A method of producing a functional vehicle component includes fixing a leather sheet over a surface of a vehicle component, applying a flexible electronic circuit to an A-surface of the leather sheet, and arranging a pigmented coating over the circuit. The pigmented coating inhibits or prevents the circuit from being visible through the pigmented coating. The method may include attaching an electronic element, such as a light source, a sensor, a wireless transmitter, or a switch, to the circuit. When the circuit includes a light source, the pigmented coating inhibits or prevents the light source from being visible through the pigmented coating, but light emitted by the light source is visible through the pigmented coating.

A method of producing a functional vehicle component includes fixing a leather sheet over a surface of a vehicle component, applying a flexible electronic circuit to an A-surface of the leather sheet, and arranging a pigmented coating over the circuit. The pigmented coating inhibits or prevents the circuit from being visible through the pigmented coating. The method may include attaching an electronic element, such as a light source, a sensor, a wireless transmitter, or a switch, to the circuit. When the circuit includes a light source, the pigmented coating inhibits or prevents the light source from being visible through the pigmented coating, but light emitted by the light source is visible through the pigmented coating.

A vehicle interior component configured to present a user interface for a vehicle occupant with vehicle systems may comprise a housing, cover structure and user interface system to present the user interface at a cover surface. The user interface may comprise a light display to transmit light from a light source and/or an input device comprising a mechanical coupling to interface with a sensor arrangement. The user interface may comprise output from the light display and/or input by interaction with the input device at the cover surface. The component may comprise a module comprising the light display and the input device. The module may comprise an absorber. The light display may comprise a light guide and/or display panel. The light guide may comprise a projection and/or icon to transmit light through an aperture and/or recess of the cover structure.

A device for providing external communication by a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a steering wheel having one or more light-emitting elements in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The device is configured to ascertain external information that needs to be communicated to a user of the vehicle who is arranged outside of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The device is furthermore configured to prompt the one or more light-emitting elements to generate a light signal in order to display the external information.

A device for providing external communication by a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a steering wheel having one or more light-emitting elements in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The device is configured to ascertain external information that needs to be communicated to a user of the vehicle who is arranged outside of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The device is furthermore configured to prompt the one or more light-emitting elements to generate a light signal in order to display the external information.

The present disclosure relates to a steering wheel input device and, in particular, a gear shift device for a steering assembly. Aspects of the present disclosure are particularly relevant to automotive paddle shifters and automotive input devices for a steering wheel group. A steering wheel input device includes an input actuator for location adjacent to a steering wheel and includes a one or two input regions, each being moveable around an axis of the steering wheel and being pressable by one of the driver's hands on the steering wheel for registering inputs. A tracking input receives tracking data, and a controller moves the input regions based on this. The tracking data may include hand tracking data for determining the location of the driver's hands on the steering wheel, where the controller is operable to move the input regions in line with movement of the driver's hands around the steering wheel.

The present disclosure relates to a steering wheel input device and, in particular, a gear shift device for a steering assembly. Aspects of the present disclosure are particularly relevant to automotive paddle shifters and automotive input devices for a steering wheel group. A steering wheel input device includes an input actuator for location adjacent to a steering wheel and includes a one or two input regions, each being moveable around an axis of the steering wheel and being pressable by one of the driver's hands on the steering wheel for registering inputs. A tracking input receives tracking data, and a controller moves the input regions based on this. The tracking data may include hand tracking data for determining the location of the driver's hands on the steering wheel, where the controller is operable to move the input regions in line with movement of the driver's hands around the steering wheel.

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a vehicle state detector for detecting a vehicle state, a function unit that performs at least one vehicle function, an operation unit that enables a transmission operation to allow selection of a transmission stage from among a plurality of transmission stages, and a position adjusting unit to switch the operation unit between a first position where the transmission operation is disabled and a second position where the transmission operation is enabled, by rotating the operation unit with respect to the functional unit, based on the detected vehicle state.

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a vehicle state detector for detecting a vehicle state, a function unit that performs at least one vehicle function, an operation unit that enables a transmission operation to allow selection of a transmission stage from among a plurality of transmission stages, and a position adjusting unit to switch the operation unit between a first position where the transmission operation is disabled and a second position where the transmission operation is enabled, by rotating the operation unit with respect to the functional unit, based on the detected vehicle state.

A vehicle airbag cover assembly, comprises a cover element and an electronic module comprising a light emitting element. The module is embedded in an at least partially transparent plastic material thus forming an integrated electronic module. The integrated module is arranged at the cover element such that an illumination from the at least one light emitting element is visible for a passenger when the airbag cover assembly is installed in a vehicle.