A self-driving or autonomous vehicle comprises a seat movable between an upright position and a reclined position and a ceiling display for displaying user interface elements and for receiving user input when the seat is in the reclined position. The ceiling display may be slidable and/or pivotable. The ceiling display may automatically move when the seat is reclined.

The present invention relates to automotive interface systems and methods. In one embodiment, an automotive interface system includes a steering wheel and an integrated interpolated variable impedance array that comprises a grid of sensing elements. The sensing elements are configured to power on simultaneously and to simultaneously generate multiple currents along multiple current paths in response to sensing a touch wherein the amount of current generated by a sensing element of the grid is directly proportional to the force applied by the touch. The automotive interface system also includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a processor communicatively coupled to the interpolated variable impedance array that are configured to receive the multiple currents along multiple current paths and determine a location, a duration, an area, and a force of the touch from the multiple currents along multiple current paths.

A retractable video screen has switchable opaque films laminated onto a transparent display panel. A transport unit at a headliner of a passenger cabin includes a motorized carrier configured to move the video screen to 1) a stowed position in which the video screen is retained horizontally in the transport unit, 2) a forward position where the video screen hangs vertically from a forward end of the transport unit, and 3) a rearward position where video screen hangs vertically from a rearward end of the transport unit. A first opaque film is opaque and a second opaque film is clear when the carrier is forward, so that the display panel is viewable from the seating area. The second opaque film is opaque and the first opaque film is clear when the carrier is rearward, so that the display panel is viewable from outside the vehicle through the liftgate opening.

A device for controlling an interior lighting system of a vehicle to produce ambient lighting and/or reading lighting involves the interior lighting system having an array of a plurality of light sources. The device includes a control unit, by means of which the light sources of the array can be individually controlled in order to produce the ambient lighting and/or the reading lighting, and an input unit that can be connected to the control unit. The input unit has a touch-sensitive screen for inputting a current set of control information for the control unit. The control unit controls the light sources on the basis of the current set of control information. Furthermore, the input unit, on the basis of the current set of control information, displays associated ambient lighting and/or reading lighting for an illuminable region in the vehicle interior on the screen.

A vehicle display control device includes: an acceleration prediction section that predicts a direction of an acceleration acting on a vehicle based on information including at least one of: information regarding a planned travel path of the vehicle, information acquired from a periphery information detection sensor that detects information regarding a vehicle periphery, or information acquired from an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration of the vehicle; and a display control section that, in a case in which an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section is greater than a predetermined threshold, displays a direction of the predicted acceleration at a display portion in a vehicle cabin.

A vehicle has an automatically tiltable seat, a plurality of seat actuators fully supporting the automatically-tiltable seat to enable the automatically tiltable seat to pitch or roll to compensate for motion of the vehicle, and a processor to predict the motion of the vehicle and to control the plurality of seat actuators. The plurality of seat actuators automatically adjust the pitch or roll of the automatically tiltable seat in response to the motion of the vehicle. The seat actuators also provide shock absorption.

A vehicle display device includes: a display unit in a shape of a rectangular film, the display unit being configured to be advanced from and withdrawn into a ceiling of a vehicle cabin; a lower edge reinforcing portion located at a lower edge of the display unit, the lower edge reinforcing portion reinforcing the lower edge of the display unit; and a support mechanism configured to be extended and retracted according to an amount by which the display unit protrudes beyond the ceiling, and configured to support the display unit.

A method for operating a human machine interface for a vehicle includes a vehicle component, a control unit and a touch-sensitive surface that is provided in the vehicle component. The method includes recognizing a touch on an arbitrary contact point of the touch-sensitive surface, and assigning to the contact point a button, by means of which an input is possible, wherein a function is assigned to the button. Moreover, a human machine interface is shown.

A vehicle console includes a trim ring disposed over a periphery of a housing. The trim ring includes a polymeric material and is electrically conductive and grounded. A proximity switch assembly is retained in the housing. The proximity switch assembly includes a proximity sensor proximate a sensing pad for generating an activation field. The sensing pad is proximate the trim ring.

A vehicle display control device includes: an acceleration prediction section that predicts a direction of an acceleration acting on a vehicle based on information including at least one of: information regarding a planned travel path of the vehicle, information acquired from a periphery information detection sensor that detects information regarding a vehicle periphery, or information acquired from an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration of the vehicle; and a display control section that, in a case in which an acceleration predicted by the acceleration prediction section is greater than a predetermined threshold, displays a direction of the predicted acceleration at a display portion in a vehicle cabin.