One embodiment of the present invention provides a haptic device including a flexible and deformable tube, a liquid or gel-like substance, a sensor and an actuator. The flexible and deformable tube is affixed to a grip area to be gripped by a user. The liquid or gel-like substance is sealed within the tube and configured to transmit a pressure or/and pressure vibration vibration/pressure therethrough. The sensor is configured to detect the pressure or/and pressure vibration vibration/pressure generated in the tube. The actuator is configured to generate a haptic signal in the tube and/or the substance so as to be transmitted to the user.

A vehicle parking assistant system which detects and displays a true distance of an object from the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes several vertically stacked LEDs integrated in a window pane of the vehicle. At least one sensor detects the distance between the motor vehicle and an object at a distance from the motor vehicle. A control unit is connected to the sensor and the LEDs. Each of the LEDs has a threshold value of the distance of the object assigned to it, and the control unit is configured to hold each of the LEDs in an inactive state While the distance exceeds the associated threshold value, and to activate the LEDs when the distance drops below the associated threshold value.

According to an embodiment, a navigation device installed in a vehicle includes an obtainer, a controller, and a reproducer. The obtainer obtains at least one of vehicle information related to the vehicle and driver information related to a driver of the vehicle. The controller controls, based on at least one of the vehicle information and the driver information, localization direction of a playback sound which is to be reproduced for the driver. The reproducer reproduces the playback sound using a three dimensional sound based on control of the localization direction.

According to an embodiment, a navigation device installed in a vehicle includes an obtainer, a controller, and a reproducer. The obtainer obtains at least one of vehicle information related to the vehicle and driver information related to a driver of the vehicle. The controller controls, based on at least one of the vehicle information and the driver information, localization direction of a playback sound which is to be reproduced for the driver. The reproducer reproduces the playback sound using a three dimensional sound based on control of the localization direction.

A warning control apparatus includes a learning section that learns a collision avoidance timing at which a driver of an own vehicle starts to perform an operation for avoiding collision with a front object based on a distance to this object and a speed of the own vehicle, a threshold setting section that determines whether the driver tends to start a collision avoidance operation early or late based on the learned collision avoidance timing, sets an avoidance warning threshold larger than a basic threshold upon determining that the vehicle driver tends to start the collision avoidance operation early, and sets the avoidance warning threshold smaller than the basic threshold in the contrary case, and a warning control section that causes a warning device to issue a warning at a warning timing set so as to become early as the avoidance warning threshold set by the threshold setting section becomes large.

A vehicle safety alert system. The system includes a controller disposed within a vehicle and a plurality of transmitters disposed along a roadway. The controller receives speed limit data from the transmitters and then both notifies a driver of the current speed limit and alerts the driver if the vehicle exceeds the speed limit. The controller also includes GPS components and is configured to upload vehicle location data to a database and server via an existing network. The transmitters are configured to receive vehicle speed and identification information and relay the information to a server. The information regarding vehicle speed, location, and identification is then sent from the database to the appropriate monitoring agency via the server.

A vehicle safety alert system. The system includes a controller disposed within a vehicle and a plurality of transmitters disposed along a roadway. The controller receives speed limit data from the transmitters and then both notifies a driver of the current speed limit and alerts the driver if the vehicle exceeds the speed limit. The controller also includes GPS components and is configured to upload vehicle location data to a database and server via an existing network. The transmitters are configured to receive vehicle speed and identification information and relay the information to a server. The information regarding vehicle speed, location, and identification is then sent from the database to the appropriate monitoring agency via the server.

The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element.

The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element.

The invention relates to a device for controlling an audio output for a motor vehicle. The device comprises the following: an output summation device for controlling a playback of generated audio output signals on the basis of first audio signals and second audio signals; a first processor device which has at least one processor core and which is designed to generate the first audio signals for a first motor vehicle component group assigned to the first processor device; and a second processor device which has at least one processor core and which is designed to generate second audio signals for a second motor vehicle component group assigned to the second processor device and to actuate the output summation device.