On October 17 of this year, Tata Motors unveiled the refreshed versions of its premium SUVs, the Harrier and Safari. Notable among the features of these SUVs is an immersive driving experience enhanced by a sophisticated, feature-rich interior. It can now be disclosed that the premium materials and finishes within these vehicles are showcased by an elegant Touch Control Panel, situated beneath the air vents, developed by Antolin, a global provider of car interior solutions.
Like many global suppliers, India, with its rapidly growing auto sales, is a crucial market for the Antolin Group. The group is solidifying its position as a leading provider of automotive interior technology solutions. Tata Motors is one of the numerous OEMs that Antolin serves in India.
“Tata stands out as a successful player in the competitive and demanding Indian market, and we take pride in being a reliable supporter in their growth plans in the SUV segment. At Antolin, we’ve demonstrated agility in aligning with Tata’s rapid vehicle development plans, providing innovative solutions to enhance the interior deco-lighting style. With the recent launch of the new Safari/Harrier in the market, we’ve been pleased to observe a remarkably positive response from both the media and the public,” said Alfonso Martinez-Matos, India Managing Director at Antolin.
Antolin’s Touch Control Panel in the new Tata Harrier and Safari is designed to maximize the end-user interface and customization possibilities.
Touch Control Panel: A Personal Command Center
The Touch Control Panel acts as an extended surface for operating the FATC-HVAC system and various other functions within the vehicles. This panel incorporates several Human-Machine Interface (HMI) features, including capacitive touch functions for the FATC-HVAC, a sleek piano black deco trim spanning the entire instrument panel, direct ambient light (RGB), and advanced electronics.
Functioning as a personal command center, the Touch Control Panel on the instrument panel enhances both the quality of the vehicle and user accessibility. It is designed to maximize the end-user interface and customization possibilities, allowing the driver to focus on the essence of driving.
Positioned at the heart of the instrument panel, the Touch Control Panel orchestrates various functions through a hybrid system involving sliders, capacitive switches, and toggles. It regulates dual-zone temperature, warning systems, tailgate opening, anti-fog lights, 360-degree surround-view camera, front and rear defrost, and more.
Walter Pack, a key collaborator in this project, contributed to the distinctive decorative surface using IMF technology. When non-backlit, the icons remain discreet, presenting a monochromatic and streamlined aesthetic.
A Global Team Effort
This innovative product is the result of collaborative efforts from a global team spanning India, Germany, Spain, China, France, the UK, and North America.
“This innovative approach aims to highlight the revamped interior design, and the result is a unique product that stands out. The collaborative effort involved our engineering team in Pune, supported by Technical Offices in Germany, France, Spain, and China. Together with our partners at Tata Motors, we faced the challenge of integrating capacitive touch detection, in-cabin temperature sensing, ‘hidden-until-lit’ features, and RGB ambient lighting into a single, impressive 1-metre-long decorative surface,” said Demetrio Galindez, Global HMI Product Development Responsible at Antolin.
In addition to the Touch Control Panel, Antolin has developed various components for the new Tata Harrier and Safari, including multi-mood lighting with drive modes sync in the instrument panel. The company also supplies a headliner substrate featuring ambient lighting around the perimeter of the voice-assisted panoramic sunroof.
Furthermore, the vehicles are equipped with an overhead lighting console that incorporates connected safety features, such as emergency (E-Call) and breakdown call (B-Call) assistance.
Antolin’s commitment to innovation is evident, as it has already been nominated for two follow-up touch panels for upcoming Tata vehicles. These will feature the same Touch Panel technology with unique decorative elements and sizes, reinforcing our dedication to pushing boundaries in automotive design.
Antolin Group’s Strong Presence in India
Leveraging its competencies in overheads (headliners), doors and trims, cockpits, lighting, electronic systems, and lighting products, Antolin has established itself as a full-service supplier. This enables the group to cater to its customers in the complete product cycle in all the countries where it operates.
The Antolin Group has a robust global footprint, spanning 25 countries, 130 production plants and Just-in-Time centers, and 27 technical-commercial offices. In India, Antolin has operations in six locations – Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurgaon, Pune, Sanand, and Vijayawada.
On November 10, 2022, Grupo Antolin inaugurated its state-of-the-art Global Design and Business Services office in Pune, intended to support major car manufacturers worldwide in the field of automotive interiors, including product design, product simulations, product lifecycle management, project support, IT support, logistics support, and environment compliances.
Grupo Antolin, present in India for the past 20 years, operates six plants in Maharashtra (Pune), Tamil Nadu (Chennai), Karnataka (Bengaluru), Haryana (Gurgaon), Gujarat (Sanand), and Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh). It supplies car interior components to major customers such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Volkswagen India, Hyundai Motor India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Maruti Suzuki, Honda Cars India, Stellantis Group, Renault Nissan, and MG Motor India.
The company is a market leader in overhead systems and commands approximately 75% of the market share in India, with over 1,500 employees. Grupo Antolin also supports door panels, ambient lighting, hard and soft trims, and various other interior components required by car manufacturers.