Develops on-board system prototype with prefixed settings
‘SIMPLIFY YOUR DRIVE’ (SyD) is a product from international automotive component maker, Continental, developed by the automotive group’s interior division.
The company feels that modern cars are loaded with electronics that are capable of delivering much greater functionality than the average driver uses today. It might even confuse the car users. Therefore, Continental has developed an on-board system prototype that comes with certain prefixed settings that can be switched on with a clearly marked button on the dashboard and users can pick the one that suits their mood. These are different from regular driving modes as the system does not just change the driving dynamics, like accelerator response and gear changes, but also transforms cabin lighting, suspension setting, air-conditioning and even the driver’s display shows information that is most relevant according to the selected driving mode.
This prototype was first introduced in Germany and other global markets and now Continental’s Indian arm has customised it specifically for our country.
The SyD on-board system provides three pre-configured profile sets: ‘Work’, ‘Play’ and ‘Home’. As the name suggests, the ‘Work’ mode would be ideal during office hours, when, in a typical Indian environment, the car is chauffeur-driven and the owner occupies the rear seat. Accordingly, the primary focus is the car’s rear cabin area. When you shift to ‘Play’ during casual late-night outings with friends or a weekend outing, when the owner drives the car himself, the mode shifts the focus to the driver’s seat with a sporty display theme and the overall performance of the car gets enhanced. The idea being that, ‘It’s your car, you have the power. Now go play!’ Finally, the ‘Home’ mode comes in handy when a car-owner is heading back home from work or is out with his/her family. This mode can be customised on the basis of whether the car is being driven by the owner or by a chauffeur. Everything during this mode is subdued and tuned to maximise comfort, with subtle ambiance lighting.
Based upon key identification, the focus of the car moves from the chauffeur seat to the rear cabin. The zones of the car change from a right-left conditioning of the HVAC to a front-rear focus, based upon the position where the owner of the car is seated. Audio focus and audio output
1. Work Mode: Suitable when the owner is being chauffeured. The rear seat screens display information like stock market updates and news. The owner can manage the car setting with his/her smart phone
2. Play Mode: This playful mode is ideal when the owner is behind the wheel. The focus shifts to the front of the cabin. Using the owner’s smart phone the system displays the location of his/her friends on the map. The car’s set-up becomes sportier and more fun to drive
3. Home Mode: Predominantly a family mode that adjusts the car’s set-up for economy. Displays information like nearby restaurant, cinema-hall with show timings, traffic pattern and even updates from social networking websites can be adjusted according to the seating location of the owner of the car. It also displays the content and settings of the engine, transmission, infotainment and comfort systems. In addition, one can also use one’s mobile phone to control various functions of the car and get information such as the location, fuel level and the kilometres covered, etc.
This interesting new system is in an advanced stage of development and once fully polished, it will be offered to automotive manufactures and might come as part of standard equipment of our future cars.
Story: Rommel Albuquerque
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
