Traverse City, Michigan -- Colour-changing panels for auto interiors are being developed by Johnson Controls Inc and Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co as part of its new spin-off venture.
As previously reported at UTECH-polyurethane.com, the pair announced its automotive interiors partnership with a potential revenue stream of $7.5bn (EUR5.6bn) earlier this year. The deal is expected to close mid-2015.
According to Han Hendriks, vp advanced product development at JCI, the company is experimenting with swapping static plastic surfaces for smart surfaces that can perform additional functions.
Speaking at the Center for Automotive Research in Michigan - non-profit research organisation based in Ann Arbo - Hendriks said: “Our vision is that every dumb plastic surface will become smart in some form or shape.
“What you really want is when you enter a car is that it turns into your environment. So that you are able to create the specifics of the interior that you want to have, even if it’s not your car, but you enter it and the colours of the interior start to adapt to what you’ve programmed,” he said.
Future interior panels may have heating or cooling functions or be self-cleaning surfaces. The company’s research team is also experimenting with car interior surfaces that could change colours to match the motorist’s whim.
The work is being undertaken across three technical centres located in Dusseldorf, Shanghai and Holland, Michigan.
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