Mercedes-Benz presents enormous dash-dominating screen at CES 2021
The Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen spans the entire length of the vehicle and will soon be used in the EQS sedan
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its MBUX Hyperscreen – a large curved screen that runs across the entire width of the vehicle in front of the driver and passenger. It will feature in the new EQS sedan, which the company says will be launched “very soon”.
The idea behind the design of the screen is to combine digital and analogue components into a single surface, giving the interior a distinct minimalist feel. The driver instrument cluster, the large centre screen, and a separate screen for the front passenger are all embedded in the unit, as are the air vents. When there is no front passenger, the screen area projects digital decoration like animated stars.
The unit is curved three-dimensionally in the moulding process to avoid distortion. It is fitted with 12 actuators beneath the touchscreen to enable haptic feedback. The visible part is painted in an elaborate three-layer process in “Silver Shadow” with ultra-thin intermediate layers and an ambient lighting layer underneath to make the unit appear to float on the instrument panel. Two coatings of the cover plate reduce reflections and make cleaning easier, while the curved glass itself is fused with scratch-resistant aluminium silicate.
Mercedes is also eager to point out that all the “important” functions are accessible without going through a menu. However, the functions that a carmaker deem “important” may be less so for individuals. That said, the company says the unit uses AI to ensure personalisation and general ease-of-use.
The battle to integrate the largest screen inside a vehicle continues. It has been a consistent trend for year, and if this latest effort from Mercedes is anything to go by, it shows no sign of subsiding. Bigger does not always mean better, though, and several vehicle interiors are managing to obtain the popular minimalist aesthetic without the use of giant screens. Mercedes’ effort marks another substantial contribution to the current dialogue surrounding the integration of technology into car interiors.
CES 2021 is being held digitally owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Car Design News will bring you all the relevant information from the livestream sessions.