Synaptics showcased its latest automotive technologies at Embedded World 2025, focusing on driver identification and dual-display processing. Their touch and display driver ICs, along with discrete touch solutions, integrate capacitive sensing to distinguish between driver and passenger interactions. A waveform generator embedded beneath the driver’s seat emits a signal that propagates through the body. When the driver touches the screen, the system recognizes their ID, enabling access to critical functions while restricting distractions like video playback.
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Synaptics is my Embedded World 2025 video coverage sponsor, check out my Synaptics videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7xXqJFxvYvhAbQoe9YN4c84SqXxIY3fQ
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This technology is designed to enhance road safety by preventing drivers from engaging in activities that could cause distractions. For example, while driving, the system disables texting and entertainment apps, ensuring that only essential navigation or vehicle controls remain accessible. Meanwhile, passengers who lack the waveform generator signal can freely interact with the infotainment system without restrictions. This feature offers OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers a streamlined way to comply with safety regulations and improve user experience.
The integration process is straightforward, as the waveform generator operates within a ±5% frequency tolerance, making it adaptable across different vehicle designs. It remains functional regardless of a person’s clothing or body size, ensuring consistent identification accuracy. Synaptics promotes this technology for next-generation vehicle models, collaborating with leading car manufacturers to implement it in upcoming designs.
Beyond driver detection, Synaptics introduced its SmartBridge technology, which enables efficient multi-display management in vehicles. The SmartBridge chip supports DisplayPort MST (Multi-Stream Transport), allowing a single video cable to drive two independent displays. This reduces complexity and cost by eliminating extra video cables, control units, and additional processing hardware.
SmartBridge’s integrated local dimming enhances display contrast, bringing LCD screens closer to OLED-level black performance. By dynamically adjusting backlight zones, this feature improves visibility in bright conditions, reducing eye strain and keeping drivers more focused on the road. The resulting sharpness and clarity contribute to a safer and more immersive driving experience.
Energy efficiency is another key advantage of Synaptics’ local dimming technology. By selectively reducing backlight intensity in dark areas, it significantly lowers power consumption. Tests demonstrate that enabling local dimming can cut display power usage by up to 50%, which is especially beneficial for electric vehicles, helping to extend driving range by conserving battery energy.
Synaptics is actively working with automotive display manufacturers across Europe, Asia, and North America to integrate these solutions into future vehicles. Given the typical automotive development cycle, it takes approximately two to three years from initial integration to commercial deployment. With the increasing demand for advanced cockpit features in electric and self-driving cars, such innovations are becoming essential.
By combining driver identification, multi-display efficiency, and power-saving enhancements, Synaptics is positioning itself at the forefront of automotive HMI (Human-Machine Interface) development. These technologies will shape the next generation of smart vehicles, ensuring both safety and a high-performance user experience.
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