The invention relates to a vehicle control panel (15) that comprises:at least one clickable key (20) to which is assigned at least one function, said key (20) being configured to move at least between an inactive position and an active position in which said function is activated;a screen (25) for displaying the current function of the key (20). The function is automatically assigned to the key (20) depending on a current parameter of the vehicle equipped with said control panel (15) or on a current context-related parameter.

An apparatus and a method provide a four-dimensional effect to a driver and/or passengers of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a first vehicle controller that analyzes data of content played in an electronic device, sets four-dimensional effect information and generates vehicle control information for realizing the four-dimensional effect according to the set four-dimensional effect information, and a second vehicle controller that performs vehicle control based on the vehicle control information in consideration of a driving status of a vehicle.

A non-contact operating apparatus, for a vehicle, includes a generating unit, a projecting device, a detecting device, a stimulation output device, a determining unit, and a stimulation response output unit. The generating unit is configured to generate and update image containing an image object. The projecting device is configured to project the image in a predetermined display region. The detecting device is configured to detect an operation site of an occupant positioned in a vicinity of the predetermined display region. The stimulation output device is configured to output and update a tactile stimulation to the operation site. The determining unit is configured to determine whether the operation site performs a non-contact operation against the image object. The stimulation response output unit is configured to cause the stimulation output device to output the tactile stimulation to the operation site on the basis of a determination result.

An input device includes: a detector that detects an operation state of an operation object on an operation surface; a controller that performs an input operation on a predetermined instrument; and a driver that vibrates the operation surface. Multiple operation areas for operating the predetermined instrument are set on the operation surface in advance. The controller applies an attraction action into a second operation area by causing the driver to generate a predetermined vibration in an intermediate area between a first operation area and the second operation area. The controller stops an actuation of the driver.

An input device includes: a detector that detects an operation state of an operation object on an operation surface; a controller that performs input to a predetermined instrument; and a driver that vibrates the operation surface. The predetermined instrument includes a display. Multiple operation buttons are displayed on the display. An operation coordinate position of the operation object is associated with a display coordinate position of each of the multiple operation buttons. The controller causes the driver to generate a predetermined vibration on an area of the operation surface corresponding to an intermediate area between a first operation button and a second operation button. The controller corrects a first display coordinate position to a second display coordinate position or prohibit an attraction control.

Damage to a vibrator is reduced, and reliability of a display apparatus of a tactile sensation transmitting type is improved. The display apparatus includes: a display substrate having an operation surface; a support disposed away from the display substrate on an opposite side from the operation surface of the display substrate; a vibrator that is arranged between the display substrate and the support and configured to vibrate the display substrate; and an elastic support member that extends from a display substrate side surface of the support to a surface of the support on an opposite side from the display substrate in a manner wrapping around the support, and has one edge fixed to the surface of the support on the opposite side from the display substrate and the other edge elastically supporting the display substrate. The support includes a displacement restriction portion to which a portion of the elastic support member abuts, and which is configured to restrict displacement of the elastic support member in a direction perpendicular to the operation surface.

A driver nudge system is operated within a vehicle to indicate a warning to a driver of the vehicle. The system includes a steering wheel, a vehicle sensor monitoring an operating environment of the vehicle, and an electric motor connected to the steering wheel configured to nudge the steering wheel in an opposite direction to a threat diagnosed according to data from the vehicle sensor.

In an input apparatus, under a state where contact of a manipulating body to a predetermined position on a manipulation surface is detected, a second low frictional force between the manipulation surface and the manipulating body is provided by vibrating the manipulation surface. The second low frictional force is smaller than a frictional force between the manipulation surface and the manipulating body when the manipulation surface is not vibrated. In response to determining the movement of the manipulating body from the predetermined position towards a target position on the manipulation surface, a first low frictional force between the manipulation surface and the manipulating body is provided by a predetermined time by vibrating the manipulation surface. The first low frictional force is smaller than the second low frictional force.

A system for interactions with an autonomous vehicle includes a proprioceptive device; and a controller. The controller is configured to: detect a first condition external to the autonomous vehicle; generate a first proprioceptive output in response to the first condition, the first proprioceptive output changing a shape of the proprioceptive device; receive a first input force from the proprioceptive device; determine a first user input based on the first input force; and, based on the first user input, cause the autonomous vehicle to perform a navigation action.

The invention concerns a system comprising a processor and a device. The processor may be configured to (i) analyze one or more vehicle systems and (ii) generate a first output signal and a second output signal corresponding to the vehicle systems. The device may be configured to (i) receive the second output signal and (ii) generate haptic feedback based on the second output signal. The first output signal is presented to enable feedback using a primary feedback device. The device may be worn by a user. The haptic feedback supports information provided by the primary feedback device. The second output signal is communicated to the device using wireless communication.