Lear Innovations Abound on TransG(TM) Consoles, Instrument Panel Pod
1 March 1999
Lear Innovations Abound on TransG(TM) Consoles, Instrument Panel Pod
DETROIT, March 1 -- Lear Corporation designers
and engineers didn't shy away from the challenges of accessibility in
developing creative console systems and a unique instrument panel (IP) pod for
its TransG(TM) interiors concept.
In designing features to accommodate baby boomers as they enter their
senior years, it was critical to factor in the normal physical changes that
occur with aging, regardless of how active and healthy the individual's
lifestyle is. The physical and psychological requirements included keeping
controls simple, uncluttered and formatted according to usage, frequency and
sequence of use, and function; eliminating background noise and using louder
low frequencies; minimizing reach by keeping all controls within a zone of
elbow to fingertips; illuminating controls directly locating controls and
displays within convenient sight lines; and providing large buttons and
levers, adequate hand clearance and ease of effort for all controls.
Instead of adjusting the driver's seat fore and aft relative to the IP,
TransG offers a cantilevered IP pod with adjustable driver's side pod, foot
pedals and steering wheel.
Easy-to-reach, large, soft-touch buttons are mounted on the steering wheel
and driver's side pod, allowing easy access to functions such as radio and
climate controls, cruise and wiper controls, as well as transmission controls
and voice activation for TransG's navigation system. The navigational system
is activated on the center console and is capable of guiding the driver to
selected destinations by way of voice and visual commands -- hands free.
Dials and gauges are easier to read by using specially selected colors and
graphics that are "vision friendly." The LCD monitor located in the front
center console contains template-guided, touch-screen controls that allow the
monitor to be reconfigured for controlling the music, climate controls, radio
and navigation systems.
The passenger side instrument panel pod has a glove box with a roll top
lid and plenty of storage.
The center console offers an easy access electronic display with large,
soft touch main controls, template guide for touch panel controls and large,
simple icons. The center console also provides a number of features including
climate controls, outlets and reconfigurable storage drawers. It also
features easy-reach, pullout storage drawers, "push-push" activation for ease
in opening compartments and large, easy-to-reach-and-see seat controls with
soft-buttons.
The rear console has a generous compartment featuring two collapsible tray
tables with cup holders and power accessory outlets.
Lear Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is one of the world's largest
automotive suppliers, with 1998 sales of $9.1 billion. The company's world-
class automotive interior products are designed, engineered and manufactured
by more than 60,000 employees in nearly 200 facilities located in 28
countries. Information about Lear and its products is available on the
Internet at http://www.lear.com.