The information about smart cockpit and network function configuration in the 2022 China Intelligent Vehicle Development Trend Insight Report is worth paying attention to – the report analyzes new models and consumer concerns from the perspective of a portal.
The market penetration rate of smart cockpits (including T-box) in recent years has been soaring with the naked eye, with an average compound growth rate of nearly 60% in 5 years. In the process of analysis, we can see that the current median car purchase expenditure of Chinese passenger cars is 130,000, which means that the coverage rate of all models with more than 150,000 is more than 40%.
Interestingly, the Ben E-star model, which is less than 50,000 in 2021, has also achieved remote start-up standard, and the penetration and differentiation of electronic functions under the new system of electric vehicles is faster than we think.
Figure 1. Smart Cockpit Features 2017-2021
Part 1 Several key breakthrough features
（1）HUD
HuD penetration rate before 2020 is relatively low, with the adoption of new electric vehicle power brands, HUD market penetration has also increased significantly. In this regard, in addition to Weilai, China's own brands, Haval, Hongqi, Chery and Geely Automobile have all opened a wave of attempts.
Figure 2. Rapid changes in the HUD market
(2) Facial recognition and gesture control
Although facial recognition is publicized a lot, this function is still difficult to integrate, and the standard rate of all models on sale in 2021 is only 2.1%, and the market penetration rate is also at a low level.
Chinese independent brands are more willing to boldly try new in this configuration, the same situation can also look at gesture recognition, BMW's standard actual use rate is not high and independent brands are also very fast in application.
Figure 3. The situation of gesture recognition in 2017-2021
At the MWC 2022, Asahi Glass established a subsidiary of Wideye to showcase the On-Glass Applique, a thin glass integrated in the vehicle's B-pillar that can be used as a user interface and is integrated with biometric cameras, touch screens, and invisible network antennas. This technology will take a long time to roll out on a large scale, from niche to a standard integration element of the vehicle.
Figure 4. Wideye's On-Glass Applique
The ASKA3D Plate on MWC also showcased the possibilities for use in ATMs and doorbells, and the HoloActive Touch, shown with BMW at CES 2017, enabled interactive images to be projected in mid-air.
This kind of floating position of 25 cm through the holographic 3D image screen can achieve high brightness/contrast, and the way with 3D sensors can also achieve contactless virtual interaction in the vehicle as the total amount increases.
Figure 5. 3D holographic technology with 3D sensors
Part 2 Use of a soundstage microphone
In terms of sound, The Japan Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) incubated NTT Sonority Inc last September, a Japanese startup that develops personalized sound zone technology to achieve sound reproduction in a specific area through special speakers with technology and acoustic signal processing technology for users to listen to naked ears, and to achieve sound field processing to achieve sound field isolation in a certain area.
Figure 6. Personal soundstage design concept
The use scenario in the car is to divide the driver, co-pilot, and rear row into sound stages, especially for driving scenes like me who want to listen to their own music, but the two girls in the back row want to listen to children's songs. The principle of its technology is sound waveforming, echo cancellation and other communication technologies that isolate external sounds and create an independent sound field. At CES2022, Toyota Bossoku took the concept to make a new generation of rear cockpits.
Figure 7. Application scenarios in cars
This technology can be used in scenarios such as airplanes and cars, where passengers can listen directly to different sources without the help of in-ear or headphones, with the goal of making long-distance travel more enjoyable and comfortable by listening to what they want in a private space through active processing. Personalized Sound Zone technology combines smart microphone technology with active noise cancellation to create a comfortable sound space and enhance the user experience
Summary: I think the cockpit contains a lot of technical details, not only screen, voice interaction, the iteration of this system is to synchronize personal consumption technology and automotive technology, as an independent evolution of the path to drive the car in the personal application level of intelligence. More and more new technologies may be reorganized as elements, and the overall effect depends on the software's capabilities.