The definition of a smart cockpit has become broader as automotive technology develops. Various car models now have a smart cockpit, increasing the technology's penetration rate.
Suppliers said more time is required to determine the outlook of smart cockpit technology. Although the automotive industry has transitioned to EVs, developing electronic components and chips for the vehicle still takes three to five years compared to two to three years in the past. Smart cockpit development remains focused on humanized design and audio and visual entertainment.
The central console in the car has evolved from a mechanical design to touch panels that enable interaction between the driver and the vehicle. Suppliers said although the touch-panel-based central console initially encountered issues like safety concerns, the technology has crossed several hurdles with sensor integration and application maturity.
For example, the eye-tracking technology or the privacy design built into the touch panels can help monitor the driver's attention. With the enhanced AI technology, the driver can use voice control to adjust the air conditioner, audio volume, angle of car seats, or the lights in the cockpit to focus on driving.
The car cabin is poised to become the third living space. The large-sized displays can fulfill passengers' needs for audio and visual entertainment. With rearranging seats, the displays will also be handy for office meetings and travel.
Companies said smart cockpit technology has been the most attention-grabbing feature in many concept EVs besides the extended driving range and faster charging speed. However, these concept vehicles might take a long time to enter volume production due to costs, manufacturing techniques, and efficiency.
The industry has focused on humanized services and creating immersive experiences in the past three to five years.
For example, Taiwan-based Pegatron once said four trends will drive the development of smart cockpits. They are the interaction among multiple sensors, personalized setup, integrated platform, and immersive entertainment. Placing large displays and utilizing interactive technology in the cockpit is the first step. The key is establishing a comprehensive ecosystem and creating experiences that integrate users' habits.
Suppliers said smart cockpit technology can now be found in different levels of EVs. Based on the product design needs of car OEMs and tier-1s, eye-tracking, hand gesture recognition, and AI applications will be at the forefront of smart cockpit development. The situation is expected to drive the growth of semiconductors and automotive electronics.
