Continental debuts steering wheel with swipe, gesture controls – “important step to automated driving”

Continental swipe and hand gesture steering wheel-01

Continental is currently developing a special steering wheel that supports swipes and hand gestures. Said steering wheel comprises two clear paddle-shift-like panels that are compatible with any control geometry and a “time-of-flight” sensor in the instrument cluster that detects hand motions.

There are no electronic components on the two transparent plastic panels. Drivers can swipe left or right with just their thumbs and confirm by tapping, almost like a touchpad. Obviously, this would allow drivers to navigate through sub-menus of the vehicle or apps. According to the company, the variable complexity ensures that the system can be integrated into different vehicle classes and not just in luxury segments.

As for gesture controls, the time-of-flight sensor consists of a 3D camera system and a 3D image sensor, which convert the infrared signal detected by said sensor into a 3D image. Here, the driver can just flick his fingers up or down, while keeping his hands on the steering wheel, to perform actions such as accepting or rejecting calls, among other possible actions.

Four hand gestures can be detected at the moment, these include setting the navigation, browsing through apps and starting music, answering calls and controlling the on-board computer. Initial reactions by test users proved positive as they welcomed the swipe and gesture controls and the intuitive learnability of the gestures, Continental stated.

“The development of a holistic human-machine interface is crucial for further strengthening the driver’s confidence in their vehicle. Building up this confidence, combined with an intuitive dialog between driver and vehicle is yet another important step on the road to automated driving, one that we are supporting with gesture-based control on the steering wheel,” said Ralf Lenninger, head of strategy, system development, and innovation in Continental’s interior division.

“With gestures in a clearly defined area on the steering wheel, we can minimize distraction and increase safety. This narrowing down also prevents the driver from unintentionally starting gesture-based control by means of their usual everyday gestures, and thus making unwanted selections,” Lenninger added.

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Graham Chin

Having spent a number of years as a journalist for a local paper, a marketing executive for a popular German automotive brand and a copywriter, Graham, a true-blue Sarawakian, knew he had to take the leap back into the motoring scene - and so he did. To him, nothing’s better than cruising for hours along a scenic route, in a car that’s designed and built for that purpose.

 

Comments

  • oh cool idea…

    perhaps gesture for paddle gear shift…invisible paddle shift :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Theres a reason F1 never have touchscreen or gesture based control.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Ollie on May 17, 2016 at 11:41 am

    Gosh they keep putting these things into cars, like Tesla’s giant touchscreen pad. In a collision, I don’t see how you might not die from having these shattered panels embedded in your head. Recently, heard of a case where the used CD some people like to hang from their rear mirror killing a driver in an accident.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • smart on May 17, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Do you want to get into an accident?
    Because that’s how you get into an accident.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • clutch_plate on May 17, 2016 at 1:42 pm

    People getting lazy already.. from autonomous, auto here, auto there.. and now these thing..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Josh Ling on May 17, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    i prefer real buttons to swipe and gesture control anytime. how the latter can be safer than the former is beyond me.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • takNakP1 on May 17, 2016 at 2:40 pm

    more distraction and eyes off the road = more accident

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Gracke on May 17, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    I definitely not agree with such steering technology, is not a steering anymore and is not practical!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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