Harman Technology Vision

During the development of this video in 2016, AI assistants were a fresh concept that had yet to be perfected. Only the simplest of AI existed in day-to-day life. With Harman ahead of the game, we wanted to craft sophisticated UI that could easily represent the advanced capabilities and support possibilities of AI. Viewers can see the various streams of calendar, recent presentation files, weather, flight information and meetings all being processed to report about the user’s day, which appear in an instant after she asks for a run-down. This shows the processing speed and advanced data examination of the AI.

Our team pitched this blue-sky idea to Harman as something that would be possible to leverage in vehicles of the future. This is technology did not exist in the consumer space at the time, but was being developed in research labs. Sensors and touch points are woven into threads to form a smart fabric. In this showcase, these smart textiles are used within the armrest of the vehicle and could activate invisibly within the vehicle to be a scroll wheel, a volume control or a selector. All of these were meant to be intuitive and limit driver distraction by being placed ergonomically within the vehicle. We visualized these smart fabric concepts through delicate bumps in the armrest to show how the center console is reading touch inputs.

These mid-air haptics were array of sonic actuators that could direct various frequencies at a user's hand that allow them to "feel" an invisible control or interface. Harman partnered with UltraHaptics to develop this technology. In order to properly craft the visualization for this section, Harman provided our team with an array for our office so we could feel the types of sensations that were possible with the pad, allowing us to design for it. The subtly shifting sphere in the user’s hand mimics the sensation of the sonic actuators on the palm and fingers to give off the feeling of holding a globe.

In this scene, the car is reading facial and retinal cues to detect when a user is tired or distracted. Using cameras, sensors and scans, the technology can interpret the distraction level of the driver through longer blinks and atypical eye movements. The technology can then recommend for the user to pull off the road and rest to avoid accidents.

Automotive makers have noise dampening technology that monitor vibrations of the frame and materials of the car. We conceptualized the idea of a sound curtain that could dampen exterior noises around the vehicle. The showcase demonstrates the loud volume of a nearby truck. This truck has a certain frequency, and we visualize how Harman’s technology can distribute an inverse frequency to cancel out the noise.

Harman’s technology is also capable of generating new ambience to assist in the exterior cancelation. However, for the purpose of safety, the AI assistant can detect an approaching ambulance and reduce the user’s soundscape. This helps her to hear the emergency vehicle through the din and safely get out of the way to allow it to pass.

With flares of UI and scans reminiscent of holograms, we interpreted how projector headlights can change colors utilize sensors to detect and illuminate an oncoming path. These headlights show hazards and can assist way-finding in an unfamiliar and potentially unpaved environment.

At the end of our showcase, the user activates these drones that utilize directional speakers, noise cancellation and lighting. The drones’ lights can change color and point a spotlight on the campsite while the directional speakers can play music exclusively for the user’s campsite without causing noise pollution for other gatherings in the park.