Continental, Swarovski Mobility showcase Crystal Center Display at CES 2024

Continental, in collaboration with Swarovski Mobility, has unveiled the Crystal Center Display, a groundbreaking automotive display embedded in a stylish crystal housing. This world-first 10-inch display, showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, integrates minimalist luxury into car interiors with its frameless and semi-transparent appearance. The microLED technology behind the display offers unparalleled brightness and contrast, creating the illusion that the screen content is floating within the crystal body.

“With the Crystal Center Display as a key component, we want to turn the world of interior design on its head and create an innovative focal point for premium vehicles of the future – one that grabs attention and stirs emotions. We are moving away from the straightforward display of information and elevating it to a highly personalized user experience,” said Dr. Boris Mergell, head of the User Experience (UX) business area in Continental.

Developed in partnership with Swarovski Mobility, the crystal housing features a unique facet cut, adding a three-dimensional and elegant touch to the Crystal Center Display. This crystal form allows automotive designers to explore new ways of interpreting a minimalist aesthetic in luxury car interiors. Positioned as a key control element at the heart of the vehicle's operating concept, the Crystal Center Display transforms the display of information into a highly personalized user experience.

“The Crystal Center Display is the result of a combination of production and process technologies which together with Continental we implemented into an innovative new design element – one that is as impressive visually as it is technically,” explained Peter Widmann, Senior Vice President B2B and Managing Director at Swarovski Mobility. He continued: “In this way, our crystal becomes much more than just an interior design element – users experience it as a key interaction interface in the vehicle.”

The collaboration between Continental and Swarovski Mobility aimed to bring together technology and aesthetics, emphasizing the volumetric crystal panel with distinctive faceting. The crystal element, tinted and transparent, provides a clear view of the center console behind it. The Crystal Center Display introduces a revolutionary approach to in-car virtual assistance systems, blurring the boundaries between technology and intuitive interaction.

To achieve the illusion of a floating display, the Crystal Center Display utilises advanced microLED technology, known for its self-illuminating pixels, superior brightness, and excellent contrast. This cutting-edge display technology opens the door to exciting new luxury interior concepts that could shape the future of automobiles.

Continental's Crystal Center Display was honored with a CES Innovation Award Honoree for outstanding product design in the "vehicle tech & advanced mobility" category. The display's innovative and minimalist design, coupled with its technical features, impressed the CES jury.

Continental's presentation at CES 2024 demonstrates its commitment to showcasing mobility innovations, from road to cloud. The Crystal Center Display stands as a testament to the company's dedication to pushing the boundaries of automotive design and technology.