Creating a New Customer Experience with Intuitive Touch Surfaces for Automotive Applications
A Project between Motherson and Sensel
EDITOR: JULIUS BERTHOLD
When Apple introduced its first iPhone in 2007, it was equipped with a capacitive touchscreen , which was a new and exciting display technology. Previous devices were usually equipped with resistive screens, which were error-prone and imprecise. Since Apple first brought the iPhone to market, touchscreens and touch surfaces have experienced rapid technological advancements with ever shorter innovation cycles, leaving the resistive touchscreen mostly a relic of the past. Motherson is seeking to take these advancements one step further and teamed up with Sensel to develop new touch surfaces that are no longer limited to displays alone.
Motherson and Sensel first met in March 2021 during one of STARTUP AUTOBAHN’s online events. Motherson’s advanced development teams for interior and exterior design evaluated the usability of the integrated touchpad from Sensel and the haptic feedback that it provides. Sensel’s product offers a unique combination of touch, force, and haptic solutions that can mimic the performance of capacitive touch and provide increased safety for users. This is achieved by tackling some major challenges, including the interaction with a touch sensor while wearing gloves and the occurrence of false touches. Sensel’s technology works by sensing force and can be integrated into a wide range of automotive interior materials such as leather, wood, and plastic.
The Project
The objective of the collaboration was the seamless integration of a touchpad underneath a premium leather material. Sensel provided the touchpad as well as the software to adjust the sensitivity and fine-tune the touch experience once the premium leather was combined with the touchpad. The process of integrating the touchpad took several iterations, until it would function properly and generate the desired haptic feedback experience. With Sensel’s direct drive haptics technology, the haptic feedback could even be dynamically adjusted when pressing on the touchpad.
Outcome
The project between Motherson and Sensel resulted in a working
prototype of a touchpad that can be integrated as an HMI component within the smart surface solution offering of Motherson. Looking ahead, Motherson and Sensel will further improve the haptic feedback and readiness for the automotive-grade touch panels and work on the touchpad’s functionality to allow more features. This could include an adaptive button or slider, depending on the preferences of the customer.
New use cases for Sensel’s technology could arise, for example in the areas of force sensing and haptics to guide the user to a particular button without having to look at the surface itself. These opportunities will enable Motherson to create a custom interface for customers and stay ahead of the market in respect to addressing future challenges.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Thomas-Agung Nu-
graha (Motherson), Ralf-Christian Bittner (Motherson), Ilya Rosen-
berg (Sensel) and Dean Chang (Sensel).
About STARTUP AUTOBAHN
STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play is a neutral innovation platform moderating an in-depth and curated collaboration between core partners from industry and young tech companies.The program is stage agnostic and designed to accelerate startups by connecting them to the right business units of our Corporate Partners in order to lay the groundwork of a successful cooperation and eventually outstanding pilot projects, implementations or investments.
Plug and Play Tech Center, Mercedes-Benz AG, ARENA2036, University of Stuttgart, ZF, DXC Technology, Porsche, BASF, Webasto, Motherson, DPDHL, Bosch, Schaeffler, STMicroelectronics, Murata, AGC, Hyundai, Linde, BP, Wieland, Faurecia, Eberspächer, ADAC, Sekisui, Plastic Omnium, Zenzic, Maxion, Novelis, ITT, Grupo Antolin, Huf Group, CEAT
Contact for this project
Johannes Dalheimer, Ventures Analyst, STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play, j.dalheimer@pnptc.com
Urszula Kosidlo, Open Innovation Manager, Motherson, urszula.kosidlo@motherson-innovations.com
Kerstin Gerdes, Senior Management Innovations and Program Management,
Motherson, kerstin.gerdes@motherson-innovations.com
