With increasing urbanization, the demands for mobility solutions are also rising.

Future trends in the industry include not only connectivity, electromobility, and autonomous vehicles, but also shared mobility concepts, which impart a new importance to the vehicle’s interior. At the Future Interior Summit in Boeblingen (Stuttgart region) on November 21, 2018, Han Hendriks, CTO at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, provided valuable insight into the development of the vehicle interior of the future.

At the Future Interior Summit, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Han Hendriks spoke on the topic, “Accelerating New Automotive Interior Experiences.” A purely practical understanding of individual components and functions is insufficient for developing new interior concepts. Rather, it is essential to understand future passengers and their desires and requirements. That is why market and consumer research is also key at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors’ (YFAI) innovation centers. As CTO, Hendriks is responsible for the vision and strategic planning of YFAI’s technology and innovation work. At this event in Boeblingen, he talked about the role quality of life, the subject of a research study recently conducted by YFAI, will play in the vehicle interior in future.

In the future, the driver of a car will become the passenger and cars will largely move autonomously in city traffic, so the vehicle interior will have a new significance. For instance, drivers will no longer have to concentrate on the road and will be able to use this time for other activities in the vehicle, as it becomes a living and experiential space.

“In designing this space, which we call the ‘Next Living Space,’ we have identified the megatrend quality of life as an important factor,” said Han Hendriks. “In order to understand more precisely what this trend consists of in detail, we performed a global consumer study. Among other factors, we identified three aspects that have an impact on quality of life almost everywhere in the world: safety, physical well-being, and quality.”

Preview of the new YFAI interior concept XiM20

YFAI is using the results of this study to develop the interior of tomorrow. At the Future Interior Summit, Hendriks presented glimpse of the technology of the interior concept currently in development. It will make its world debut in early 2019.

“Our brand-new concept vehicle XiM20 shows our interior vision of a fully autonomous vehicle. The results of our study were particularly valuable for the development process. For example, through the interior, we can offer space to future passengers for various activities and experiences, which even exceed the needs that passengers are currently aware of.”

The Future Interior Summit was organized by the publisher Verlag Moderne Industrie, and provided a platform for decision-makers and developers at OEMs, suppliers, and start-ups together with industry experts to discuss new opportunities for the vehicle interior. In addition to speeches by experts, there was a vehicle interior of the future exhibit.

New concepts and forms of mobility require flexible solutions inside the vehicle.
An important role in this regard is being played by smart surfaces.

New concepts and forms of mobility require flexible solutions inside the vehicle.
An important role in this regard is being played by smart surfaces.

In the future, every surface inside the vehicle can become a smart surface. Various operating functions in the vehicle will be seamlessly and invisibly integrated into the design of the interior, and information will be able to be accessed flexibly at all times. This will be made possible by the seamless integration of HMI (human-machine interface) technologies, such as displays or capacitive switches. In the vehicle’s interior, smart surfaces particularly offer a wide latitude in design in terms of future mobility solutions. Thanks to self-driving vehicles, we’ll soon no longer have to concentrate solely on the road. That will make the vehicle interior more important as it become an expanded, mobile living room – the Next Living Space.

Nearly all surfaces inside the vehicle offer the ability to personalize functions. For center consoles, the innovative Yanfeng-KOSTAL module shows what that might look like. With a display integrated in three-dimensional curved glass and innovative switch technologies, the center console becomes a seamlessly integrated, interactive control unit. But the concept is not limited to just hard, decorative surfaces – elements made of soft laminates, such as instrument panels or the midsections of door panels, can take on an interactive function in addition to their decorative one.

With the development concept activeSkin, digital data can be displayed even on soft surfaces. Surfaces that were only a decorative function, now with a simple touch, become a functional, touch-sensitive control surface that interacts with the passenger or activates lighting effects tailored to their needs. This allows the creation of a three-dimensional effect with impressive room depth. Since functionality is visible only when needed, this makes it possible to implement new degrees of freedom in interior design.

This new technology is particularly interesting for car-sharing concepts of the future because it can be customized. As soon as a person gets into a vehicle, the digital content from apps or mobile devices could be synchronized, as could stored preferences for lighting and room ambience. This makes it possible to create an experience inside the vehicle that is tailored to the passenger. With activeSkin, YFAI is turning the interior into an extended living room – the Next Living Space.

More than 30 speakers from Europe and China discussed the challenges and opportunities of the business relationships between the two countries during this year's summit of the German-Chinese Business Association. This year, the focus was on the transnational innovation work by companies. Our expert Dr. Yanning Zhao was invited to  report on her experiences in the global development network at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors.

Dr. Yanning Zhao is Manager, Engineering Product Innovation Europe, for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) and has specialized in display and HMI technologies for future interior vehicle concepts at the Neuss location. Her expertise regarding the mutual relationships between Germany and China, as well as cultural differences  is not just due to her work at YFAI. Yanning, who was born in China, has lived, worked and done research in Germany since 2005, and can draw on her personal experiences.

During the discussion Yanning talked with representatives from Covestro and NIO, as well as Patent Attorney, Dr. Thomas Escher about the opportunities and challenges for innovations "Made in Germany" and "Created in China." Together, the speakers discussed the advancements China has made in creating innovation and the associated impact on collaboration between Germany and China.

With more than 110 locations in all regions of the world, YFAI has a global production and innovation network. At the beginning of the year, YFAI opened its latest innovation center in Neuss. In the coming years, future vehicle interiors will be developed in cooperation with the company‘s innovation centers in China and the United States. During the podium discussion, Yanning described the opportunities which this opens up for the development of new vehicle interior technologies. In light of new mobility concepts such as autonomous driving, car sharing and e-mobility, it is advantageous to be able to leverage the experience and knowledge of various cultural regions.

Every year, the German-Chinese Business Day brings together stakeholders and experts from politics, industry and the civil society to discuss topics related to mutual  business relationships. The keynote speech at this year's event was made by Wang Weidong, Envoy of the Embassy Council of the Trade and Economic Affairs Department of the Embassy of China in Germany.

Recently national and international automakers and suppliers met in Zwickau (East of Germany) at the International Annual Congress of the Automotive Industry, which the Chamber of Industry and Commerce has organized and implemented since 1997. Experts and industry representatives discussed the effects that increasing polarisation, digitisation, autonomous driving and the shortage of specialist employees will have on the industry.

Recently national and international automakers and suppliers met in Zwickau (East of Germany) at the International Annual Congress of the Automotive Industry, which the Chamber of Industry and Commerce has organized and implemented since 1997. Experts and industry representatives discussed the effects that increasing polarisation, digitisation, autonomous driving and the shortage of specialist employees will have on the industry. The theme of this year’s conference was “Growth under new factors of success.” In addition to the future, the focus of the event was on China and its changing role as a market participant.

Our Executive Director Global Change and Business Transformation Dr.-Ing. Michael Schachler talked about “structural answers to global challenges” and gave exciting insight into the changes within our company. He also presented China’s role over the last 20 years going from a low-cost mass goods producer via the world’s largest consumer goods market to becoming an innovator. How does Yanfeng Automotive Interiors respond to the megatrends in this industry? How can we better position ourselves with innovation and manufacturing skills in all regions around the world for the global challenges ahead? How do we bring the different cultures together to be successful in global competition? Our expert presented the answers to these and similar questions in his presentation.

How the automotive industry is aligned nationally and globally over the coming years, what has been achieved to date and which methods and innovations are expected in the future and are being implemented were discussed in numerous contributions by experts. During round table discussions and the subsequent networking, the conference directly addressed all of the subjects and discussed the specific influence on all of the participants.

Why should using your car’s connected features be any less advanced than using your mobile?

Most people probably can’t remember the last time they used a phone with a key pad – or any buttons at all for that matter. That’s because leading tech companies pushed the mobile phone industry to realize early on the importance of touch screens and great Human Machine Interface (HMI) design. In comparison, some of our cars look like antiques. Bulky buttons and knobs take up valuable storage space and diminish the overall aesthetic drivers and passengers should be able to enjoy.

As advancements in autonomous driving allow drivers to let go of the wheel, the overall automotive and, especially, the interior experience will have to evolve. Consumers will demand comfortable, convenient and functional interiors that make time spent in their car feel no different than time spent in the office or at home. In order to create this new living space, automakers will not only need to craft a relaxed and contemporary in-car atmosphere, but will also need to reduce redundant buttons and switches to make room for more practical and user-friendly technologies, in line with the user experiences of other tech-products, like tablets and smartphones. With smart surfaces, our interiors can become more user-friendly and functional – all while improving the overall cabin ambience.

Using our mobile devices has become second nature, so it is only natural that these experiences extend to our vehicles. Smart surfaces allow vehicle manufacturers to offer the most intuitive experience on a sleek and modern screen – without superfluous and bulky gadgets. Different HMI can be integrated based on the specific needs of the users or the purpose of the vehicle. Unused functions can be dimmed or disappear, only to be reactivated by proximity, gesture or voice control. The instrument panel itself can become a screen to watch movies, select music or adjust lighting and climate controls. And since every surface can serve a purpose, there is more space for storage, seating or other conveniences like tables, cup holders or trays.

The rise of shared mobility will only compound the significance of smart surfaces. Even when renting, sharing or hailing a ride, drivers want to have as comfortable of an experience as they would in their own car. This means that displays and HMIs must be intuitive. With smart surfaces, individual vehicles in shared mobility fleets can be completely customized with minimal effort so that each unique user can have the experience they already know and prefer, saving the time and energy usually spent adjusting settings and figuring out new controls.

As with our mobile phones, technology in the automotive industry is progressing rapidly, becoming more and more intelligent. While these new advancements have made our lives more convenient and comfortable, they are still rather divided along industry lines. With smart surfaces, automakers can bring the two together to make the in-car experience more seamless and functional than ever before. The evolution is taking place on two fronts: While vehicles slowly become another mobile device that offers users new experiences, vehicle interiors will transform into a customizable, second living space – both functional and emotional.

By Han Hendriks, CTO at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. Originally published on LinkedIn.

At the "China meets North Rhine Westphalia (NRW)" congress on 4 July 2018, the German newspaper Rheinische Post provided a platform for representatives from German and Chinese businesses, as well as political, economic and scientific experts. Together they discussed China's development and German-Chinese relations. As a global market leader for automotive interiors with corporate headquarters in Shanghai and its European headquarters in Neuss, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) is also an attractive employer in the NRW area.

This is the third time the "China meets NRW" congress has been held. Under the motto "Start it up", the Rheinische Post focused on the startup and foundation scene. Discussion topics included China's progressive development toward becoming a high-tech country, and the opportunities which this development opens up for German companies, especially startups. The development of the Silk Road and China's pioneering role in the field of e-mobility was also a subject which was discussed.

Gunnar Büchter, Director of Procurement Europe & South Africa for YFAI, took part in the podium discussion for the North Rhine Westphalian economic development agency NRW.Invest. Together with Petra Wassner, CEO of NRW.Invest and other industry representatives, he spoke about the latest trends in the field of Industry 4.0 and mechanical engineering.

"At YFAI we are involved with current Industry 4.0 topics and are already using cobots in pilot projects. Innovative ideas from the startup scene are therefore very interesting for us", emphasized Büchter.

In addition, Professor Andreas Pinkwart, Minister of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy for the state of North Rhine Westphalia as well as Feng Haiyang, the Chinese Consul General in Düsseldorf, were also invited to the congress. Consul General Feng stressed the importance of intercultural understanding as the basis for stable business relationships.

Recently, Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for YFAI, spoke at a Plug and Play Mobility Keynote in Sunnyvale, CA.

At the conference, he spoke about XiM18, YFAI’s method to develop a view on the interior of the future, YFAI’s recent research study on the Quality of Life, and explained how different ways of segmentation are important in the future, because the industry is rapidly changing.

Recently, Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for YFAI, spoke at a Plug and Play Mobility Keynote in Sunnyvale, CA.

At the conference, he spoke about XiM18, YFAI’s method to develop a view on the interior of the future, YFAI’s recent research study on the Quality of Life, and explained how different ways of segmentation are important in the future, because the industry is rapidly changing.

After introducing a video about the Quality of Life research and the XiM, he explained, “we use this to package our innovations and new technologies in a real vehicle environment. It makes a great platform to engage with our customers, our partners, as well as consumers”, and ask for feedback and input as we evolve our vision of future interiors”.

During his speech, Han also revealed insights that were learned during the Quality of Life research. “We found that today bigger is not always better, ownership is not always equated with more happiness, and more consumers find that less is more”, he said. “Especially taking advantage of having the experience instead of the ownership”.

“When our Company vision is ‘Better Life on Board’, it starts with the consumer”, said Han. “The consumer will be the ultimate judge if we’re successful in creating a better life on board”.

As a Plug and Play ecosystem member, YFAI will engage and benefit in several ways, including proof of concept tests, pilot projects and deal flow sessions with startups.

Plug and Play is the largest global innovation platform that brings together startups, investors, and corporations. They are experts in facilitating meaningful introductions, investing in startups, and bringing together key stakeholders into one world-changing network.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) received the coveted NRW.Invest Award. The award presented by the Economic Development Agency (″Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft″) of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.Invest, honors exemplary investments by international companies in NRW. Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, State Minister for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy, was also present at the formal award ceremony.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) received the coveted NRW.Invest Award. The award presented by the Economic Development Agency (″Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft″) of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.Invest, honors exemplary investments by international companies in NRW. Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, State Minister for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy, was also present at the formal award ceremony.

At the 14^th presentation of the NRW.Invest Awards, Minister Pinkwart presented the prestigious award to YFAI and three other international companies. During the event, Minister Pinkwart and Petra Wassner, CEO of NRW.Invest, particularly underscored the commitment of the award winners to securing jobs in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the company’s courage to tap into new business segments and provide significant impulses for innovation.

″We have always known North Rhine-Westphalia as a location that provides room for development and innovation and we are happy to invest here,” said Joseph Lee, Vice President and Deputy General Manager Europe & South Africa. ″At the beginning of the year, we opened our new innovation center in Neuss, where among other things, we are working on vehicle interiors of the future″, added Joseph Lee.  He accepted the award on behalf of YFAI during a formal ceremony in the Düsseldorf K21 Ständehaus.

In addition to the new innovation center, whose core focus is on industrial design, consumer and market research, ″user experience″, as well as product and process innovation, additional investments in the Neuss location were also showcased. A short video was shown during an evening presentation featuring YFAI’s European headquarters. The Neuss location has approximately 600 employees who are distributed between the main building, the airbag test center, the prototype construction department and the innovation center.

In April of this year, representatives of the Economic Development Agency and its Greater China Service Center visited YFAI’s European headquarters in Neuss. Accompanied by Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer at YFAI, their visit included a tour of the innovation center, where they obtained information about the company and the location.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the world leader in automotive interiors, has received certification as a Top Employer 2018 for its good working conditions and HR management. The independent Top Employers’ Institute based in the Netherlands reviewed the automotive supplier’s HR processes and in particular its talent strategy. The award also approved of the company’s management development.

The global automotive supplier received the desirable seal of approval for its German locations. These include the European headquarters in Neuss and the two plants at Lüneburg and Neustadt. This is not the first award in the young company’s history. In the previous two years the Top Employers’ Institute in Shanghai also gave YFAI an award as one of the best Chinese employers of the year. The company’s locations in the US and Slovakia also received awards at the same time as Germany.

“Our company was established in July 2015 and have since been working continuously to involve our employees and their ideas in order to create an ideal working environment,” said Roger Schneider, Human Resources Director Europe & South Africa for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “We are delighted to have received this award for Germany too and see it as an incentive to continue working on our reputation as an outstanding employer.” In Germany the company employs 2,400 people of approximately 9,000 in Europe.

Steffen Neefe, Country Manager DACH at the Top Employers’ Institute, declared: “Our analysis shows that Yanfeng Automotive Interiors offers good conditions for the employees and it also supports and promotes the talent at all organizational levels. Yanfeng Automotive Interiors therefore confirms its fundamental commitment to sustainable and competitive HR management.”

The key element of the Top Employers’ certification program: all participating companies go through a common analysis process and must meet high requirements in different categories. These include talent strategy, HR planning, onboarding, training and development, performance management, management development, career and succession planning, compensation and benefits as well as corporate culture. The responses and documents are finally checked by an independent organization.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) recognized the outstanding performance of its European suppliers with the European Supplier Award. A total of 15 suppliers yesterday received awards in various categories at YFAI’s European headquarters in Neuss.

YFAI awards the prize for its European suppliers in six categories to companies from the plastics, resins, chemicals, foams, trim, and metal components industries. The categories the suppliers were rated on were quality, cost, customer satisfaction, development, technology and innovation, as well as service. Depending on the total number of points achieved, the companies were presented with a “Supplier of the Year,” “Distinguished Supplier” or “Supplier Excellence” award in various categories.

“Our annual award recognizes the outstanding performance of our best partners”, said James Bos, Vice President Global Procurement for YFAI. “Our suppliers play an important role in our success. Therefore we want to recognize their performance with these awards.”

BASF from Germany, a leading supplier of primary components, systems, and specialties made from polyurethane for the global market, is delighted to have been awarded “Supplier of the Year” for the second time in succession.

The “Distinguished Supplier” Award went to five international suppliers: Beaulieu Fibres International from Belgium, SFS Group Austria GmbH from Austria, and Mürdter Metall- und Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH from Germany, as well as the two Chinese companies Everwill Industrial Ltd. and Xin Point Corporation.

Nine suppliers received the “Supplier Excellence” Award for technological innovation, service, quality, and customer satisfaction. Polyvlies Franz Beyer GmbH is a German company that is pleased with the recognition of its performance through the Technology Innovation Award. The fiber mat supplier from North Rhine-Westphalia has over 160 years of experience in the textile industry and alongside the innovation team at YFAI developed glass fibers and visible natural fibers for use in door panels. “For us this fantastic recognition of our work is also an incentive to do even better,” explained Ludger Löbbers, Managing Director at Polyvlies.

One Chinese company, Sunway Automotive Industry Co., Ltd., and three German companies received awards in the “Service” category. They include Polydesign Systems, Halung GmbH & Co. KG, and Müller-Technik GmbH. The “Supplier Excellence” Award in the “Quality” category went to Czech manufacturer Mürdter Dvořák, lisovna, spol. s r.o., while two German companies, ISO Flock GmbH and ETG Elastomer Technik Gedern GmbH, along with Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z o.o. from Poland, received the award in the “Customer Satisfaction” category.