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BOSCH -Driver workplace and cabin of the future; Structuring and organizing information variety(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 09 October 2013 Release date- 08102013 - Greater efficiency, more traffic, more information, new technical functions - a development with which freight forwarders, coach operators and their drivers are confronted more and more frequently. This calls for new technical solutions that commercial vehicle manufacturers must already explore today to be able to offer them to their customers tomorrow. As a leading global supplier of automotive technology, Bosch has applied its indepth expertise and mapped out a vision for the instrumentation of the driver workplace of the future - a vision that has become a reality people can experience, touch, and try out. The model on display at the Kortrijk Busworld shows how the technical innovations interact with information management designed by Bosch in a futuristic setup. 'Our visitors will experience a realistic view of how a driver can manage the great variety of information, communication and new functions in the workplace,' says Theo Drijfhout, Vice President of the Business Unit for Professional Systems at Bosch Car Multimedia. 'Above all, we want to make things easier for the driver.' This is what the Bosch experts call 'Driving Convenience'. A crucial element in this is the instrument cluster, working in concert with a central control unit and all its peripheral systems. Variety managed by electronics The commercial vehicle of the future will feature a wide array of information, communication options and functions. For fleet owners and drivers alike, this will offer greater economy, improved flexibility, enhanced safety and more convenient functions. What is more, the information and communication variety will grow significantly by the end of the decade: This will be driven by features including the integration of such assistance functions as driver drowsiness detection, driving lane detection and emergency braking systems, along with the integration of smartphones, new telematics services, software apps and even region- and OEM-specific functions. Structured vehicle operation That is why the developers have placed a strong focus on structured information and communication in the Bosch model. In this mock-up, the various functional units are networked via a central control unit and can thus communicate with one another and with the driver. At the same time, the central head unit also provides for communication to the outside world - into the cell phone network, through internet access or via Car-to-X communication with the infrastructure and/or other vehicles. An interactive instrument panel in the driver's range of activity To make this great variety of information a real driver benefit, however, it must be properly organized, clearly arranged and easy to use. The displays on the dashboard are focused on a large, freely programmable instrument cluster located directly within the driver's field of vision. It includes traditional round instruments, functional displays along with graphics for route planning or video sequences, e.g. from a reversing camera or a night vision system. The information offer displayed is flexibly adapted to each driving situation - important information appears large in the foreground of the instrument cluster, less important information is displayed smaller in the background, while user functions and such secondary information as route descriptions appear on the central display. This is where the driver can access the desired functions via customized user interfaces. Connected systems Another element in the new system is based on smartphone integration. In addition to its original functions for mobile telephony and internet communication, the phone also controls a number of individual functions. When the central head unit detects the smartphone, it automatically activates the personal adjustments of the seat position, outside rearview mirrors and personal radio station preferences. Another function very important for the driver is connected route planning. The fleet control center sends out the daily route with information on all intermediate stops via wireless communication. During the trip, the route is automatically adapted to any changes in traffic conditions and delays that occur are reported back. Because the system is connected with the digital tachograph, it knows when the driver has to take a break as specified by law. Working together with the navigation system, this new system is also able to recommend attractive restaurants to the driver and can even automatically reserve a parking space for the overnight stay. The coach cabin of the future In our increasingly networked multimedia society, future infotainment in coaches will also provide access to individual information offers in addition to the centrally managed entertainment program. Today, many passengers already bring their own tablets or smartphones along with them. Thus, in order to provide total travel enjoyment, it's important to make it possible for passengers to use their own devices and to provide them with direct internet access as well as local content on the vehicle server using dedicated server and router solutions. This new trend is known as 'bring your own device'. Using such vehicle servers, the coach operator can offer the passengers films, electronic magazines or interactive games and photos from the last stop, either on individual tablets or via the cabin monitors. Just like a tour guide, the driver can manage the different entertainment functions centrally and have safety information displayed right at the beginning of the trip, control the audio and video contents, allocate access privileges to individual passengers and provide access to the internet. Once these settings have been made before the trip begins, the driver can then concentrate completely on the most important task: safe driving. As a result, the Bosch model study is an enlightening and inspiring look at the future of mobility and communication. [Editorial queries for this story should be sent to [email protected]] ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2013 Electronic News Publishing - |