HARMAN is showinig its connected car technologies for several of automotive OEMs at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. HARMAN products are shown in Rinspeed ΣTOS, Maserati Levante, Audi Q2, Porsche 911 Carrera, 718 Boxster/Macan, Mercedes C-Class Convertible and Seat Ateca. They are showing their connected car platform for V2X, eye monitoring, luxury audio and new portable sound system.
LIVS Connected Car Compute Platform with V2X
The company also demonstrates ts LIVS Connected Car Compute Platform for advanced, holistic vehicle intelligence with vehicle-to-x capability (V2X) based on RoadLINK technology from NXP Semiconductors . The wireless technology significantly improves road safety by alerting drivers of critical traffic situations well beyond the range of current production sensors, allowing drivers to “see” around corners, and through traffic obstacles such as big trucks ahead.
V2X allows alerts to be delivered to vehicles from other cars and surrounding infrastructure, such as traffic lights and signage to warn drivers about potentially hazardous traffic situations ahead. The technology can detect hazards beyond the line of sight, even in difficult weather conditions, thus optimally complementing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) like radar or cameras. Messages can include blind-intersection collisions, road condition hazards, road works, presence of emergency vehicles, stationary or slow moving vehicles, traffic jams, and accident warnings, as well as traffic signals or signage indicators.
High Fidelity Audio
The company was also showing the latest HARMAN audio systems from JBL, Harman Kardon, Bang & Olufsen and Bowers & Wilkins, as well as key technologies such as Clari-Fi, which restores the rich original sound of music that gets lost during digital audio compression, QuantumLogic Surround, which recreates an authentic concert hall experience in the car by mimicking the acoustics of the original recording space and Logic 7 surround audio processing to transform normal two-channel stereo recordings into realistic, atmospheric multi-channel surround sound.
Eye Tracking
HARMAN’s new proprietary eye and pupil tracking system recognizes high cognitive load and mental multitasking in the driver’s seat, and signals the car’s other safety systems to adapt to the driver’s state. The technology represents a major step forward in the domain of Advanced Safety and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) for vehicles.
With the introduction of high cognitive load detection, HARMAN’s eye and pupil tracking technology brings additional value to the driver-facing camera. The technology eliminates the need for complex sensors built into seats and steering wheels, or biometric sensors that require physical contact with the driver. This camera continually captures the driver’s pupil dilation, and a proprietary software algorithm analyzes the pupil reflex using advanced filtering and signal processing. The filter isolates and identifies responses triggered by high cognitive load. The calculated outputs are used to intuitively adjust user interfaces, like placing mobile devices in do-not-disturb mode or adjusting ADAS system intervention thresholds to minimize physical and mental distraction to the driver
Rinspeed ΣTOS featuring the HARMAN LIVS platform
The Rinspeed ΣTOS features the HARMAN LIVS (Life-Enhancing Intelligent Vehicle Solution) compute platform for end-to-end connected car products and services.
Maserati Levante
Thanks to its rotary controller, multi-touch screen and voice control, the powerful and fast infotainment system of the new Maserati Levante is easy to use. Its high-resolution 8,4” SVGA screen provides sharp 3D graphics for the navigation system and a user experience equivalent to smartphones. The one-shot voice control covers the whole system, including Car Play and Android Auto modes. With HARMAN’s Aha Connected Services, the infotainment system in the Maserati Levante also offers millions of high definition quality Internet radios, audio books, online GPS, and more.
Buyers of the new Maserati Levante can choose between two premium & high premium HARMAN audio systems. The Harman Kardon system features 14 loudspeakers, a 12-channel Class D amplifier with 900 watts and speed-sensitive volume adjustment.
The Bowers & Wilkins system offers 17 loudspeakers made from advanced materials such as aluminum and Kevlar and a 16-channel Class D amplifier with 1,280 watts of power. In addition, the B&W system features QuantumLogic Surround, carbon-fibre Rohacell drivers and Clari-Fi music restoration technology.
Audi Q2
The infotainment system of the new Audi Q2 has an 8” high-resolution TFT touch screen. It also comes equipped with an LTE based Wi-Fi hotspot for passengers in the car and connects smartphones via the MMI app for additional services.The navigation system supports real time traffic information, Google Earth, Google Street View, 3D city models and one-shot entry VR. All functions can be fully voice-controlled for a smoother and safer driving experience.
HARMAN is bringing premium Bang & Olufsen sound to the smallest premium crossover in the market. The system features 14 active loudspeakers, a 15-channel amplifier with Class D technology, MOST150, microphone input, scalable DSP power, 5.1 surround sound and 750 watts of total power output. Speaker grilles with a specific Dynamic Lines Design follow the design line of the interior and include anodized aluminium details and logos, LED lighting and visibility from the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
Porsche 911 Carrera, 718 Boxster and Macan CarPlay
The infotainment system of the three new Porsches features a 7” / 16:9 high resolution TFT touch screen as well as a DAB tuner and plays music from a variety of sources, including Bluetooth audio, HDD jukebox and two SD cards. It also provides wireless Internet access to WiFi-enabled client devices and connects iPhones via Apple CarPlay as well as other smartphones supporting hands free profile (HFP) via Bluetooth. The navigation system supports real time traffic information, Google Earth, Google Street View, 3D city maps and landscape representation. In addition, the navigation system offers an automatic zooming function for a clearer view of intersections, real-time traffic information, dynamic route guidance through RDS/TM CPro and one-shot entry VR.
Mercedes C-Class Convertible
The NTG5 infotainment system is available in the newest member of the C-Class family, featuring an 8,4” high resolution touch screen as well as a DAB tuner and plays music from a variety of sources. The NTG5 system delivers state-of-the-art wired and wireless mobile device integration, including a WLAN hotspot and the ability to connect iOS and Android devices. Functions like seat heating and climate control and services like emergency and road side assistance calling can also be easily be controlled. The NTG5 supports Message Access Profile (MAP), equipping the vehicles with mobile office features such as e-mail and text messaging, which can be handled safely and intuitively via an animated 3D HMI with high-end graphics in HD resolution and HD video. The navigation system offers real time traffic information, 3D city models, Google Earth, Google Street View, 3D cities and one-shot entry VR.
Seat Ateca
The infotainment system of Seat’s first SUV features a HD resolution touch screen as well as a DAB tuner and plays music from a variety of sources, including Bluetooth audio, HDD jukebox and SD card. The navigation system supports 3D city models and one-shot entry VR.
Aston Martin DB11 with Bang & Olufsen
The new Aston Martin DB11 provides its passengers with an outstanding sound experience courtesy of Bang & Olufsen. The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DB11 features 13 fully active loudspeakers in closed cabinets, including two front tweeters with moving Acoustic Lens Technology and a 13-channel BeoCore amplifier with ICEpower technology for a total system power of 1,000 watts. Among the sound features are Automatic Volume Control and different sound modes.
Bowers & Wilkins Drives Sound in New Volvo cars
The new Volvo V90 estate and the S90 sedan feature a premium Bowers & Wilkins sound system including tweeter-on-top technology to optimize sound and maintain audio dimension within the cabin. Moreover the system integrates several unique transducer technologies for which Bowers & Wilkins is well-known, including iconic NautilusTM tweeters, Kevlar cones and long-throw woofers. These combine with HARMAN’s next-generation QuantumLogic Surround Sound processing to provide an immersive, multi-dimensional 7.1 surround sound experience from any music source.
Summit Removable Drive to Drive Future of Sound?
The Summit Car Audio solution, a new modular, automotive hardware and connected software platform, offers HARMAN’s highest level of acoustic performance coupled with cutting edge expandable features. Voyager Drive is a unique lifestyle audio system that pops into and out of the vehicle dashboard to seamlessly follow consumers from their car, to the house, the beach, campsite, or anywhere else their journey may take them.