Artificial intelligence will be one of the buzzwords next CES in Las Vegasbut not the only one. At the exhibition of electronic technologies intended for large-scale consumer applications, therefore including cars, scheduled this year from 7 to 11 January, there will also be talk of the digitalisation of services, a very hot topic for the automotive world. And among the companies that are highlighting themselves in this sector there is also ART, an Italian company present for the first time at the great North American event.
Founded in Passignano sul Transimeno (PG), in Umbria, this company has been operating for several years in the development of digital tools and electronic platforms for high-end cars in the luxury and supersport segments, but not only. In fact, at CES there will also be space for devices intended for two-wheelers and digital tools for the creation of simulated environments from the world of video games. These are the sectors that ART is already addressing, which is also looking with growing interest at the world of agriculture. However, what will focus the public’s attention at CES will be the demonstrator of the new Digital Cockpit which contains all the latest innovations and which you can try by registering and booking a personalized demonstration at this link.
Many displays, one architecture
The novelty hidden behind the high-tech displays that make up the ART Digital Cockpit is the new modular electronic architecture which promises to simplify the design and development of the electronic systems of tomorrow’s cars. Until now, in fact, digital instrument panels and infotainment systems, physically separated into the two main screens on board all modern cars, relied on independent operating systems, capable of communicating but divided.
ART instead proposes a unified system managed by a single company ECU (Electronic Contro Unit) which controls entertainment, the driver interface and more. The latest generation e-Cockpit communicates with the other on-board systems and is set up for V2X communication. Then, it is able to connect with other vehicles or intelligent infrastructures supporting technologies based on the exchange of information between the car and the urban environment.
Photo at: ART
Photo at: ART
ART – Developers at work
Photo at: ART
The benefits of the new e-Cockpit
Created according to a modular design, the system represented by the demonstrator makes use of high visibility TFT screens instead of traditional liquid crystals (LCD) and integrates them with Black Diamond technology for optimal contrast and better readability in all conditions.
The unified electronic platform with the integration of functional safety and entertainment domains in a single architecture promises to bring numerous advantages: first and foremost, the reduction of components, weight and complexity which can contribute to accelerate time to marketthe time that passes from the project to the commercial launch of the new vehicles.
Superior performance is guaranteed by the fluid exchange of information which ensures full functionality of all control systems even in the event of malfunctions of the infotainment part. This is thanks to the complete physical separation between HW and SW. Furthermore, flexibility is high, as the system is compatible with interfaces CAN, BroadR, MOST, USB, LIN and so on, and connectivity platforms for external devices such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Photo at: ART
ART Demonstrator set
The e-Cockpit can also be implemented via remote updates (OTA). The latest evolution allows you to manage additional screens for front and rear passengers and also head-up displays for the driver. Everything can be customized according to the needs of each manufacturer, which they can in fact obtain ad hoc solutions both for the format of the displays and for graphics and functions.
These also include active safety ADAS systems such as the monitoring of the driver’s attention conditions (DMS) and parking assistants, all features for which ART has developed proposals which are also integrated into the demonstrator.
Parking assistance, in particular, is available in three variants, one based on a rear camera, an intermediate one which adds a front one and finally the system 3D Surround with four or more perimeter cameras and the representation of the surrounding environment in the on-board instrumentation.
For the entertainment of passengers, theOMSa system that detects their presence and can read and interpret gestures, movements and postures and creating a personalized experience through the on-board systems.
Photo at: ART
ART Demonstrator – environment simulation
The new software
The new digital platform makes use of the 3D HMI ecosystem to create an immersive and captivating experience with the use of rapid prototyping, made possible by the iSDK (Software Development Kit) and the V-Cockpit Tool. The latter is a tool that allows you to build your own graphical interface more easily and quickly. Thanks to virtual reality with VR viewers it is also possible to carry out advanced simulations of the operation of the system and the actual interaction between the cockpit and on-board systems.
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Source: it.motor1.com
