Alpine PulseTouchT System Features On Jaguar's Advanced Lightweight Coupe

This System showcases the future of in-car graphics with tactile feedback and Alpine’s first application of Macromedia Flash

Detroit Auto Show: A groundbreaking mobile multimedia system from in-car entertainment specialists Alpine Electronics makes its debut this week in the Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe show car. The system combines Alpine’s award winning* PulseTouch technology - which uses vibrations, pressure and sound to simulate the sensation of using real buttons - with Alpine’s first ever application of Macromedia Flash, the state of the art graphics system that powers some of the world’s most exciting multimedia presentations. Moving from one screen to another becomes child’s play with tactile confirmation of commands and outstanding graphics, similar to visiting a top quality website.

PulseTouch represents the next generation in human interface design for mobile electronics products by delivering tactile confirmation of on-screen commands through the user's fingertips. The technology simulates a variety of key styles to give the effect of holding down, tapping, sliding or pushing a button. As an added safety feature users can even feel the edges of each key when tracing their finger over the screen, enabling them to locate buttons while keeping their eyes on the road.

"By combining PulseTouch with the latest Macromedia Flash graphics we’re redefining the boundaries of human interface design and full multimedia system control," explains Alpine’s sales and marketing director Dave Sheen. "With tactile commands and graphics of the quality you’d normally expect on a website this really is the in-car interface of the future."

The innovative touch screen forms an integral part of the car interior.

Positioned in the centre of the instrument panel the system controls all the key features of the vehicle’s infotainment system. The use of the touch screen and its radical GUI (Graphical User Interface) has introduced much cleaner lines to the dashboard, reducing the number of buttons and making selection less bewildering. From this single screen, audio, navigation, climate control, telephone and vehicle settings can all be adjusted making it a critical design component in the driving experience. The central position allows passenger and driver equal access to the system commands and latest LCD means the viewing angles, anti-reflection and glare properties are at the leading edge of the technology.