Automotive supplier Yanfeng has announced development of a new floor console concept called ‘touchFC’. The company has combined innovative kinematics and smart surfaces to create what it calls “an even safer and more effective human-vehicle interaction, where the main focus is on intuitive control elements.” A special highlight of the floor console is an electric storage box with integrated UV sanitising system.

The floor console is the most accessible interface for all passengers and has been designed for intuitive control to enable passengers to customise their interior space. As well as a variety of storage options, the touchFC concept provides smart surfaces with functional control elements. “Technologies that promote health and wellness were already a trending topic before the pandemic formed our New Normal. Today, people are even more concerned about hygiene in their cars. To help keep the interior hygienically clean, the touchFC includes UV sanitising and air ionising systems as well as next-level air venting technology,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for Yanfeng Technology.

Enabling improved interior hygiene
On the rear side of the floor console, easily accessible for passengers on the second row, is an electrically lockable storage box with UV sanitisation. Objects which are stored inside this are sanitized once the box has been closed. The air vent above the storage box is equipped with an integrated ionisation generator which removes dust, bacteria, and viruses from the air. Both the air vent and storage are operated by controls which are integrated into the floor console.

With the intuitive Smart Button integrated into the floor console, both the driver and passengers can adjust the armrests for greater comfort. A dedicated phone docking station has also been integrated at the front of the touchFC for wireless charging and improved accessibility to personal devices. At the end of the journey the phone is automatically lifted out of the docking station to facilitate access and as a reminder not to leave the device in the vehicle.

Generously dimensioned storage under the console provides adequate storage space. This is the result of consumer studies, which have repeatedly stated the lack of space for large personal items. Yanfeng says it has conducted a substantial amount of studies to refine its Smart Cabin vision to surpass OEM and end-user expectations.

The user-centered floor console concept is ready for series production for the next vehicle generation.