Picture credit: Atmel

Manufacturer of microcontrollers and touch solutions, Atmel, has unveiled a raft of technology concepts that it hopes will disrupt the connected car ecosystem.

Atmel has been working on a product it is calling AvantCar, an automotive centre console with curved touch screens. The concept makes use of the company’s sensor and processing solutions, Sense, maXTouch and QTouch along with its 8-bit AVR MCU technologies.

Focusing on car access, Atmel has shone some light on passive entry and passive start technologies too. The company envisages that consumers could use these developments for touch and proximity detection.

Tablet control

The car access technology can all be controlled by a tablet device that is pre-installed with Atmel’s maXTouch technologies. It uses key fob activation and radio frequency hardware such as the ATA5791, ATA5831 and more.

In aiming to bring the internet of things to the connected car, Atmel has also showcased a door handle powered by Atmel's fourth generation LIN device that has a curved, touch-enabled glass display.

Multi touch is featured on the door handle concept as well, which could provide an interesting platform for future automotive app developments. The whole package is said to make use of Atmel’s XSense and the maXTouch 2952T products.

The future of the centre console

While Atmel’s hardware might not be ready to install in vehicles for the next few years, Rob Valiton, the company’s senior vice president and general manager of its automotive, aerospace and memory business units, is sure that it is an accurate portrayal of the cars to come.

“The connected car concept is a look into what’s to come in the next 5-7 years, and Atmel’s AvantCar concept is a demonstration showcasing this concept in the centre console,” he said.

“Our customers are currently looking for solutions that will enable a secure, connected car, especially in the era of the Internet of Things.”

In its latest financials. there was an expectation from analysts that Atmel’s increased focus on the internet of things might help it to a better-than-expected Q3. However the company only managed to meet those expectations rather than better them, causing a drop in share prices.