Siemens VDO's innovative controls.The "EasyControl" controller prototype from Siemens VDO VDO - Varus Derotation Osteotomy VDO - Vereinigte DEUTA-Ota (Villingen, Germany; gauge manufacturer founded 1929) VDO - Very Distant Object(s) VDO - Voltage Drop-Out Automotive Corp. (Auburn Hills, MI; http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com) is just that when it comes to providing input for such things as entering phone numbers or addresses into a telematics system. It places a laptop-style touchpad A stationary pointing device that provides a small, flat surface that you slide your finger over using the same movements as you would a mouse. You can tap on the pad's surface as an alternate to pressing one of the touchpad keys. See mouse, trackball and pointing stick.  Touchpads The touchpad has become especially popular on laptops, but external units for desktop computers have also been produced. on the top surface of a tactile feedback control (electronics) feedback control - A control system which monitors its effect on the system it is controlling and modifies its output accordingly. For example, a thermostat has two inputs: the desired temperature and the current temperature (the latter is the feedback). The output of the thermostat changes so as to try to equalise the two inputs. Computer disk drives use feedback control to position the read/write heads accurately on a recording track. knob similar to the one used for BMW's iDrive system. The pad allows users to quickly enter letters or numbers by simply tracing them out with a finger rather than having to select them from a list on a screen. Once a character is entered, the system reads it back to confirm the selection. Operators can also invent custom characters and use them as shortcut commands. The main advantage of EasyControl is that it keeps drivers' eyes on the road, but with voice recognition systems steadily improving it may turn out to be a clever technology in search of a purpose. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Another idea from Siemens VDO is a dual-zone HVAC system that knows whether the driver or front passenger is operating the controls. Here's how it works: whenever the driver or passenger touches the HVAC control knob to make an adjustment, the person's body makes a weak electrical connection between the metal knob and the sensor net in the seat. While the electrical current transmitted is not enough to be noticeable, it is enough to tell the system who the operator is so it can make adjustments accordingly. According to Winfried Moll, director, electronics engineering, using this method would allow automakers to get a dual-zone HVAC system for about the price of a standard single-zone since only one control unit is needed. Another benefit is that the single control reduces clutter and frees up highly coveted real estate in the middle of the instrument panel. And since it utilizes the existing seat sensor array already fitted for use with smart airbags, there is no additional cost at that end. One downside for potential customers who are women or female impersonators: it doesn't work through artificial fingernails fin·ger·nail (f  ng g r-n l.--KEW
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