Continental premieres the Emotional Cockpit at 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas - a display concept combining the latest display technology with unique design elements from Swarovski.

The Emotional Cockpit features a luxurious ambiance because of the two displays being framed in Swarovski crystals, which are organically integrated into the dashboard, lending the entire unit a seamless appearance. The control element rises from the center of the dashboard, floats freely in space and acts as the central input unit for the driver and front passenger. 

In addition, the cockpit features the unique “Aurora Borealis” coating to create a distinctive emotive character. Here, light reflections add a further emotional component with a subtle shimmer reminiscent of the aurora borealis or northern lights, creating an atmospheric ambiance immediately upon entering the vehicle interior. 

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This year’s CDN People Awards brought 2024 to a glittering climax. At a gala dinner on 5 December at the Londoner Hotel in London’s Leicester Square, the top names in the automotive industry chose their winners from 18 categories.

It was Swarovski Mobility’s great pleasure to sponsor Lighting and savor the tricky task of choosing a winner from a shortlist of five impressive contenders. In the end, it was a delighted Zeekr Design Technology & Innovation Team that lifted the trophy.

The CDN awards are unusual because the focus is not on extraordinary cars and the design tech behind them, but on the people whose talent and brainpower make them possible in the first place. So, hearty congratulations to the talent, creativity and endless curiosity of the people at Zeekr Design Technology & Innovation Team, who prevailed in the face of stiff competition!

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Swarovski Mobility is introducing its latest groundbreaking design demonstrator, the Crystal AIR-VENT. Resembling a futuristic dashboard, our modular demonstration model features integrated air flow and air conditioning, plus high-end intelligent lighting, all steered through the fascinating use of crystal. This reveals the impressive extent to which car interiors can be aesthetically and functionally programmed.

The magic starts with the welcome light and continues with adaptable ambient lighting, with crystals creating an amazing light pattern across the interior surfaces. Crystal controls conceal symbols with a Shy-Tech coating that come to life only when required – they even have an easy-to-clean coating. With a high-precision touch function providing haptic feedback, the driver can simply select a mode by tapping the corresponding crystal, then any further fine adjustments can be made using the slider crystal. The functional design concept includes a continuous light channel that controls an in-car climate zone operated using a slider; it changes to red as the cabin warms up and blue as it cools down.

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The AIR-VENT perfectly demonstrates just how far functional luxury has come. Its world premiere will be at Car Design Night in Milan on April 16, 2024, under the theme: ‘Rethinking Luxury in Automotive Design’.

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An innovation partnership between Swarovski Mobility and Continental has produced the world’s first-ever Crystal Center Display for high-end vehicles. Unveiled at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, it consists of a meticulously cut, 10” crystal body with distinctive faceting created via our unique grinding technique. Within the crystal is an image-generating microLED panel that displays information on the car’s driver-assistance systems at optimal brightness; the data seems to float within the crystal, allowing the driver to see through to the center console behind. Highly personalized, luxurious, with a sleekly minimalist aesthetic, this is human-machine interface at its best.

Something magical happened when Swarovski Mobility partnered with interactive mechatronics expert, Marquardt, to produce the Crystal Display Switch. It consists of tiny Swarovski crystal screens on the inside left and right of the steering wheel, coated to prevent optical interference that might distract the driver. When activated, displays light up to reveal vehicle information, menu navigation, and a range of functions. Smart programming means the driver can select information by thumb- scrolling using a roller next to each screen. It's a neat way to tidy up the buttons and switches traditionally associated with a car’s ancillary controls, and a perfect combination of advanced technology and classic elegance.

Our collaboration with Kurz has just taken another step toward reshaping the future of driving: the new state-of-the-art steering wheel concept. Intricately hand-cut, three-dimensional Swarovski crystals on each side of the central steering-wheel display contain touch-operated sensors that enable the driver to control a range of vehicle functions. Despite the sophisticated technology hidden within them, the crystals are smooth and transparent, anti-reflective and robust, with backlighting that can be color-matched to suit the vehicle interior. As sleek and beautiful as they are intuitive and practical, this is luxury design with cutting-edge functionality.

KURZAutomotive: Auto Interieur - Autoinnenräume designen | KURZ Automotive(kurz-automotive.com)

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As vehicle interiors become increasingly central to brand identity and user experience, innovation is turning toward design elements that offer both aesthetic appeal and high-performance functionality. Swarovski Mobility, in partnership with surface technology leader Kurz, presents a compelling vision of what is next in cockpit interaction: the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) panel that merges advanced functionality with refined luxury.

This HMI solution reflects a broader shift toward shy-tech—technology that remains discreetly embedded within the design, only revealing its capabilities when needed. At the heart of this panel are touch-operated crystals enhanced with integrated smart sensor technology. These seamless surfaces respond intuitively to user interaction, transforming standard cockpit components into dynamic design elements.

Designed with precision and engineered for seamless integration, the panel supports three customizable lighting designs. Whether enhancing the mood with ambient tones or highlighting key interaction zones, the lighting adapts to the user’s preferences, elevating both aesthetic ambiance and functional clarity. This flexibility enables a signature experience within the cabin—one that can be tailored to match different vehicle models or design themes.

The use of Swarovski crystals is not just about visual elegance; it also serves a technical purpose. Their tactile feel and optical depth invite interaction, guiding users naturally to touchpoints without the need for visible buttons or mechanical switches. Combined with Kurz's expertise in high-quality surface structuring and decoration, the result is a component that delivers both intuitive usability and striking design.

This innovation speaks to current trends in automotive design, where minimalism meets smart functionality. It aligns with evolving consumer expectations for digital, yet emotionally engaging, in-cabin experiences. With the growing focus on electric and autonomous vehicles, the cockpit becomes a central space for brand differentiation—offering new opportunities to rethink user interaction, lighting, and surface materials.

Moreover, this solution supports scalable manufacturing processes and is designed to meet automotive-grade performance standards. It proves that premium design does not need to compromise on durability or production efficiency, making it a viable choice for both concept development and series production.

By integrating high-touch materials with hidden, intelligent technologies, the HMI panel by Swarovski Mobility and Kurz demonstrates how luxury, innovation, and functionality can coexist. It is not just an evolution in design—it is a statement about where the future of mobility is heading: toward interiors that connect emotionally and technologically, with surfaces that come alive at the user’s touch.