Continental developed an innovative display that allows vehicle information to be displayed dynamically, either in a private mode or visible to everyone.
Continental Private Mode Provides Less Driver Distraction
With the new display technology, Switchable Privacy Display, the technology company allows front passengers to use multimedia content such as videos or the infotainment system without distracting the driver from road traffic. If necessary and the traffic situation permits, all vehicle passengers can optionally be given access to this content by means of a switchover. Conventional displays, which up to now have been offered primarily for passengers, do not enable flexible switching to a private mode. With the new display solution, Continental is aiming for a digital experience that minimises distraction. The user experience is becoming a fundamentally distinguishing feature and game changer in the mobility of tomorrow. The crucial factor here is that Continental also provides the front passenger with new infotainment options.
Although privacy functions have been used for some time for laptop displays, they were not previously suitable for use in the automotive sector. Using private mode, users prevent content from being viewed by people in their immediate vicinity. During the development of the new display technology, Continental succeeded in using this technology for the first time for the special requirements in the vehicle and combining the light in privacy mode in such a way that less than one percent of light emission is received by the driver. This does not impair their awareness. At the same time, the display generates a high-quality image.
By switching the privacy function on or off, the display makes content visible either to only the front passenger or to all passengers. Thanks to the expertise in back-illumination and plastics technology, Switchable Privacy Display includes a range of key components that developed and also manufactured by themselves. This enables to meet the highest quality requirements both from vehicle manufacturers and users in terms of contrast, luminance, and image homogeneity. In addition, Continental will continue to increase energy efficiency until it is launched on the market, thereby making the technology even more sustainable. The market launch of the new Switchable Privacy Display is planned for 2024.
