SAE TOMORROW TODAY: Transforming the Dashboard with Haptic Feedback

A dashboard free of traditional buttons? It's just one way Nissan is redefining our interaction with cars through haptic feedback. In the new Ariya electric crossover, Nissan opted for a button-less dashboard over the ever-growing tablet-sized screen. Their goal is a clean and calming dashboard experience rather than a wide array of buttons and complicated menus. By creating a smooth, haptic feedback control panel with only the most important functions, consumers can focus on their main task: driving. So, how does haptic feedback work? The control panel in the Ariya reacts to touch, communicating through fingertip vibrations. To adjust settings like climate controls and drive modes, drivers interact with a familiar set of icons. However, because the points of interaction are felt and heard rather than seen, drivers can remain focused on the road ahead. We sat down with Adam Tacey, Senior Manager, Nissan Marketability and Testing at Nissan North America, to discuss the company's new generation of haptic feedback controls and the critical relationship between design and function.