Customizing Your Vehicle Takes on New Meaning.

Blog written for Visteon Corporation for CES 2020 - Ghost written during Sam’s time at the company

In this day and age, users can craft and customize their own digital experience in almost every consumer electronics offering on the market. They can update their phone backgrounds and app configurations. They can customize their tablets and laptops. There is even a TV on the market that can look like a painting on your wall while it’s not in use, and if the user gets tired of that painting, they choose another image!

Why hasn’t the trend of digital customization carried over more fully to vehicles? That’s what Visteon’s design team was wondering too – so they challenged themselves to solve this nagging question.

They more than met the challenge.

The highly skilled Visteon design team is unveiling a customizable Graphical User Interface (GUI) at CES 2020. This revolutionary concept will allow the consumer to choose what they want their instrument cluster and infotainment systems to look like in their future vehicles.

From the shape of the gauges to the color scheme and contents, the consumer will finally be at the wheel of many of their vehicle’s digital interfaces.

Not only does this concept appeal to the driver, but also to automakers around the world. The market has already seen an increased demand for customizable adaptations in drive modes and regional considerations.

Visteon’s programmable user interface (UI) approach allows for the adaptation of the UI through a process, known as parametrization, and programming, rather than your standard asset-based “skin” development. This enables dynamic changes during development, allowing automakers to craft unique options for the users as a starting point, while allowing the end-consumer to have the autonomy to customize their own experience.

“We are very excited to finally share this innovation with the world at CES 2020,” commented Chris Gattis, industrial design leader for Visteon. “Those who visit Visteon’s booth will be able to test it out themselves with our interactive HMI station. Our guests will be able to design and customize their in-vehicle digital experience for the first time.”

“Besides the advantage to the user, we are eager to show automakers the benefits to their business,” Gattis added. “They will be able to gain valuable customer preference information and reduce the time and effort needed to develop additional assets for mid-cycle adjustments.”

Visteon customers and other interested stakeholders can request an appointment to experience the HMI station and see how Visteon is driving the cockpit revolution at CES 2020 in Central Plaza site 13. Learn more about what Visteon is showing by following us on social media.

Bringing 3D technology to the vehicle – no special glasses required

Blog written for Visteon Corporation - Ghost written during Sam’s time at the company

The century-old automotive industry is currently going through a mobility revolution that will completely change the way we interact with our vehicles. Today’s automakers are tapping into consumer technology trends, searching for ways to elevate the in-vehicle experience while enhancing safety.

To address this trend, Visteon’s human-machine interaction (HMI) designers are creating next-generation advancements that push the boundaries of what’s possible, while keeping safety the number one priority. One of those advancements is a 3D instrument cluster with a switchable lens.

The groundbreaking design did not come without challenges. It involved deep thinking and problem-solving from Visteon designers and engineers who had to think beyond traditional barriers to achieving a high range of depth in display images. While 3D effects can be achieved for your favorite sci-fi movie using special 3D glasses, this approach won’t work an automotive environment, so “auto-stereoscopic” techniques are required. Previously, other approaches included using multiple LCDs, which lacked the optical characteristics and transmittance to achieve acceptable backlight power levels required for automotive displays.

What’s behind this innovative 3D technology?

Visteon’s unique design incorporates 3D technologies with a thin-film transistor (TFT). Visteon has been working on next-generation of 3D solutions based on lenticular array technology – a combination of miniature lenses placed in front of the LCD and precisely aligned with the TFT pixels. The blending of these micro-lenses and certain sophisticated video processing procedures creates the 3D effect for the driver. Visteon’s cluster precisely tracks the position of the driver’s eyes. Video processing algorithms generate left-eye and right-eye views, while the micro-lens array directs each view toward the corresponding driver’s eye.

You may be thinking, “Why do I need a 3D instrument cluster in my vehicle?” Besides looking amazingly cool, the answer is safety. The 3D cluster has the unique ability to bring critical information to the forefront of the display when needed – with the image increasingly coming into view and gaining prominence until the driver responds in some way. It is a creative and compelling use of the primary interface with the driver – the instrument cluster – that will gain importance as vehicles become more automated. 

Semi-autonomous vehicles of the near future will already have integrated cameras to monitor the driver’s attention and state. Therefore, eye position information will be readily available for the 3D viewing system – at no additional system cost.

Research shows that a small minority of people cannot detect 3D images, and the technology is not suitable for everyone. Visteon’s engineers also developed this technology with a switchable lens – allowing the software to switch from 3D to the native 2D resolution under certain conditions.  

Visteon is currently demonstrating a prototype 3D cluster with a switchable 3D lens to major automakers around the world. A variation of our 3D cluster was also recently launched in Groupe PSA’s new PEUGEOT 208 – representing the first real 3D cluster in automotive production.

University of Maryland Student Named 2018 Buckfire Law Disability Scholarship Winner

Press release written for Buckfire Law Firm

SOUTHFIELD, MI – April 19, 2018 – Buckfire Law is pleased to announce that Natalie Sullivan of Spring, Texas, has been named this year’s recipient of the 2018 Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship.

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. is committed to helping students reach their goals. Realizing the financial roadblock many students face in pursuit of higher education, the firm established an annual scholarship award in 2013 committed to helping students with disabilities or injuries in the pursuit of their degree.  

Sullivan will be beginning her first year of graduate school this fall pursuing an Applied Linguistics degree at the University of Maryland – College Park. She intends to become either an ESL teacher or linguist to “help others overcome their own personal challenges of learning another language.”

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a young child, she has been determined never to let that diagnosis get in her way of accomplishing anything she set her mind to. From defying doctors' opinions that she would never walk, to participating in marching band and lacrosse in high school, and -- particularly -- in her studies, which led to a 3.9 GPA in both high school and during her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas.  

"Often people see how I walk and assume I'm not capable," Sullivan said. "But I want them to know that people with disabilities can be successful. By facing my personal challenges, I have learned that often trying my hardest and persevering, even when things are tough, can get me through even the most difficult situations.”

Each year, the Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship awards $1,000 to one student. The scholarship is available to students of any age, with any type of disability, including but not limited to physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental or psychiatric conditions, speech and language, learning disabilities, behavioral conditions, and all other conditions.

“Natalie is truly an inspiration to us all,” said Lawrence J. Buckfire, president and lead trial attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. “She has never let any obstacle stop her in whatever goals she has set for herself. She has a bright future, and we are extremely proud to have her as our Buckfire Disability Scholarship winner this year.”

Founded in 1969 by David Buckfire, Buckfire & Buckfire P.C. represents clients injured in all types of accident and injury cases. The firm offers a number of academic scholarships to assist exceptional students with high academic achievements complete their education.

For more information about the scholarship programs, visit our scholarships page or contact the scholarship committee at info@buckfirelaw.com.

Travel Warning for Yazaki Global Team Members

Communication written for Yazaki North America

On September 19, a strong earthquake struck western Puebla along with several strong reported aftershocks. In order to ensure the safety of our employees, we are asking all travelers to avoid going through Mexico City pending further notice until officials can inspect the city’s infrastructure for damage.

Our Mexico and U.S. travel teams are working diligently to get employees in Mexico home. For those traveling we ask that you work with your travel team and travel service to get to your destination while keeping the following safety guidelines in mind:

1. If you have pre-scheduled meetings, please reschedule them

2. Once we allow travelers to go through Mexico City, do so with caution and follow all security recommendations

3. Before traveling, obtain safety and road information from the area you are going to visit

4. Secure your transportation in CDMX departure and return to the airport

5. For your return to the airport, do so with plenty of time to avoid delays

6. For those with connecting flights at CDMX, be sure before you leave to check that the airport is operating without delays

7. On arrival, follow the security recommendations issued by the airport

8. Locate the evacuation routes

9. Respect the transfer areas inside the airport

10. Find the gate for your next flight and stay near it until boarding and takeoff

11. Keep an eye on your flight information and try to board it immediately

Thank you for your cooperation and support. Updates will be provided when able.