Siemens VDO Automotive SAE Technical Paper Details Improved Human Machine Interface Concepts

DETROIT, March 3 -- Siemens VDO Automotive is this week presenting the advantages of improved human-machine interface (HMI) concepts for reducing driver distraction. This topic is among eight Siemens VDO Automotive technical presentations being delivered during the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress being held March 3-6 at Cobo Center in Detroit.

Increasing onboard functions in vehicles have placed a greater demand on drivers to process information and operate vehicle controls, while simultaneously concentrating on driving. Improved HMI is perceived as an important solution to reducing driver distraction, an initiative being urged by federal safety legislators and vehicle makers.

The Siemens VDO Automotive paper explores HMI concepts developed and implemented in a functioning cockpit concept study, called BREEZE. BREEZE better utilizes the steering wheel's inherent ergonomic advantages, allowing drivers to maintain focus on the road, while reducing many unnecessary distractions.

The cockpit concept of the future features mobile Internet access and smooth surface only interrupted by a primary control knob and required safety switches. Main menu functions are controlled directly from the steering wheel through integrated, multi-function, rolling thumb switches. Drivers easily navigate through on-board system menus by manipulating the roller switches to move a cursor in corresponding directions.

The BREEZE cockpit further improves HMI by relocating turn signals and hazard lights switches to integrated finger trays. The concept eliminates the need for traditional steering column-mounted instrument control stalks by utilizing rain sensors to activate windshield wipers, a running light assistant to control headlights and repositioned interior illumination controls to the driver-side door.

The paper also addresses the next generation of road safety features in the cockpit concept. To help drivers stay alert, the on-board computer vibrates the steering wheel when recognizing potentially dangerous situations, such as an excessive increase in vehicle speed, insufficient distance between other vehicles on the road or the subtle drift of unintended lane departure.

A rotating tactile feedback knob located on the center console controls infotainment functions. The tactile control knob, used in conjunction with a large display monitor, gives the driver access to a variety of vehicle functions through an intuitive menu interface. Various aspects of the BREEZE cockpit concept are expected to be introduced on vehicles as soon as the next model year.

Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering gasoline and diesel powertrain technologies, safety and chassis systems, body electronics, plus interior products including infotainment systems. Worldwide sales reflecting fiscal year 2001/2002 totaled $8.5 billion. For more information: www.usa.siemensvdo.com .

Siemens AG , headquartered in Munich, is a leading global electronics and engineering company. It employs 426,000 people in 192 countries and reported worldwide sales of $77.8 billion in fiscal 2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02).

The United States is Siemens' largest market in the world, with sales of $21.5 billion in fiscal 2002 and approximately 70,000 employees in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Corporate headquarters for Siemens' U.S. businesses are located in New York City. For more information: www.usa.siemens.com .

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