FARMINGTON HILLS – Combatting distracted driving through intuitive Human Machine Interface (HMI) technology is the goal of Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH (BHTC). Our company is a global leader in air conditioning controls and HMI components for the automotive industry, including our latest innovations allowing us to expand into e-mobility.
BHTC engineering teams have developed technologies that include palm recognition and fingerprint recognition, as well as multi-touch capability. Such recognition can occur on traditional metal and polymer surfaces, and now we can deliver these technologies with leather surfaces.
To eliminate the need for constant visual confirmation, we use haptics – force feedback – combined with acoustic feedback, to eliminate the need for the driver to validate input.
In addition to touch-sensitive solutions, BHTC will offer customers 3D gesture control systems. These will provide increased driving safety by reducing distracted driving.
These technologies assist drivers in focusing their mental resources on traffic flow and movement, while making control of the vehicle’s climate and entertainment functions extremely intuitive. Despite all of the distractions connected technology presents to the driver, our HMI systems allow drivers to focus on the road.
At BHTC, cutting-edge technologies create new opportunities. Touch sensors and proximity sensors enhance user “surprise and delight,” as do high-resolution displays with black-panel effects. For us, comfort includes graceful and elegant surfaces derived from various materials just as much as the climate control system itself.
Know-how in thermal management extends beyond the comfortable cabins of hybrid and electric vehicles. Energy storage and power electronics may be integrated holistically. This not only ensures safety, but takes into account waste heat. Using proprietary control algorithms over fresh air, mass air flow or humidity management, we at BHTC can reduce CO2 emissions and increase range for HEV, PHEV and EV vehicles. Neglecting energy consumption, particularly in winter, by using inefficient blower controllers or electric heaters creates unnecessary energy use. BHTC provides highly efficient blower controllers and the world’s first high-voltage electric heaters in volume production, expanding the company’s role in e-mobility.
BHTC core competencies include high-quality operating elements, such as buttons and knobs, various display technologies, as well as contemporary lighting concepts for day and night. Also, we implement operator controls using customer-specific requirements, according to ergonomic guidelines that result in intuitive handling and touch–and–feel.
At BHTC, our climate control panels utilize powerful electronics to process highly complex climate-control algorithms. Controls range from manual control panels to fully automated four-zone climate-control systems. These systems may utilize customer software, or complete systems with fully-qualified intelligent BHTC control algorithms that ensure optimum individual comfort regardless of environmental conditions.
Our competencies include development of highly sophisticated, customer-specific, design surfaces, as well as the functional integration of modern touch technologies. Based on customer preference, functional and ambient lighting – as well as black-panel and multi-color representation (MCR) – may be used. We also use all known surface coatings – varnish, films, metalized surfaces with chrome and PVD coatings, real metals, elastomers, or glass and ceramic materials.
Christian Thiele is general manager and CEO at Behr Hella Thermocontrol (BHTC) Inc. Prior to taking on the duties of CEO, Thiele was director, HVAC business development and localization for Webasto Thermo & Comfort North America, Inc., where he was responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive strategic plans to increase revenue and profits.
