Inner space: Technology is changing the way interior designers think about space and function in a vehicle - The Shape of Things to Come - Brief Article

Automotive Industries, Jan, 2002 by Michelle Krebs

As the exterior shapes of cars and trucks change, so do their interiors. New vehicle sizes and packages offer interior designers more space to develop. At the same time, precious real estate inside the vehicle is being sought after for new electronics and storage systems.

The new architectures with high rooflines could allow for some radically different interior designs and new aesthetics. Yet, designers say automakers have not yet exploited these new interiors fully.

"As designers, we're still playing around with the interiors of these new tall architectures to determine what interior is most appropriate for the exterior," notes Bill Fluharty, vice president of industrial design for interior component supplier Johnson Controls Inc.

Interior designers are combing every inch of space inside vehicles to add storage and cargo systems. "The crossovers and high rooflines enable us to look at storage and modules placed overhead," explains John Phillips, director of industrial design and advanced product development for Lear Corp. an interior systems supplier based on Southfield, Mich.

Interior designers are anxious for the proliferation of by-wire systems, as in the Bertone Fib and General Motors' Autonomy displayed at this year's auto shows. The technology, which eliminates mechanical control connections, including the steering column, gearshift and pedals, provides greater flexibility of seating positions. "By-wire will create all kinds of design freedom," asserts Fluharty.

Auto show visitors will see the usual list of suspects in terms of electronics on concept and production vehicles. Among them are entertainment systems with DVD technology and Internet access. What interior designers see now is automakers still struggling with how the content should be integrated and presented.

One of the presentations that will be closely scrutinized is the 2002 BMW 7-Series. The car is loaded with electronics and incorporates BMW'S innovative iDrive concept, displayed at previous auto shows. Often-used controls are located in and around the steering wheel. Less used controls are on the center dash. Its interior design is controversial with designers.

"BMW took a risk," says Fluharty. "It is as if they are saying, 'we don't know what consumers want in terms of content, but we're going to put a stake in the ground and just go for it. Everyone will be watching to see what consumers accept."

Like BMW, Audi uses a similar approach in its Avantissimo concept. Its Multi Media Interface (MMI) ergonomic control system is designed to reduce the driver's workload and enable the driver to concentrate on the pleasure of driving. Commonly used systems are placed most conveniently to the driver. The vehicle's systems range from the audio to the Internet link to a TV and DVD entertainment unit.

"The challenge we face is that technology is outpacing the industry's ability to adapt the interior enviornment, especially in telematics," says Jaron Rothkop, senior industrial designer of advanced product development at Lear.

"As we implement technology, design must develop new interfaces and new thinking about the way people interact with the interior in order to make driving and using these new features safe," he says.

To that end, Delphi Automotive, headquartered in Troy, Mich., showed its Integrated Safety and Security (ISS) concept in Frankfurt to consider the safety aspects and workload requirements of the driver due to new electronics. Using sensors, the vehicle monitors the road and the driver to decide how much information the driver should have access to under various conditions.

"If the car is in dense traffic, we lock certain functions so the driver can pay more attention to driving," explains Mark Cummings-Hall, a Delphi human factors scientist.

Visteon Corp., in the meantime, has been expanding the use of its voice technology to cut down on visual distraction of new electronics to the driver. Its voice systems are installed in the Jaguar S-Type and the new Infiniti Q45.

RELATED ARTICLE: IT'S GREEK FOR "EXCELLENT"

Automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls Inc. of Plymouth, Mich., attempts to present a new look at luxury with its Ariston concept interior, first shown at the auto show in Frankfurt and now in Detroit.

With its name derived from the Greek word for "excellent," the Ariston offers multiple functions, more flexibility and personal space for the various demands of the occupants, all harmoniously integrated into the timeliness design.

"Instead of using a traditional three-box sedan design of a hood, cabin and trunk, we created a huge cabin and tiny trunk," explains Bill Fluharty, JCI's vice president of industrial design. "We eliminated the B-pillar. We put the seats in the trunk, but they can be moved forward when there is cargo."

MITSUBISHI SUP

Mitsubishi brings to North America from the Tokyo show its SUP -- Sport Utility Pack -- concept, which marries technology with a spirit for fun.

The door panels function as totes and the seatbacks as backpacks. The louvered roof retracts to reveal a shower on the rear quarter panel for washing off after a day at the beach.