Technology company Continental has announced that it has developed an innovative display enabling vehicle information to be displayed dynamically, either in a private mode or in a way that everyone can see. The market launch of the new Switchable Privacy Display is planned for 2024.
A press release from the company said that the new display technology called Switchable Privacy Display allows front passengers to use multimedia content such as videos or the infotainment system without distracting the driver from road traffic. If necessary and the traffic situation permits, all vehicle passengers can optionally be given access to this content using a switchover. Conventional displays, which up to now have been offered primarily for passengers, do not enable flexible switching to a private mode.
Switchable light distribution makes content invisible at the touch of a button. Although privacy functions have been used for some time for laptop displays, they were not previously suitable in the automotive sector. Using private mode, users prevent content from being viewed by people in their immediate vicinity. During the development of the new display technology, the company succeeded in using this technology for the first time for the special requirements in the vehicle and combining the light in privacy mode so that the driver receives less than one percent of light emission. It does not impair their awareness while the display generates a high-quality image. By switching the privacy function on or off, the display makes the content visible to only the front passenger or all passengers.
Philipp von Hirschheydt, Head of Continental’s User Experience Business Area, said, “Modern vehicles are increasingly becoming smartphones on wheels for drivers and passengers. Driver distraction is still one of the main causes of traffic accidents. With our new display solution, we are therefore aiming for a digital experience that minimizes distraction.”
“The user experience is becoming a fundamentally distinguishing feature and game-changer in the mobility of tomorrow. The crucial factor here is that we also provide the front passenger with new infotainment options,” he added.