It was just this year that we first laid eyes on the Acura Precision Concept car. Based on the striking exterior design of that vehicle, the automaker has now revealed a stand-alone cockpit concept … appropriately known as the Acura Precision Cockpit. We checked it out at the LA Auto Show.
Although it's a partner to the Precision Concept car, the Cockpit's seats, steering wheel and drive mode dial are all inspired by those of the NSX – according to the company, this points "toward a sporty future for the Acura brand."
Finishes used in the cockpit include brushed metal, natural wood, leather and alcantara (basically synthetic suede), with mood lighting provided by amber LEDs. A 12.3-inch driver's display is mounted in the instrument panel, and is matched by a center display placed close to the driver's natural line-of-sight. The color schemes of those displays change to compliment the driving mode selected – white for Snow, blue for Comfort, red for Sport and orange for Sport Plus.
Working with sensors in the car, the driver's display offers real-time 3D representations of other motor vehicles on the road, along with cyclists and pedestrians. It even uses artificial intelligence to predict their pathways, in order to warn drivers of potential collisions.
Users navigate the center display not by touching its screen, but instead by using a curved touchpad conveniently located at the base of the center stack. While some luxury cars do already use a remote-control system like this, the "absolute position mapping" employed by the Precision Cockpit is claimed to offer much more precise touchscreen-like control.
The Cockpit additionally serves as a preview for the next-generation Acura OS. This Android-based system "will power future production cars, providing secure access to mobile apps, data and content." Information will be displayed on dedicated zones on the center console, allowing users to switch through settings including audio, weather and notifications.
According to the company, "The Acura Precision Cockpit will be evolved into the new interior design for production vehicles starting in the next few years." It's demonstrated in the video below.
Source: Acura
