Visteon Corporation, a Tier 1 automotive supplier solely focused on the digital cockpit market, has revealed details of its project to design the new, all-digital cluster found on the 2021 Ford F-150.
It states that by leaving traditional gauge design behind and establishing bold interface enhancements coupled with a new HMI, its dash solution refreshes the model’s cockpit with a contemporary shape – integrating high resolution graphics that deliver drive modes to suit a wide range of roads, environments and weather conditions.
Part of Ford’s revamp of the F-150 was a full interior restyling effort, at the center of which is the 12.4in digital cluster from Visteon, which it claims not only forms an integral element of the in-car user experience but also improves the aesthetics, without detracting from safety critical functions or reducing connectivity for all vehicle occupants.
A key feature of the display is a large information-on-demand panel, which includes truck-specific graphics and animations that respond to the F-150’s selectable drive modes – as well as displaying off-roading data and turn-by-turn navigation.
For selected variants of the F-150, the auto maker also enlisted Visteon as the provider of its telematics control unit (TCU). The TCU provides an embedded modem, delivering remote vehicle functions including lock and unlock, start and cancel start, and air condition conditioning, as well as wi-fi hotspot and fleet telematics.
The company also highlights that it supplies the scalable audio solution for the F-150 including its audio head unit (AHU), which works in conjunction with Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system. It points out that the AHU not only provides audio from traditional sources, but offers a customized vehicle experience with vehicle specific chimes, engine sound enhancement (ESE) and network interfaces enabling branded audio solutions across trim levels.
