Inner Visions

Automated-driving and ADAS functionalities continue to influence some of the latest cabin safety and materials trends.

Evolving market realities have OEMs and automated-driving system developers adjusting once-aggressive timelines for deploying high-level driving automation. But new materials and safety technology for vehicle interiors continue to be influenced by advancing AV and ADAS functionalities. Regardless of how much driving automation is at play, vehicle cabins are evolving because of the possibilities - and challenges - automation and ADAS present.

An array of launching or soon-to-arrive safety features, driver-information technology and materials innovations don't need AV applications as a reason for being, however. Drew Winter, Informa Tech Automotive's principal analyst - Cockpit of the Future, said that some of the feature and safety requirements of electric-vehicle and younger-demographic customers align with the technology directions for AVs and ADAS. New sustainable upholstery choices are a feature many current EV and young buyers desire, for example. Those same types of materials may also better address the durability and serviceability needs of automated shuttles and robotaxis.