The invention relates to a vehicle (2) comprising: a chassis (4) which is supported on wheels (6, 8) such that it can be driven in a direction of travel (5) for carrying a driver, a steering element (16) for the driver to specify the direction of travel (6), a reproduction element (48) which is arranged in the field of view of the driver in front of said driver when viewed in the direction of travel, and which is designed to display a menu (50) containing a number of menu elements (52) which are arranged to form a grid, and an input interface (36) comprising a pressure plate (40) which is arranged on the steering element (16) comprising a top side (42) and a bottom side which is situated opposite the top side (42), wherein a number of segments (44) which are arranged to form the grid (46) and can be detected in a haptic manner are formed on the top side (42) of the pressure plate (40), and wherein the number of the menu elements (52) corresponds to the number of segments (44) which can be detected in a haptic manner, so that one segment (44), which can be detected in a haptic manner, on the pressure plate (40) is assigned to each menu element (52) of the menu (50).

The invention relates to a control device with sensory feedback (1) comprising: a detector (11) of gestures of the hand (9) of a user (3), a sensory feedback unit (15) connected to the gesture detector (11) and providing sensory feedback to the user (3) in accordance with the gestures of the user's hand (9), characterised in that the sensory feedback unit (15) includes a unit (17) for blowing a stream of air towards an area (19) for detecting gestures of the hand (9) of the user (3).

A driver interface system includes a steering wheel assembly and a display. The steering wheel assembly includes a variable-function input device. The variable-function input device includes a plurality of assignable functions and a present function being one of the plurality of assignable functions. The display is configured to display an image corresponding to the present function of the variable-function input device. The driver interface system may include a plurality of display modes, and in response to a change in display mode, the driver interface system may change the present function in the plurality of assignable functions. The steering wheel assembly may also include a touchpad configured to receive a handwritten input, and the display may be configured to display an image corresponding to the handwritten input.

In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.

An operating device for controlling functions of a motor vehicle, includes an operator control element which can be displaced from a rest position beyond a first actuating position into a second actuating position. The operating device has a control unit which is designed to actuate, in accordance with a function which is assigned to the operator control element, a display device for displaying information associated with the function if the operating element is positioned in the first actuating position. The control unit is configured to trigger the function if the operator control element is positioned in the second actuating position. The operating device is configured to output a tactilely perceptible feedback in at least one of the positions of the operator control element.

A haptic feedback method for a touch display screen of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: acquiring a touch operation of a user from the touch display screen of the vehicle; determining a type of the acquired touch operation, and retrieving a pre-stored feedback signal corresponding to the type of the touch operation, wherein different types of the touch operations correspond to different feedback signals; and transmitting the corresponding feedback signal to an actuator, and driving the actuator to vibrate by using the feedback signal for providing haptic feedback. A haptic feedback system and a haptic feedback control device are also provided.

The operating unit for a vehicle is provided with a housing with a front face and an operating element arranged on the front face of the housing and having a center of gravity and an operating surface. Said operating element is mounted on and/or in the housing in a spring-elastic manner along a vertical axis of movement extending essentially orthogonally to the operating surface and along a lateral movement axis extending essentially transversely with respect thereto. At least one sensor for detecting an actuation movement of the operating element in the direction of the vertical movement axis is provided. Also, the operating unit comprises an actuator arranged in and/or on the housing for feedback movement of the operating element at least also in the lateral movement axis during a detected actuating movement of the operating element, wherein the actuator comprises an electromagnetically controllable drive element which is mechanically coupled to the operating element which can be moved back and forth along a movement axis. The center of gravity of the operating element lies on the movement axis of the drive element of the actuator.

A steering apparatus for a vehicle that utilizes steer-by-wire controls and may selectively be operated in an autonomous mode comprises a body mounted sliding steering column. The body mounted sliding steering column includes an arm that slides between a stowed position and a use position on at least one rail attached to a frame of the vehicle. The arm supports a steering column that may also be adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position. The arm also houses a force feedback motor in force-transmitting communication with the steering column.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a human-machine interface (HMI) for a vehicle, comprising an output means (40, 50) for outputting information, passenger monitoring means (20) for determining a status of at least one passenger within the vehicle and to outputting a passenger status signal indicative thereof, control means (10) for determining an operating state of one or more systems of the vehicle, wherein the control means (10) is arranged to receive the passenger status signal, and wherein the control means (10) is arranged to compose an output from the output means (40, 50) in dependence on the operating state of the one or more systems and the passenger status signal.

A steering wheel assembly includes a steering rim and a steering housing connected to the steering rim. The steering wheel assembly also includes at least one pressure sensitive component disposed within the steering housing. The at least one pressure sensitive component generates electric signals in response to force applied on the steering housing. The at least one pressure sensitive component may include any one of at least one piezoelectric switch, a piezoelectric sensor, and a capacitive array. Further, at least one pressure sensitive component may provide a haptic feedback. Additionally, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) disposed within the steering housing is electrically connected to the at least one pressure sensitive component. The PCB includes a controller that determines a user input or a gesture made by a user on the steering housing based on the electric signals received from the at least one pressure sensitive component.