Four Finnish design, technology, software and digital companies have combined forces to develop the intuitively controlled Origo Steering Wheel concept.
The wheel has been jointly designed by Canatu, Siili Auto, Rightware and TactoTek to improve safety by reducing driver distraction with intuitive controls adapted from mobile device use.
The wheel replaces multiple controls from different cockpit locations with integrated 3D touch sensors providing smartphone-like interaction. A driver can also access information, and control non-driving functions in a safe hands-on-wheel driving position.
“Billions of people are using their smartphones daily naturally with their thumbs. We wanted to provide the same familiar touch user experience to the tomorrow’s cars,” said Juha Kokkonen, CEO of Canatu.
The wheel’s user interface (UI) features media, navigation, contacts, climate and cruise controls.
Tero Koivu, COO of Rightware, added, “The touch-based gestures enabled by the combination of technologies in this concept will introduce a heightened level of fluidity to user interaction models while also helping increase safety on the road.”
