Planar Teams Up with Sagem and Johnson Controls to Develop Innovative '3-D' Instrument Cluster Display
9 January 2001
Planar Teams Up with Sagem and Johnson Controls to Develop Innovative '3-D' Instrument Cluster Display
BEAVERTON, Ore.--Jan. 9, 2001--Transparent Electroluminescent (EL) Technology Adds a New Dimension to
Vehicle Display
Planar Systems, Inc. is demonstrating an innovative "3-D" instrument cluster display, developed in conjunction with leading automotive suppliers Sagem and Johnson Controls.
The dual-plane display was first unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in October, as part of Johnson Controls' Kion concept vehicle. The semi-circular transparent electroluminescent (EL) display provides speedometer, gear selection, and fuel level information and appears to "float", allowing the viewing of additional information on displays behind it. The transparent display solves the challenge of displaying more information safely in the crowded cluster area by overlaying information, an increasing problem as the amount of data increases with new telematics applications.
"Our industrial designers came up with an approach that could only be realized with a display not readily available in the market," said Rusty Lhamon, Business Development Manager Electronics at Johnson Controls. "Sagem and Planar were able to quickly deliver a bright, easily readable transparent display. Customer interest has been very high in our KION platform, and especially with the instrument section."
"The prospect of adding a 'depth dimension' to the already crowded instrument cluster really appeals to the transportation industry," said Erick Petersen, director of marketing and business development for Planar's Transportation Business Unit. "Johnson Controls, Sagem, and Planar put together an impressive concept solution in a short timeframe. We are investigating a number of other applications for this innovative transparent EL technology.
"Today we have a concept that is drawing significant customer interest," added Petersen. "We see this as a very typical example of how we will apply innovation to bring fresh ideas to the automotive industry."
Separately, Sagem and Johnson Controls have reached a Peer Partnering(TM) agreement. Peer Partnering is a core business strategy for Johnson Controls. The company has made a commitment to co-develop advanced electronics for integration into automotive vehicle interiors, supported by a group of strategic relationships.
About Planar Systems, Inc.
Planar Systems is a worldwide leader in the development and marketing of high performance information display systems currently supplied to more than 1,000 customers. The company is at the leading edge in providing customers in the medical, transportation and industrial markets with value-added products that allow digital and video information to be viewed in a wide range of applications. Planar's displays are available in a broad spectrum of technologies and are integrated as prominent and visible components into customers' products serving the needs of a mobile and interconnected world. The company has manufacturing and sales operations in the United States and Europe. Visit our web site at www.planar.com.
About Johnson Controls
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls -- which employs more than 77,000 people at 285 facilities worldwide -- achieved US$12.7 billion in sales for the 2000 fiscal year. In model-year 2001, it will supply interior products for more than 23 million vehicles.
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services, energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls , founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its sales for 2000 totaled US$17.2 billion.
About Sagem
Groupe SAGEM is an internationally based high-technology group that employs 15,700 people, including 8,100 technical and managerial staff. The second largest French group in the field of telecommunications and the third largest European company in electronics for defense and security, SAGEM is also one of the leaders in automotive electronics equipment. SAGEM maintains a presence in more than twenty countries and has manufacturing centers in Germany, Brazil, Spain, the United States and the Czech Republic. For more information, please visit our website: www.sagem.com
PLANAR and the Definition of Quality are registered trademarks of Planar Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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