Cypress Semiconductor announced that BMW has selected its CapSense capacitive touch technology for the infotainment system in BMW 7, 6, and 5 series and in X6, 5GT and X5 and X6 models.
The control panel has a CapSense CY8C21534 chip, which is an AEC-Q100 qualified tool. AEC-Q100 standards assure that components satisfy the exact standards of Automotive Quality Systems. There are six to eight mechanical switches in the dashboard. They can be programmed to execute driver’s preferred tasks. The switch can be touched by to view the functionality and has to be depressed to activate the mechanical button. The dashboard can control three functions together, which are AM/FM radio, navigation system and wireless phone contact.
The CapSense devices come in A and E grades. They have attractive and well operational interfaces with enhanced reliability. Consistency, noise-resistance and water-protection of the device offer greater performance in adverse automotive working conditions. It has up to 25 cm detection range and activates the interface to save power. The CapSense device is suitable for interior and exterior automotive applications.
Source: http://www.cypress.com/