ZF Unveils SHI: A New Cockpit for Safe Human‑Machine Interaction

Automotive systems supplier ZF has unveiled a new driving environment, or “cockpit”, as car interiors are increasingly called these days. 

The companies say the new “Safe Human Interaction Cockpit” enables human drivers and electronic drivers enhances to work better together.

This “seamless” integration enables “enhanced safety” and easy operation of complex driving systems, wether they are human-controlled or autonomous, say the companies.

“Transfers of control between man and machine are performed unobtrusively and intuitively,” they add.

The seat can adjust automatically to suit all kinds of driver across a wide variety of situations.

The vehicle provides feedback on control interventions in a clear, transparent, and unambiguous way, and the intelligent electronic assistance makes it easy to adjust.

There is often a wide gulf between the potential safety and convenience enhancements that could be achieved by automated driving systems and the perception of the personal vehicle user of how these systems will work.

The SHI Cockpit dispels this discrepancy, says ZF.

Uwe Class, director of safe mobility systems in the corporate advanced engineering department at ZF, says: “It really does simplify the handover scenarios between humans and machines.

“Furthermore, drivers are kept in the picture about which driving mode is active at any given time. This increases the acceptance level for these important functions.”

ZF has integrated its Active Vehicle Aura into the SHI Cockpit. AVA networks of all assistance systems together – for example, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warnings, and lane keeping assist.

This gives the human driver a “bird’s eye view” of the entire vehicle’s systems through the new Head-Up Display Instrument Cluster.

“No matter whether you are driving, or letting the car drive itself, our SHI Cockpit makes communication with complex systems so simple that it is self-evident and understandable,” says Class.

“This enables assistance systems and automated driving functions to be perceived as the best friends that they, viewed objectively, already are.”

ZF developed the SHI Cockpit in close cooperation with fka, an automotive technology researcha nd development company, and Faurecia, which specialises in seating.

ZF says the seats in the SHI Cockpit have an extended range of adjustment and can automatically conform to each individual driver’s requirements.

“Nonetheless, safety remains at a high level because our airbags, the active seat belt, and the active seat-belt clip are integrated in the seat in the SHI Cockpit,” says Class.

Eric Vanel, system and mechanical integration director in the cockpit of the future department at Faurecia, says: “The combination of ZF and Faurecia products solutions offer the best possible comfort for the users during ingress and egress.”