Data such as the speed and interior temperature of the vehicle is displayed on the front windshield via an 18-inch full-color heads-up display (HUD)

With the theme of “Peace of Mind, Safety and Comfort” ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. has set up a demo cockpit of the future, which showcases the latest sensor and detection technology to control inputs and driver display, etc.

The demo cockpit requires the driver to wear a Smart Ring, a wearable device. Just by wearing the Smart Ring, the vehicle will unlock and the door can be opened and closed. On the front windshield data such as the speed and interior temperature of the vehicle can be displayed, all on an 18-inch full-color heads-up display (HUD). The driver does not have to take their eyes off the road to understand what is happening inside and outside the vehicle – delivering safety and comfort in equal measure.

With a simple gesture with your hand to the left or right, you can cancel any incoming phone call or SMS

Furthermore, in terms of additional safety measures, the cockpit of the future is equipped with line of sight detection system technology. For example, let us imagine that during a drive someone in another vehicle is trying to overtake us on our left. The onboard HUD will instruct the driver to look at the left mirror, and when the driver does indeed look over to the left mirror, the line of sight detection system technology sees that action and then terminates the instruction. If the line of sight detection system technology cannot verify that the driver has looked to the left mirror, the indication is left on. Moreover, in addition to the HUD and the line of sight detection system technology, the steering wheel is also part of the sensor network and is equipped with a steering grip detection device, so that the driver can, without taking their hands off the wheel, lightly brush the wheel on the left or right to control the onboard air conditioning or audio, etc.

The Sensor Network Module is on display at the ALPS Electric booth, fitted to a ring-shaped device, which has been configured to operate and control a tablet

The interior of the cockpit is white, and blue LED lighting provides the illumination. The cockpit of the future has a high functional, refined design and in addition to peace of mind, safety and comfort, the driver is really immersed in the excitement and fun of driving.

Also at CEATEC JAPAN 2014, ALPS Electric scooped the CEATEC Innovation Awards “As Selected by US Journalists” in the Electronic Component Category for the Sensor Network Module, which consists of a sensor, Bluetooth® Smart and an antenna housed in one small package. The Sensor Network Module is also on display at the ALPS Electric booth, fitted to a ring-shaped device.