Lexus Remote Touch Controller Details
Japanese tech website TechOn has published an article about the new Remote Touch system that’s set to debut with the 2010 RX this month:
The “Remote Touch,” an HMI (human machine interface) for the car navigation system equipped in the “Lexus RX” released by Toyota Motor Corp, was developed by Denso Corp.
…the haptic technology was adopted so that the driver can feel like the pointer is gravitating toward the switch. The operating knob is equipped with two motors and an encoder, and the motors are controlled so that the operating knob will always be in a neutral position after the car navigation is started.
Toyota has not made any announcement in respect to the adoption of the Remote Touch for Toyota products other than the Lexus brand vehicles. It is expected to be more expensive than the haptic dials employed by German manufacturers including BMW AG and Daimler AG. Therefore, its adoption, if any, will probably be limited to upper grade models.
It’s interesting that the article reports the controller automatically centers itself — this would be an improvement over the Remote Touch displays shown at recent car shows, which lacked this functionality. This seems like an important feature, and we’ll have to wait until the RX debuts to get the final word.
Another point this article makes is that the Remote Touch may not appear in all Lexus models, but I highly doubt that will be the case. It stands to reason that every vehicle will have the option for the Remote Touch controller, provided the model can accommodate it.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Ah, thanks for the find! Sounds good, though I wonder why the auto show versions did not revert to neutral-or perhaps they do only after stop/startup? Good though they thought of this.
Speaking of Remote Touch, I guess only the HS gets the Remote Touch with the backlighting?
February 6th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Perhaps the controller only sets to neutral when the actual navigation portion of the system is engaged? That’s how I understand this article.
February 6th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I work for a Lexus dealership in Texas. We have has a 2010 RX350 on the ground for two weeks or more (for the local autoshow). I can say that the new navigation system is much easier to use than the current version and it not at all similar to iDrive or the like. We are not selling the 2010 yet…this one is just sitting there.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:11 am
For curiosity’s sake, does the controller center itself to a neutral position at any point?
February 6th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
i think the article means when the car is started, then the pad reverts to neutral. it doesnt do so by itself in the middle you using it.
and it is interesting that the HS gets backlightng even underneath the moving pad. i wish the RX got this too
February 6th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
We’ve got one for an auto show as well. I agree with everything Nicholas said.
I also didn’t realize when or if the controller centers itself, but its not like it gets “stuck” up against one side or the top or bottom or anything. Did that make sense?
Also, XM Nav weather is GENIUS!