Alpine Electronics has partnered with a sensor-maker Neonode to include advanced gesture and mult-touch sensors into Alpine’s in-car infotainment systems, announced Neonode.
The company makes an AlwaysON feature that enables gesture-activated wake up of a screen. It can also sense objects up to 4-inches away to support gesture commands (without having to touch the radio display).
Neonode also has a touch sensor that detects any type of object including a gloved hand or car key.
“We are very happy to announce the agreement with Alpine as we continue to expand our customer base in the Automotive components and module market. The display resolution, durability, accuracy, and the fact that you can use our technology with gloves are important factors for an intuitive user experience in touch enabled automotive displays,” said Neonode CEO Thomas Eriksson. “We have established a mutually inspiring relationship with Alpine and we look forward to bring our MultiSensing touch technology to their products worldwide,” Eriksson concluded.
Alpine could not immediately be reached for comment.
Update: We received the following response from Alpine VP and GM, Aftermarket Business Unit, Steve Crawford:
“Alpine is actively involved in several internal and external HMI-related activities for enhanced operations with regards to drive assist systems and information content in the car. The implementation and timing of these technologies will depend upon each product and specific market needs.”
Source: Neonode via Yahoo! Finance
Well if it’s from Alpine we can be sure we’ll be waiting until everyone else has something better out first…..
Such amazing technology. Moving at great pace. Isn’t this what the pundits said we needed to re-energize the aftermarket? Not really happening to the extent we need. The independent was, is, and always will be the key to introducing consumers to great innovation. But if consumers don’t know of, or trust independents to investigate new technology, how can we as an industry grow? We don’t need more technology until we have better retail experience for the consumer. Some do it VERY well. Most do not.