Delphi Takes Lead in Modular Cockpit Supply
9 September 1999
Delphi Takes Lead in Modular Cockpit Supply
TROY, Mich., Sept. 9 -- Delphi Automotive Systems
will assert its leadership position in modular cockpit supply at the
Frankfurt Motor Show next week by offering OEMs two new advantages to
modularity: functionality and design freedom.
These advantages come from Delphi's next-generation cockpit, which will
give OEMs unprecedented flexibility in changing a vehicle's interior styling
and performance characteristics.
The technology builds on Delphi's long-time expertise in modular cockpit
design and supply. Delphi has successfully delivered on complicated modular
cockpit assembly, design and supply-chain management programs for OEMs such as
Mercedes-Benz, Fiat and General Motors Corp.
Delphi Driving the Near-Term Future -- Next-Generation Cockpit
Delphi's next-generation cockpit offers unforeseen design possibilities
for OEMs and breakthrough consumer benefits.
"Delphi is giving vehicle manufacturers the opportunity to please and
excite customers by providing drivers with greater control over their driving
experience," said Anthony Gardner, Delphi's director of modular products.
"In design, OEMs will have the flexibility to transform vehicles from
left-hand drive or right-hand drive in a matter of seconds. Vehicle owners
will have the flexibility to change their ride from a 'touring sedan' feel to
a 'sportier' feel, all with the push of a button.
"We have led the industry in the trend of delivering pre-built, pre-tested
modular cockpits just-in-time and sequenced-in-line. We continue to lead the
emerging trend of component and sub-system integration, and now we are taking
the technology to the next step," Gardner said.
The fundamental concept behind Delphi's next-generation cockpit module is
replacing traditional mechanical linkages with electrical/electronic systems.
It includes elements of Delphi's Drive-by-Wire technologies -- Brake-by-Wire,
Throttle-by-Wire and Steer-by-Wire.
"This is a highly adaptable technology, enabling controls to be placed
anywhere in the cockpit using 'plug-and-play' units," Gardner said.
"One possible adaptation of the technology places the throttle and braking
functions on the steering arm as electronic controls. This further reduces
the mass and part numbers of the cockpit, simplifies the assembly and
packaging, and allows for better integration with other vehicle systems."
The modular "plug-and-play" technology allows the use of one structural
cross-car support system to be used across multiple vehicle platforms.
Features and design elements can easily be added or changed by "plugging in"
different driver, passenger and center modules, allowing for varying feature
levels and cockpit appearances.
Included in the driver- and passenger-side modules are head-up displays
(HUDs) for driver information and passenger information/entertainment. The
center module includes a flat-panel display featuring audio, HVAC controls,
navigation and instrumentation. With this concept, conversion from
left- to right-hand drive is accomplished by releasing a lock and rotating the
vehicle control module from the left side of the cockpit to the right side.
Controls and information systems are personalized and stored in the cockpit
control center, which can be programmed for the driver.
"By selecting a program or inserting a smart card, the driver can
customize the driving experience. He has the flexibility to choose the
vehicle ride and handling, steering and braking efforts, information displays
and climate controls," Gardner said. "Passengers can also personalize their
environment with features such as memory seats, mirrors, climate controls and
radio stations."
The smart card, physically resembling a credit card, would contain an
electronically imbedded chip. It would essentially replace the ignition key,
and would be inserted in the center stack of the cockpit, where most of the
vehicle's electronics are located.
"The vehicle owner could even use the smart card in another vehicle,"
Gardner said. "Because the smart card would contain all of the driver's
programming and complete set of calibrations, the driver could customize the
driving experience in a vehicle that has compatible capabilities. This opens
up a whole new world for drivers."
Delphi Today -- Solving the Cockpit Challenge
Delphi continues its progression from simplifying the cockpit,
historically one of the most complicated, tightly packaged and inaccessible
areas of any vehicle. Delphi is able to deliver tomorrow's modular cockpit
technology through its expertise and capabilities.
"Delphi has expertise in the entire continuum of modularization -- from
assembly process, management and selection of suppliers, sharing of design
responsibilities, to the complete alignment of responsibilities. Our level of
integration is dependent upon the customer's needs," Gardner said. "The best
situation is when we are involved during the vehicle design phase, when
solution alternatives can best be incorporated into the mainstream program as
opposed to being added as an afterthought. We can then solve the cockpit
challenge within each vehicle's brand character."
Delphi's level of integration varies among its customers. Delphi
assembles cockpit components for Fiat, GM and DaimlerChrysler. For
Mercedes-Benz United States International (MBUSI), Delphi not only had
significant design input on the M-Class vehicle, but continues to manage the
entire cockpit supply chain and just-in-time, sequenced-in-line delivery
system. MBUSI has no need to worry about cockpit logistics and supplier
quality and can concentrate on assembling the rest of the vehicle.
Delphi will produce more than 700,000 modular cockpits this year for Fiat,
GM and DaimlerChrysler, which is a significant increase from when the product
was first introduced in 1993.
"Five or six years ago, industry observers said a single supplier could
not coordinate an entire cockpit from design to delivery. But we did it, and
more vehicle manufacturers are exploring modularization as an option," Gardner
said. "Now we're ready to lead the industry to the next level."
Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is a
world leader in automotive component and systems technology. Delphi's
three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately
201,000 employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing sites,
51 customer centers and sales offices, and 27 technical centers
in 36 countries. Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao
Paulo. Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com .