Ambient lighting system (3) for motorcars (2) comprising: an optical system (4) comprising: RGB LED light sources (41); a structural support (40) on which said light sources (41) are placed; a diffusive module (42) adapted to diffuse light rays. The ambient lighting system (3) comprising a capacitive touch sensor (6), the latter being locally integrated in the ambient lighting system (3); and light guide modules (43), interposed between the light sources (41) and said diffusive module (42), and being adapted to guide light rays emitted by the light sources (41) and being designed to isolate the light rays emitted by each light guide module (43), in order to realize sectors (C) adapted to be illuminated with sharp contrast with the rest of the ambient lighting system (3), defining the position of at least one soft button (B), the latter being realized by means of the capacitive touch sensor (6).

A display device include a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer and a spacer arranged between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer to define a first region and a second region. A first plurality of electrodes are arranged on an inner surface of the first transparent layer in the first region. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are connected to the first plurality of electrodes in the first region. A second plurality of electrodes are arranged on the inner surface of the first transparent layer in the second region. A third plurality of electrodes are arranged on the inner surface of the second transparent layer in the second region. Particles are arranged in the second region between the second plurality of electrodes and the third plurality of electrodes.

The invention is a robust lensless instrument cluster configured for installation in a vehicle. The instrument cluster comprises an outer case, a PCB and lighting structure, an inner frame, an optical bonding assembly, halo lighting portions, a seamless display comprising tell-tale indicators and gauges, and an outer visor. The instrument cluster further comprises a plurality of LEDs for compartmentalized and indirect lighting of the tell-tale indicators on the seamless display and the halo lighting portions around the edges of the seamless display. Because the instrument cluster is lensless and otherwise exposed to the environment, it comprises a seal system to prevent the ingress of water and dust into the interior components. The seal system can also eliminate the risk of mura in the optical bonding assembly.

A portable device for vehicle-information integration and warning is mounted in a vehicle and has a body, a ring-type warning light, a first communication interface, a second communication interface, and a processor. The body has a display mounted on a surface of the body. The ring-type warning light surrounds the display. The first communication interface communicates with a dashboard system of the vehicle. The second communication interface communicates with an edge computing device. The processor receives dashboard data from the dashboard system and drives the display to display a dashboard-information screen. When the processor receives a traffic datum from the edge computing device, the processor drives the display to display a traffic warning message. Besides, the processor drives the ring-type warning light according to the dashboard data or the traffic datum.

A vehicle includes a host display that has a graphic user interface that incorporates a touchscreen. At least a portion of the host display includes a charging interface. A docking port is disposed proximate the host display. The docking port is configured to selectively couple with a portable computing device that has a portable display. Engagement of the portable computing device with the docking port places the portable display of the portable computing device in front of the charging interface of the host display. A controller of the host display is placed in electrical communication with the portable computing device to charge a battery cell of the portable computing device. Engagement further adjusts the graphic user interface of the host display to selectively assimilate the portable display of the portable computing device to define the portable display as an annexed display of the host display.

A vehicle communication system installed in a vehicle includes: a lamp for illumination, a display or signal; a display that is configured by a planar light emitter and has an information display function; and a control unit that is capable of controlling turning-on of the lamp and of the display. The control unit is configured to control the lamp and the display in a linked manner, and present vehicle information indicating a condition of the vehicle by combining light emission of the lamp with information display of the display.

A motor vehicle comprising a camera, a controller, and a lighting device arranged in an interior of the motor vehicle. The lighting device is a light strip configured to emit light in different color tones. The camera is configured to create images and/or videos of an environment of the motor vehicle and to output the images and/or videos to the controller. The controller is configured to recognize, from the images and/or videos, a color tone displayed by a light signal system in the environment of the motor vehicle. The controller is configured to cause the lighting device to emit light in the displayed color tone.

A three-dimensional kinetic shape display for a vehicle includes one or more pixels for conveying information related to operation of the vehicle. The one or more pixels each include a plurality of moveable members that each have an actuation element for translating the moveable member. The three-dimensional kinetic shape display also includes one or more controllers providing instructions to move the actuation element. The one or more controllers execute instructions to receive data indicating an event related to operation of the vehicle, and in response to receiving data indicating the event, instruct the actuation element to translate the moveable member in a direction that is indicative of the event related to operation of the vehicle.

User input systems and vehicles having a user input system having a deformable material are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user input system includes a base, a deformable material, wherein at least the base and the deformable material define an enclosure, a sensor layer disposed on or within the deformable material, at least one actuator coupled to the base and disposed within the enclosure, and an input device coupled to the at least one actuator. The at least one actuator is configured to raise the input device to deform the deformable material at a location of a hand on the deformable material based at least in part on a signal provided by the sensor layer.

A trim element that includes a cover layer defining an outer surface and having at least two distinct backlit pattern areas, the trim element further including at least one lighting module having at least one light source and a first light guide arranged for guiding light from the light source toward the backlit areas of the cover layer. The trim element includes a switching module extending between the cover layer and the lighting module, the switching module having at least two optical shutter areas extending opposite every backlit pattern area of the cover layer and being configurable between an open position and a closed position.