Coming soon: hand gestures to control car functions
Auto company engineers and human-machine interface directors say its a logical step from voice commands like Phone home to a wave of the hand to start the car radio. Some new models already have functions controlled by gestures.
Hyundai demonstrated its 3-D gesture system at the Consumer Electronics Show recently. Slated to appear on the HCD-14 Genesis concept car, it lets the user control air conditioning or instrument cluster displays with a wave of the hand. The aim, a Hyundai engineer told USA Today, is safety and ease of use.
Another example: In an effort to prevent drowsy driving, Lexus has put an infrared camera in its 2013 GS and LS that scans the drivers face for signs of sleepiness or looking away from the road. The camera works together with a radar that can detect whether another vehicle is nearby and a crash is imminent. If so, the brakes are automatically deployed and the seat belts tightened.
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