Ams OSram empowers automotive smart surfaces with advanced optical sensing technology

Ams OSram, as the world's leading optoelectronic solutions provider, has been committed to driving the intelligent development of the automotive industry through innovative technologies. With the rapid development of smart cars, the interaction mode in the car is also constantly evolving. Ams OSram uses advanced optical sensing technology and surface capacitive touch sensing technology to empower the surface of intelligent vehicles, especially in the HoD (Hands on Detection) scenario, which greatly enriches the interaction experience between drivers and cars.

Intelligent surfaces are a key component of future-oriented human-computer interaction technology, representing the direction of future automotive interior development, which can not only solve most of the shortcomings of the on-board display, but also add more intelligent new functions, bring higher design freedom, so as to better enhance the car experience and even improve safety.

The intelligent surface can be widely used in the automotive interior in the center console, doors, intelligent door decoration strip, intelligent steering wheel, intelligent glass, intelligent lighting, intelligent skylight and indoor door panels. This article will delve into how these technologies are implemented and applied in HoD scenarios, and analyze how they enable automotive smart surfaces.

Advanced optical sensing technology

Smart surfaces are increasingly contactless, and AMS OSram can install the BCM6345KPB sensor inside the smart surface, so that when the hand is close to these surfaces, the sensor can detect the change of the gesture without contact, and achieve the desired effect. The non-contact sensing of AMS OSram smart surfaces uses capacitive sensing technology. Capacitive sensing allows the car to detect tactile information from the driver and passengers, which is simple and efficient.

This sensing technology has a wide range of applications in the car, such as door opening and closing function, interior ambient light adjustment, acoustics adjustment and air conditioning temperature adjustment. Even if there is no direct contact, it can ensure high sensitivity, and the sensor has very low requirements for environmental conditions, and will not affect the recognition of gestures in the case of wet hands or wearing thick gloves.

Principle of surface capacitive touch sensing technology

Surface capacitive touch sensing technology is a mature touch technology, which creates a continuous capacitance field on the surface of the screen, when the finger touches the screen, a capacitance change is formed at the contact point, and by detecting this change, the system can accurately locate the touch point. Ams OSram uses this technology to develop touch solutions for automotive intelligent surfaces, such as the center console touch screen, touch door handles, etc. These applications not only provide a more intuitive and convenient way to operate, but also improve the user experience through accurate touch feedback.

Another highly successful use case of AMS OSram capacitive sensors is hands-free detection (HoD) for steering wheels. This feature can detect the driver's hands on the steering wheel, whether it is two-handed or one-handed operation, even a few fingers, or a knee against the steering wheel. The separate operation of the capacitors and resistors makes the steering wheel off-hand detection equally unaffected by environmental conditions.

Capacitive detection in HoD scenarios

HoD technology is the technology that can detect if a driver has both hands on the steering wheel. HoD is an important safety feature in autonomous and assisted driving systems. Ams Osram achieves accurate hand detection by applying surface capacitive touch sensing technology to the steering wheel surface. When the driver's hands touch the steering wheel, the system can detect changes in the capacitance field in real time, so as to determine whether the driver maintains the correct driving posture, ensuring that the automatic driving system operates under safe conditions.

MLA projection lighting solutions

Ams OSram's MLA (Micro LensArray) projection lighting solution provides a richer choice for intelligent surface human-computer interaction.

Many models now want to project iconic signals, such as vehicle logos or prompt signals. The traditional way is to use film to do the projection, but AMS Osram uses semiconductor process optical instruments, through the projection of small units to achieve the projection of the complete picture.

At present, the most popular application of MLA is the welcome light carpet lamp outside the car, such as the BMW series Angel Wings carpet lamp. In addition, there are also good application cases in the projection lighting of foot pedals and so on.

Conclusion

Ams OSram, with its deep accumulation in advanced optical sensing technology and surface capacitive touch sensing technology, has opened a new path for the development of automotive intelligent surfaces. Through the application of these technologies, not only greatly enrich the interaction between drivers and cars, improve driving safety and convenience, but also provide more creative space for car designers, and promote the development of the automotive industry towards a more intelligent and connected direction. In the future, with the continuous progress of these technologies and the expansion of applications, we have reason to believe that smart cars will bring people a safer, more comfortable and pleasant driving experience.