Mercedes-Benz patent: Using magnetic fields to control infotainment system via floating crystal ball

With the continuous efforts of automakers, the powertrain revolution is accelerating the transition from traditional internal combustion engines to electric motors, and the cabin is also undergoing a technological revolution. With the rapid popularization of smartphones and the improvement of infotainment technology, automakers have begun to integrate connected services such as Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and in-vehicle touch screens have become the latest extension of smartphones and smart homes.

Now, Mercedes-Benz has introduced the 56-inch ultra-wide Hyperscreen infotainment technology to its flagship pure electric EQS ​​sedan. The latest patent shows that Mercedes-Benz will continue to advance technological progress in the future through a revolutionary way to control the infotainment system. Let us forget the mainstream touch screen and voice control today, and use a new way to control the infotainment system with a floating crystal ball.

The new technology patent applied by Mercedes-Benz to the World Intellectual Property Office shows that this is a control device used to control vehicle functions, which can be actively activated by people for control, and the control device is designed as an object floating in a regulated magnetic field. With pictures as evidence, we can have a clearer understanding of this invention. Using magnetic field technology, a spherical control device floats above the center console. The control ball can hover and rotate freely. The sensor unit will be able to detect the activation and input of the control ball through light, motion, proximity and gyroscope sensors. The floating control ball can roll in multiple directions and can be pushed like a gear lever. Pressing the control ball can be used to click functions or select menu options.

This invention seems to be similar to a wizard's magic ball. It looks like a glass or crystal ball, but considering the magnetic field, it should be a metal ball with a permanent magnet installed. In fact, Kia has already applied a rotating sphere drive control device to the EV6 electric car. Of course, it is just a traditional mechanical concept without hovering and rotating functions.

The new patent application does not mean that this design is safe to use and will be put into use in the future. Take the floating crystal ball of Mercedes-Benz, for example. It is not impossible that there are potential design flaws. For example, the control ball needs to be suspended by a magnetic field, but it also needs a strong enough magnetic force to keep it in place. Imagine that when the control ball flies out of the magnetic field, it will make a huge turn and eventually hit the face of the passenger, or there will be an embarrassing scene like Elon Musk smashing the car window when showing Tesla Cybertruck.

In fact, due to the global shortage of chips in the automotive industry, some new BMW cars no longer offer touch screens. Does this new invention of Mercedes-Benz also mean that the large-size touch screens that are popular now will become a thing of the past in the near future? For more news about Mercedes-Benz, please stay tuned for follow-up reports.