Antolin Smart Surface HMI Advances Solid-State Vehicle Controls

Antolin and UltraSense Collaborate on Smart Surface HMI

Antolin, a global supplier of vehicle interior technology solutions, and UltraSense Systems, a developer of solid-state user interface technologies, have announced a collaborative initiative focused on developing a next-generation Smart Surface HMI system for a future automotive platform. Under the initiative, UltraSense Systems will contribute advanced electronics, sensing architecture, firmware, and algorithms, while Antolin will provide expertise in solution integration, engineering, and industrialization. The collaboration combines the companies’ respective capabilities to develop an HMI approach intended for integration into future vehicle interiors.

Solid-State System Adds Touch and Force Sensing

The Antolin Smart Surface HMI solution is designed as an upgrade over conventional vehicle controls through a thin, configurable solid-state system that incorporates both touch and force sensing capabilities. Rather than relying solely on traditional physical controls, the technology is designed to support responsive interaction through electronic sensing while maintaining a modern interior form factor. The system also provides haptic and visual feedback, allowing users to receive both tactile and visual responses when interacting with integrated controls. This combination is intended to support a more flexible approach to automotive human-machine interface design.

Integration Across Different Interior Surfaces

A key feature of the next-generation Smart Surface HMI system is its ability to integrate controls into various vehicle interior surfaces while retaining responsiveness comparable to physical controls. This capability gives automotive interior designers greater flexibility in determining where user controls can be positioned and how they can be incorporated into surrounding surfaces. The solid-state architecture, combined with touch and force sensing, is intended to support configurable interfaces without abandoning the responsive interaction characteristics associated with conventional controls. Antolin’s integration and industrialization expertise will support the transition of the technology toward automotive platform applications.

Combined Expertise Supports Future Automotive Platform

The collaboration assigns distinct technical responsibilities to both companies. UltraSense Systems will provide the electronics, sensing architecture, firmware, and algorithms needed for the Smart Surface HMI system, drawing on its focus on solid-state user interface technologies. Antolin will contribute integration, engineering, and industrialization capabilities needed to adapt the solution for automotive applications. The division of responsibilities brings sensing and interface technology together with vehicle interior development expertise, creating a pathway for the system to be considered for a future automotive platform.

Smart Surface HMI Targets More Flexible Vehicle Controls

The proposed system reflects a shift toward vehicle controls that can be embedded more seamlessly into interior surfaces while preserving interaction feedback. Its configurable design allows touch and force sensing to operate alongside haptic and visual feedback, creating an interface that can provide responses without depending exclusively on conventional physical controls. The ability to integrate controls across different surfaces is particularly relevant to future interior architectures where designers may seek greater flexibility in arranging driver and passenger interfaces. The initiative therefore centers on combining functional responsiveness with a thinner and more configurable HMI approach.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The collaboration could support greater adoption of solid-state HMI concepts in future vehicle interiors by combining UltraSense Systems’ sensing and interface technology with Antolin’s automotive integration and industrialization capabilities. For automakers and interior suppliers, the development is relevant because controls that can be integrated into different surfaces may provide additional design flexibility while retaining touch, force, haptic, and visual interaction. The next important step will be the continued development and automotive integration of the system for a future platform, with its practical significance depending on how effectively the technology can meet vehicle requirements for responsiveness, integration, and production readiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Antolin Smart Surface HMI system?
The Antolin Smart Surface HMI system is a next-generation solid-state vehicle interface designed to combine touch and force sensing with haptic and visual feedback. Developed through a collaboration between Antolin and UltraSense Systems, the system is intended to provide a thin, configurable alternative to conventional vehicle controls while maintaining comparable responsiveness. UltraSense Systems is responsible for advanced electronics, sensing architecture, firmware, and algorithms, while Antolin contributes integration, engineering, and industrialization expertise. The technology is being developed for potential use on a future automotive platform and can integrate controls into various interior surfaces.