Automotive supplier Yanfeng has unveiled its Electric Vehicle Interior (EVI) concept in Europe for the first time.
The company’s designers envision an in-vehicle area that eliminates the traditional instrument panel and integrates all key functions into a Smart Cabin seat module. These functions include intelligent surfaces for operating and controlling the vehicle, an active headrest with audio functions, safety systems, seat-integrated climate control, practical storage and charging options.
The seat module combines the two front seats with an integrated floor console, a steer-by-wire input system, HMI, displays, seatbelts and airbags, and a HVAC microclimate system.
The steer-by-wire system has a display that can be stowed away for interactions during autonomous driving and can be moved to a steering position for driving functions, depending on the desired driving mode. With the HMI display interface fully embedded in the deployable steer by wire arm, the display panel in the front of the cabin does not require touch interaction.
Patrik Nebout, CTO at Yanfeng, said, “Comprehensive studies carried out by our Yanfeng research team have shown that users want more technology but most importantly, technology that is intuitive to use, in order to create a fun and enjoyable experience. They also want space that is significantly different from that in vehicles with combustion engines.”
The EVI design also aims to be a more sustainable option. With the removal of the instrument panel, Yanfeng says the overall vehicle weight is reduced by approximately 11kg, which in turn provides an extended range and lower CO2 emissions. Materials such as Compression Hybrid Molding (CHyM) with natural fibers are also used.
