBridge start-ups are trying to bring advancement in the way we feel haptic. As vehicles are producing bigger and curvier screens, dampening them becomes more of a cumbersome task. Haptic is not only limited to displays but players like Ultraleap are taking it a step forward by integrating gesture and haptic feedback to provide a haptic sense in mid-air. Where studies are claiming that the infotainment systems cause more distraction to the driver, such interfaces with gesture and mid-air haptics will be beneficial over these claims. It can not only reduce distraction but also eyes off road according to the other studies. This can be seen in the graph that shows the combination of haptic and gesture reduces the off-road glace time as compared to the combination of other technologies. Again, refer FutureBridge if you want to read the detailed analysis.

The EDAG assisted the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre (HMETC) with the development of an innovative virtual cockpit and steering wheel. EDAG’s specialists replaced all of the mechanical keys on the steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls in the form of touch displays. The driver will have to touch with more pressure to eliminate false commands and he will also get notified about the press using haptic feedback

Tesla patents a steering wheel with gesture control, and touchpads. A digitally controlled steering wheel will make navigation more efficient and safer. The new driving controls additionally comes with indicators for selective gear engagement, and these will be placed at the lower end of the steering wheel. Illuminated signs will indicate park, reverse, neutral, or drive modes

An inventor from InventHelp has developed the SMART WHEEL, an advanced automotive steering wheel, and app. The steering wheel will stop drunk and marijuana-impaired drivers from operating motor vehicles.

Breath-Regulating Garments: A new kind of fiber developed by researchers at MIT and in Sweden can be made into clothing that senses how much it is being stretched or compressed, and then provides immediate tactile feedback in the form of pressure, lateral stretch, or vibration. Such fabrics, the team suggests, could be used in garments that help train singers or athletes to better control their breathing, or that help patients recovering from disease or surgery to recover their breathing patterns. To review Click Tactile Feedback Garments.

Have researched few other products that may be of interest to both OEMs and Tier-1 Technology Application Specialist.

1. The Boson is a commercial off-the-shelf, small, uncooled, IR camera based on microbolometer technology and operates in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) portion of the IR spectrum. It is available with several lens configurations. NASA’s modifications allow the IR camera to survive high-vibration environments (e.g., launch) and improve heat removal for operation in a range of harsh conditions including vacuum.
2. A real-time 3D motion tracking system combines transparent light detectors with advanced neural network methods to create a system that could one day replace LiDAR and cameras in autonomous technologies. The imaging system exploits the advantages of transparent, nanoscale, highly sensitive graphene photodetectors. Refer Univ of Michigan for more details.
3. Transparent glass previously could not be molded using this process. With the new “Glassomer” glass injection molding technology from a special granulate, it is now possible to mold glass in high throughput at 130 °C. The injection-molded components are then converted into glass in a heat treatment process — the result is pure quartz glass. The process requires less energy than conventional glass melting, resulting in energy efficiency. The formed glass components have a high surface quality, so that post-treatment steps such as polishing are not required. Refer Tech Briefs.
4. Researchers have created a lithium-metal battery that lasts for 600 cycles, meaning it can be fully charged and discharged 600 times before it dies. While the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles today hold less energy, they last longer — typically at least 1,000 cycles. But vehicles won’t go as far on one charge as they would with an effective lithium-metal battery. For more information contact Tom Rickey at rickey@pnnl.gov.
5. Flexible electronics promise bendable, shapeable, yet energy-efficient computer circuits that can be worn on or implanted in the human body to perform myriad health-related tasks. Among suitable materials for flexible electronics, two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have shown promise because of their excellent mechanical and electrical properties, even at the nanoscale, making them better candidates than conventional silicon or organic materials. For more information, contact Taylor Kubota at tkubota@stanford.edu.

6. Material Increases Efficiency of LED Devices – the approach achieves near 100% light emission efficiency at all brightness levels. This is more of core technology understanding so recommend that for more information contact Rachel Berkowitz at media@lbl.gov.
7. Inkjet Printing of Metamaterials: Engineers at Tufts University developed methods to more efficiently fabricate metamaterials that behave in unusual ways when interacting with microwave energy. The innovation constructs the metamaterials using low-cost inkjet printing, making the method widely accessible and scalable while also providing benefits such as the ability to be applied to large conformable surfaces or interface with a biological environment. For more information contact NASA’s Licensing Concierge.
8. Binder introduced safety clips for miniature and subminiature connectors. The clips feature three snap-in lugs that produce an audible click to confirm when the connector is properly latched. The clips can also be fastened with cable ties. They are suited for applications where it is crucial that connections are not interrupted or loosened. Refer https://www.binder-usa.com/us-en/.

Nanowave Air is a device that can inactivate Covid particles in air by using UVC Light providing a person with contact stream of ‘clean air. It could also create a shield if designed for in-vehicle application

INNOPHASE Low Power Smart Wireless Solutions Company

https://innophaseinc.com/

Taking Advantage of Talaria TWO’s Technology – with so much programmability and functionality built into the Talaria TWO platform InnoPhase created solutions enabling integrator to deliver the best performance in the shortest amount of time. Solutions are tuned and optimized with integrator needs in mind. They include hardware, complete software packages and reference design files. Some solutions have been co-developed with partners producing outstanding results by utilizing the individual resources in the most efficient manner possible through hybrid processing approach.

In-Vehicle Health & Wellness Sensor Option

• Sensor technology from Movesense (https://www.movesense.com/)
• Uses BLE for wireless connectivity today
• InnoPhase is integrating our Ultra-Low Power Wi-Fi to enable Cloud Connectivity

Movesense is an open sensor development platform for measuring movement and physiology. It is  an open sensor development platform for sports, health, research, manufacturing, and more. It’s easy and innovative tools allow you to build your own wearable device quickly and cost-efficiently. Movesense is maintained by the Finnish sports watch expert Suunto.

Movesense Architecture gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility to create your own sensor solutions for all kinds of use cases.

Makes any piece of apparel and gear ready for digital features. The smart version has an individual ID that gives the sensor context awareness. Tiny, durable, water-resistant motion sensor that can track anything that moves. Runs your own apps, comes with your own logo.

For more information on Movesense Click https://www.movesense.com/overview/.

Smart Actuators are making operation of heavy-duty vehicles and mobile off-highway (MOH) equipment easier, safer, and less expensive. Thanks to digital intelligence and connectivity built into the actuator housing itself, smart linear actuators can track critical parameters remotely and react to them automatically. They can deliver real-time operating status, and network flexibly and inexpensively with other systems. Smart actuators communicate with a vehicle’s electronic control unit (ECU), reducing the need for multiple, single function controllers or multiple ECUs.  Refer Thomson Linear.

Nanotech OLED Electrode Frees 20% More Light: A new electrode that could free up 20% more light from organic light-emitting diodes has been developed at the University of Michigan. It could help extend the battery life of smartphones and laptops or make next-gen televisions and displays much more energy efficient. Refer Printed Electronics World.

Stretchable and Flexible Circuits represent a relatively modern technology that is achieving a wide range of uses thanks to their components’ ability to be bent, twisted, and adapted to complex non-planar surfaces. Stretchable elastomers that can reversibly withstand extreme curvatures are commonly used as soft substrates in a wide range of electronic devices such as thermoplastic polyurethane, styrene-butadiene rubber, and natural rubber. Refer Panasonic Stretchable Circuits.

Domain and Zonal Automotive Architectures : Many embedded solutions are designed around a domain-oriented approach—specific ECU modules provide a function and controlled devices, or sensors are wired to the module for computation can be performed locally. Example is multi position seat & headrest seat where motor-control system that is paired with multiple seat motors.

It becomes more challenging if sensors and devices are farther from the control module because of the additional wiring and interfacing that is involved in the solution. Thus, a networked-zone approach can provide better scalability as well as improved reliability and functionality. Typically, a central compute complex is linked to the sensors and devices through networked zonal gateways.

The zonal architecture scales better for numerous reasons, including providing a backbone for a software-driven framework. The approach simplifies cabling: Gateways are closer to sensors and devices they will be working with, and cabling between gateways and hosts is less complex. Refer Electronic Design.

GHSP Programmable, Intelligent UV-C Sanitization Products recognizes when a surface or environment has been used and automatically begins treatment for harmful pathogens using UV-C light. It uses grēnlite™ utilizes industry-leading UV Angel® technology which features a patented system of integrated smart sensors that detect when a vehicle is unoccupied and automatically emits a dose of UV-C light that treats interior surfaces and the air in the vehicle. After each surface interaction, the sensors determine when it is necessary to initiate the next cleaning cycle. The system has been designed to withstand crash test requirements and is virtually maintenance free. Refer MOTORTREND.

Shelly Air new air-purifying unit that uses UVC waveform within ultraviolet light that dismantles the DNA of living organisms to kill bacteria and germs. The device sucks air in through a filter and sterilizes it with UVC light before re-emitting it back into the room. However, the waveform of this light can be dangerous to humans, and so the purifier encases the lamps within the aluminum body to prevent any light radiation coming into contact with the skin and eyes.

Thermal Imaging Cameras: Existing vehicle sensors offer important information about a vehicle’s surroundings, there have been several documented cases in which these sensors did not analyze their environment properly, leading to collisions. Infrared (IR) cameras, or thermal imaging cameras, are not currently used in commercial autonomous driving sensory systems. These sensors can offer additional information to existing autonomous driving sensory systems, leading to improved performance in identification of objects within a vehicle’s surroundings and better driving reactions. For more information review research CLICK Focus World Article by Elliot Yixin Huangfu & Ben Miethig

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) tires utilization of shape memory alloys provides enhanced control over the effective stiffness as a function of the deformation, providing increased design versatility. The tire can be made to soften with increased deflection, reducing the amount of energy transferred to the vehicle during high-deformation events. In addition, the use of SMAs in the form of radial stiffeners, as opposed to springs, provides even more load-carrying potential and improved design flexibility. SMART Tire Company has been developing shape memory alloy tires for traditional bicycles and is conducting R&D for e-scooters at Spin, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Co. The airless solution could minimize environmental impacts of traditional rubber tires.

Stretchable Wideband Dipole Antenna System capable of wirelessly transmitting data that is collected from health-monitoring sensors. The system consists of two stretchable metal antennas integrated onto conductive graphene material with a  metal coating.  The wideband design of the system allows it to retain its frequency functions even when  stretched, bent, and twisted. This system is then connected to a stretchable rectifying circuit, creating a rectified antenna, or “rectenna,” capable of converting energy from electromagnetic waves into electricity. This electricity that can be used to power wireless devices or to charge energy storage devices, such as batteries and supercapacitors.

Large-Scale Integrated Circuits produced in printing press Researchers at Linköping University and RISE, Campus Norrköping, have shown for the first time that it is possible to print complete integrated circuits with more than 100 organic electrochemical transistors. The result has been published in Nature Communications.

Printing electronic circuits with a line width of approximately 100 micrometers also places high demands on the print technology, and the printed electronics research has here been aided by the graphics industry. They have developed screen printing frames with meshes that can print extremely fine lines. And many hours of research were needed to develop printing ink with the right properties.

Fully Recyclable Printed Electronics developed at Duke University demonstrating a crucial and relatively complex computer component — the transistor — created with three carbon-based inks, the researchers hope to inspire a new generation of recyclable electronics to help fight the growing global epidemic of electronic waste. For more information Click Researchers Demonstrate Fully Recyclable Printed Electronics.

Ultra HD 3D Holographic Head-Up Display Could Improve Road Safety as researchers have developed the first LiDAR-based augmented reality head-up display for use in vehicles. Tests on a prototype version of the technology suggest that it could improve road safety by ‘seeing through’ objects to alert of potential hazards without distracting the driver. The technology, developed by researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and University College London (UCL), is based on LiDAR (light detection and ranging), and uses LiDAR data to create ultra high-definition holographic representations of road objects which are beamed directly to the driver’s eyes, instead of 2D windscreen projections used in most head-up displays. For more details Click 3D Holographic Displays.

Stanford researchers devise way to see through clouds and fog. Using a new algorithm, Stanford researchers have reconstructed the movements of individual particles of light to see through clouds, fog and other obstructions. This technique complements other vision systems that can see through barriers on the microscopic scale – for applications in medicine – because it’s more focused on large-scale situations, such as navigating self-driving cars in fog or heavy rain and satellite imaging of the surface of Earth and other planets through hazy atmosphere. For more information Click Stanford Vision Systems.

Heated Face Mask: Engineers design a heated face mask to filter and inactivate coronaviruses. The reusable mask would include a heated copper mesh that’s powered by a battery and surrounded by insulating neoprene. Face masks have been shown to be effective at filtering out viruses such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby reducing the risk of infection. A team of researchers from MIT now hopes to go one step further and create a mask that inactivates viruses using heat.

The researchers aim to build masks that incorporate a heated copper mesh. As the person wearing the mask breathes in and out, air flows repeatedly across the mesh, and any viral particles in the air are slowed and inactivated by the mesh and high temperatures. Such a mask could be useful for health care professionals, the researchers say, as well as members of the public in situations where social distancing would be difficult to achieve, such as a crowded bus. For more information Click MIT News.

CudoForm Stamped Metallic Optical Components: High-volume stamping (Latin: CUDO) of accurate
shapes (FORM) for optical components. Advantages are as below:

• Metal Properties: Laser weldable, Solderable, Plateable, Ridged and rugged & Thermally conductive.
• Reflective Optics: Beam shaping, redirecting beams, Expanding beams & Linear arrays of mirrors.
• Accurate Shapes and Locations: Accurate location of features, Passive or active alignment for optical fibers, lenses, filters, integrated circuits, substrates, and Accurate free-form optics.

PCN Air Filters Design Coatings: Photo-Catalytic Nano Materials” ΙΚΕ (https://pcnmaterials.com/) is leveraging results of the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, and in particular a series of patents on innovative photocatalytic (PC) nano-materials that degrade gaseous and liquid pollutants, purify waste, disrupt non-polluting and non-toxic odors and degrade pathogenic organisms.

Potential applications are for disinfection using their photocatalytic process, Anti-Bacterial through range of novel photocatalysts proven effective on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria inactivation exhibiting a 7 Log reduction of population within 30min of exposure to light exposure. PCN materials has developed novel photocatalysts proven to reducing the population of the well-known MS2 phage to a level of 99,9%. Also is applying Heterogeneous photo-catalysis based on modified TiO2 , a promising technology, producing novel high-performance photocatalytic materials operating under the influence of solar and/or artificial (indoor) lighting, proved most effective both, on improving indoor air quality. (IAQ) tackling the “Sick Building Syndrome” and outdoor air particularly effective on reducing high NOx and VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) concentration levels.

Successfully applied in an air conditioning system the led strip in combination with a commonly used HEPA dust filter for air conditioners and air purifiers, coated with our material. This combination could be one more cheap alternative for automotive filter unit.

XPEL RX^TM  Antimicrobial Surface Protection Film uncoated high performance aliphatic film with an additional antimicrobial hard coat top layer. Formulated with antimicrobial properties that protect against growth of mildew and bacteria on the film, Argotec™ Antimicrobial Film is designed for use on a variety of shared surfaces that may regularly be in contact by multiple users. These applications include electronic displays & touch screens and other in-vehicle shared surfaces. It has been effectivity tested against standard JISZ-and Argotec Antimicrobial Film is ideal for protection along with UV resistance, durability, stain resistance and consistent optical clarity with a high gloss finish.

​Electronic Textiles: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology and the Wallenberg Wood Science Center have been working with electrically conductive fibers for electronic textiles for several years. The focus was previously on silk, but now the discoveries have been taken further through the use of cellulose. Sewing the electrically  conductive cellulose threads into a fabric using a standard household sewing machine, the researchers have now succeeded in producing a thermoelectric textile that produces a small amount of electricity when it is heated on one side – for example, by a person’s body heat. At a temperature difference of 37 degrees Celsius, the textile can generate around 0.2 microwatts of electricity.

The production process for the cellulose thread has been developed by co-authors from Aalto University in Finland. In a subsequent process, the Chalmers researchers made the thread conductive through dyeing it with an electrically conductive polymeric material. The researchers’ measurements show that the dyeing process gives the cellulose thread a record-high conductivity – which can be increased even further through the addition of silver nanowires. In tests, the conductivity was maintained after several washes.

Light-Emitting Tattoo: Scientists at UCL and the IIT –Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology) have created a temporary tattoo with light-emitting technology used in TV and smartphone screens, paving the way for a new type of “smart tattoo” with a range of potential uses. The technology, which uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), is applied in the same way as water transfer tattoos. That is, the OLEDs are fabricated on to temporary tattoo paper and transferred to a new surface by being pressed on to it and dabbed with water. OLEDs could be tattooed on packaging or fruit to signal when a product has passed its expiry date or will soon become inedible or used for fashion in the form of glowing tattoos.

Strainsert Wireless Load Pin is a high-performance wireless telemetry solution where wired installation may be difficult, cost prohibitive, or undesirable. The system provides long battery life along with high measurement accuracy, resolution, and stability. Software tools are included for quick and convenient interfacing with device configuration, calibration, datalogging, and recording.

Product features and benefits are License free 2.4GHz telemetry, Range of transmission up to 800 m (2,600 ft), Long battery life, Ideal for single or multiple sensor systems, Load pin or Shackle Bolt with attached wireless transmitter, Transmitter is made to fit either custom or standard clevis pins and Software tools included.

Operating Temperature Range -20 to 55 °C (-4 to 131 °F) and Humidity 0 to 95 %RH, Wireless Data transmission rate 250,000 bps, Wireless Data transmission interval 5, minimum (333 typical) msec, RF Frequency Range 2.4000 – 2.4835 GHz, RF Transmit Power 10 mW and 15 channels RF Channels (DSSS).

Beneq Translucent Keyless Entry Eystems, granting or revoking access is instant and straightforward. There is no need to get new keys, wait for the old keys to return, or keep a set of backup keys. For shared vehicles, keyless entry is convenient.

A keyless entry system provides better access control and reduces the risk of unwanted entries using a duplicate key. The passcode can be changed from time to time. Currently there are different keyless entry locks available and the one on Ford / Lincoln Vehicles is probably the most popular. Below are five technologies currently in market.

1. Keypad Lock: Can be accessed by typing a passcode.
2. Touchscreen Lock: Use a touch screen instead of a mechanical keypad for inputting the passcode.
3. Biometrics Lock: Use fingerprints to control access but consistent fingerprint read is a concern.
4. Z-wave enabled Lock: Locks with Z-wave connected to a smart hub to remotely lock or unlock.
5. Flex-lock and Auto-Lock: Can set lock to automatically relock after a few seconds of inactivity.

With a new transparent in-glass display technology, a keypad lock can be integrated into shared or personal vehicles glass door or window. The transparent touch display with a keypad function laminates the transparent thin film display between two glass layers. It is invisible until someone touches a specific area.

LUMINEQ solution comes with the display glass, FPC (flex cable) and driving electronics. With this display, you can bring a fully transparent keypad solution for applications using authorized coded entry in vehicles. For extra security interface of the display is through CAN.

School Bus Safety Monitoring and Switch / Other HMI Devices: Blue Bird has joined collaboration with Audi of America, Applied Information and Temple to deploy cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology aimed at reducing vehicle hazards that vulnerable schoolchildren face every year.

Application from this program is designed to warn drivers via instrument displays and audio alerts when they are approaching an active school safety zone or exceeding the speed limit when children are present. In addition, aims to warn drivers when they are approaching a school bus stopped to pick up or drop off students. In this application, onboard units (OBU) are being developed to broadcast C-V2X safety messages from school buses to C-V2X-equipped vehicles when the bus stop arm is extended to indicate no passing is allowed. The project is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021. Several studies have also reported that stop-arm violations continue to be one of the greatest dangers to schoolchildren. Refer Blue Bird.

Camera systems can monitor student and driver behavior during routes and record the external environment. It’s an excellent way to get data after the event. A typical school bus camera system may consist of 2 to 8 dome or wedge specialized mobile cameras, a mobile digital video recorder, wiring harnesses, and video playback and archiving software. G-sensor measures any amount of force exerted on the vehicle during the route. Panic button alarms are triggered by drivers to mark when an incident occurred, so it is more easily retrievable and searchable in the recording. GPS installed on a bus records the position and speed of the vehicle for the entirety of the route.

3D Printing: A new company called Mantle offers 3D printing equipment and materials that boast unique suitability for producing injection mold components, overcoming limitations of other printing methods. Refer https://www.mantle3d.com/.

Scratch Resistant PP Compounds: Newly developed PP-based material of the new Complus Concept family is virgin raw material-based compound Polyfill PP EP317R UV, which boasts both high scratch resistance and UV stability, together with excellent mechanical properties and reportedly unlimited coloration possibilities. These features are said to make the material an optimum choice for interior automotive applications. Refer Polykemi.

Antimicrobial Fluoropolymers for Films: A new line of antimicrobial, melt-processable copolymers composed of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and a specialty additive that is said to safely block bacterial and viral growth, has been introduced by AGC Chemicals America, Exton, Penn.  The ready-to-use Fluon+ EM-20010 compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria, including the COVID-19 virus. They are touted as an ideal material for extruded film applications that benefit from antimicrobial properties such as coverings for high-touch surfaces.

Refer https://www.agcchem.com/fluon-antimicrobial-comparison-request/.

Heat-Staking Process for Auto Interior Trim, Lighting Electronics, Medical Devices patented nanoSTAKE uses a proprietary Smart Respond heating technology with an embedded temperature sensor for true closed-loop process control to rapidly heat and cool a punch to stake plastic. The low‑current (1.5 A), high‑performance heater heats the punch to a programmed melt temperature in seconds and forms the boss into a stake. Once the punch reaches the correct height, it rapidly cools to a programmed release temperature and retracts with no sticking. The whole process can happen in less than 5 seconds and can stake bosses as small as 0.5 mm. Additional features include exporting data, validation mode, teach mode, and extensive quality monitoring. Refer EXTOL

Antimicrobial Based on Elemental Zinc Reduces Coronavirus on Surfaces by Up to 99%. The additive had already been shown to allow plastics manufacturers to create self-sanitizing products with an antibacterial property of up to 99% within 24 hours, as determined according to ISO22196 with gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria. The latest information is said to prove that Saniconcentrate will be a strong and safe tool in preventing the spread of viruses in the future.  With Saniconcentrate, Parx Materials has created a way to make plastic intrinsically resistant to bacteria and viruses. The additive is homogenously incorporated into plastics to create an ‘immune system’ inherent to the material. The technology makes use of the one of the body’s most abundant trace elements: zinc. Refer https://www.parxmaterials.com/.

Easy Mold Release PC:  A very high-flow, easy-mold-release polycarbonate allowed Brazilian molder Industries Arteb SA to reduce development costs by using its existing injection molding machine to produce a thinner automotive front lighting bezel for a new compact sport utility vehicle. Super-high-flow Lexan HF used in this thinner lighting bezel helped optimize the manufacturing process for improved overall efficiency, including scrap reduction. Refer High Flow Lexan for LED Headlights.

Snap in Wireless Dome Light Assembly: Design HMI has been developing smart Class A surfaces by integrating electronic circuits on B side of HMI Surfaces. The smart electronics is designed to meet feature requirements.

Features are Ambient light through wireless / wired door opening signal, Battery power with 5+ years cycle life, LH / RH Capacitive Touch timed reading light ON feature, 35% System Cost Reduction Over Current Designs, can be Snap-In or 3M Adhered to Roof Liner / Trim and Thickness 8 mm to 10 mm. In addition, feature Adds without Redesign are 95% CRI light color adjust from Warm (2000K) & Cool (4500K), Intensity Adjust – Low & High, Potential for Bluetooth control from seat position, Seat Occupancy Detect, Easy Integration into updated OVH Console Design and Snap in Pogo-Pin connectors for wired connectivity.

Refer http://www.designhmi.com/2017/05/02/overhead-console-map-light-reading-lamp-design/

Energy Efficient Seat Thermal Comfort in Intelligent, Integrated System: Design target is micro-climate seat-centric climate control system for 30% overall reduction in energy to achieve equal/superior comfort. Comfort is evaluated by maintaining EHT within ±1oC.

• Design & integrate two zone ClimateSenseTM system into Chevy Bolt EV.
• Microclimate heating and cooling elements.
• Design for efficient components and effective integration in vehicles.

Heating Comfort: Body naturally manages heat flow to provide energy to our core. Direct heating of back and cushion is the most efficient heating method. Large blood vessels deliver heat to organs and periphery. Neck heating is gateway to delivering instant heating sensation.

Cool Comfort: In hot weather the body manages heat while trying to reach physiological comfort through Evaporation/sweating / Conductive cooling / Convective cooling /Radiative cooling. Additional discomfort is achieved through sensation of wetness. Sweating is a function of average skin temperature.

ClimateSense™ Heating & Cooling Subsystem Architecture:

Refer Microclimate Comfort System concept solution for Increasing Driving Range of Electric Vehicles design solution as developed by General Motors LLC and Gentherm LG Innotek Nexlide-E Exterior Automotive Lighting platform that combines LEDs and optical film to deliver uniform illumination and options in shape and size. The company expects the technology to serve in both rear-and forward-facing roles and to deliver brighter performance while offering flexibility including the ability of one solid-state lighting (SSL) module to service multiple functions. LG Innotek has designed its lightweight LED modules with a 0.2-mm-thick optical film that improves brightness for automotive applications by 63%, the company says. (Photo credit: Image courtesy of LG Innotek.). Samsung Electronics has announced a new Auto Headlamp Technology PixCell that enables control of 100 individual pixels or segments in what appears to be a monolithic LED chip. The design uses barriers grown into the structure between adjacent pixels to eliminate crosstalk and enables the device to deliver a contrast ratio of 300:1. Meanwhile, the functionality of a headlamp based on PixCell is captured in software that controls the driver electronics, enabling a headlamp to deliver high beam, low beam, or adaptive drive beam (ADB) functionality. 3D Molded Interconnect Device (MID) Technology replaces circuit boards by utilizing a 3-dimensional circuit on molded plastic to fit the space of small applications. The 3D shape also allows a more compact integration of electrical components into the available space.

Kimblade Nano (https://www.kimblade.com/technology/)  uses Carbon Nano Tubes in the wiper blades. The silicone and CNT blades last MUCH longer than traditional rubber blades do, and they sport a rectangular edge that is much more efficient at picking up and sweeping water away from the glass windshield. Unlike other wipers that use a squeegee-style flat surface, the KIMBLADE NANO’s rectangular edge makes a more precise edge contact with the windshield. In doing so, it does not spread or relocate the water the way other wipers do, it completely wipes it out of the way, giving you a clean pane of glass. The rectangular profile of the KIMBLADE NANO even allows it to change directions as your wiper moves back and forth, moving smoothly as opposed to some wipers that end up creating that unpleasant rubbery noise as they drag against the glass surface like fingernails on a chalkboard.