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AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Faurecia, one of the world's largest automotive suppliers, will offer hands-on, interactive workshops at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show designed to explore the challenges and opportunities that the Cockpit of the Future will present OEMs and suppliers. The exclusive, invitation-only event is aimed at continuing the dialogue between Faurecia and its customers on new ideas for semi-and fully autonomous vehicle interiors. The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront hotel, across from Cobo Center, from January 9-12, 2017.

As the world's only Tier-1 supplier that offers expertise in both seating and complete interior systems, Faurecia is uniquely positioned to integrate today's technologies with emerging innovations, which will enable new use cases within autonomous vehicles. The workshop's plug-and-play methodology will allow customers greater flexibility to explore multiple layouts and challenges in real-time, creating a roadmap to the new, autonomous future.

"The automotive industry is undergoing a technological revolution in terms of connectivity and autonomous driving that will require OEMs and suppliers to work closely together," said Mark Stidham, president of Faurecia North America. "Through this unique workshop experience, Faurecia experts will walk customers through a variety of scenarios and advance our ongoing dialogue with them to help make the concepts of today a reality that can be applied to vehicles consumers will see on the road in the near-term."

Stidham added that the workshops exemplify Faurecia's commitment to developing innovations ready to meet near-term challenges and prioritize elements critical to its customers' success. To this end, Faurecia will highlight three core areas of expertise: Comfort, Perceived Quality and Smart Surfaces. Additionally, several production-ready innovations will be available in an exhibit alongside the workshops, including:

• Active Wellness™ 2.0 – Uses contactless sensors to collect and analyze biological data, and remember the driver's behaviors and preferences, allowing it to predict how the driver will be most comfortable based on physical condition, time of day, traveling conditions and whether driving in semi-autonomous or autonomous mode. More than a seat, Active Wellness 2.0 features interior sensors that track eye gaze, percentage of eye closure, blinking, head tilt, facial expression and more. The system then applies countermeasures to ease motion sickness, stress, discomfort or drowsiness, and ensures readiness to operate the vehicle's controls. Data gathered on the driver's condition is translated into a variety of personalized actions and therapies that include adjustment of the seat position, a five-program massage capability, seat ventilation, and changes in ambient lighting or the audio environment.

• Smart Pebbles – Are a series of connected and transformable technologies in a dedicated zone arranged to emulate a "living room" that will be integrated into the Cockpit of the Future. These technologies use integrated electronics, mechatronics, smart surfaces and new materials for a connected life-on-board experience, including an adaptable interior with additional retractable tablets and screens for autonomous driving mode and intuitive control of functions, such as ambient lighting, ventilation, seat massage and active screens.

• Intuition – Offers Human-Machine Interface (HMI) advancements that incorporate full black-panel screens; high-resolution active matrix organic LED (AMOLED) screens; smart functional surfaces; new types of connectivity with mobile devices; automated comfort systems; and new decoration materials. Intuition uses switchless technology that converts aluminum, wood, plastic or fabric materials into smart surfaces. Piezoelectric technology provides haptic feedback when an occupant touches these materials, so a vibration is felt, for example, when air conditioning is activated by contacting a surface area. A mobile phone can be inserted into the center console display, where it automatically charges and connects with screens that occupants can navigate by touch. Mobile devices charge wirelessly in a slide-out docking station or door panel compartment for rear-seat passengers. The center console displays can also rotate to the driver or passenger side for added convenience.

• DecoVent – Air vents are one of the few car parts that haven't changed much in 50 years. Faurecia transforms air vents by extending interior customization to this often-overlooked area. DecoVent replaces classic visible air-vent vanes with a single horizontal or vertical blade and a totally hidden mechanism. Its technical performance, both in pressure drop and directivity, are among the industry's best. The visible blade and the surrounding area can be designed in many different fashions and use genuine materials, ultimately enhancing design options for vents and increasing flexibility as designers work to differentiate vehicle interiors. With the exterior of the vent accommodating a wide variety of designs, a similar architecture can be used for the mechanical components within.

• Natural Motion™ – Presents a new, simpler, more natural way to move a seat and backrest to achieve the best body posture. With Natural Motion, seat adjustment commands are at your finger tip – no more bending forward to pull up a handle. Instead of the manual recliner lever and height adjuster, Natural Motion uses "fast switches," paddles or buttons arranged at convenient positions that quickly release seats from their tracks and allow for adjustments with easy body motions. Natural Motion rewrites the rule that a seat adjuster must be situated on the seat. The Natural Motion HMI can operate either with wired connections or wirelessly from anywhere the OEM wishes to position them – on the seat, the door, the console or the steering wheel.

About Faurecia
Faurecia is one of the world's largest automotive equipment suppliers with global leadership positions in three activities: Automotive Seating, Interior Systems and Emissions Control Technologies. Its strong technology offer provides automakers with solutions for the cockpit of the future and sustainable mobility. In 2015, the Group posted total sales of $23 billion and employed 103,000 people in 34 countries at 330 sites and 30 R&D centers. Faurecia is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris stock exchange and trades in the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) market. For more information, visit www.faurecia.com.

In North America, Faurecia had sales of $6.4 billion in 2015. It employs more than 20,000 people at 48 locations in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

SOURCE Faurecia