HARMAN Partners with Ultrahaptics to Bring Custom Haptic Sensations to the Connected Car

New Haptic Technology Keeps Drivers Focused on the Road by
Controlling Commands with Sensations

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HARMAN
International (NYSE:HAR), the premier connected technologies company
for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, today announced the
development of a mid-air haptic feedback system, developed in
partnership with Ultrahaptics, an organization dedicated to creating a
connection between people and technology by using ultra sound to project
sensations onto a hand. The new technology allows drivers to control
infotainment and audio systems with hand gestures, enabling them to keep
their eyes on the road and lowering cognitive distraction while driving.
Reducing driver distraction is critical as distracted drivers are
responsible for accidents that daily claim more than eight lives and
cause 1,161 injuries in the United States, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.

In collaboration with Ultrahaptics, HARMAN has created a mid-air haptic
system featuring sophisticated sensations that can control multiple
in-vehicle systems, including audio infotainment functions. The system
creates haptic sensations that track the driver’s hand movements, which
then gives feedback for various gesture commands. The haptic solution
allows drivers to simply move their hands in the air and feel the
controls to adjust their embedded infotainment system.

“As cars become more connected, driver safety has never been more
important, which is why HARMAN constantly works to deliver solutions
designed to keep drivers safe on the road,” said Stefan Marti, VP,
Future Experience, HARMAN. “Our haptic feedback solution makes the
driving experience safer by enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the
road while still maintaining intuitive control of infotainment and audio
systems.”

HARMAN worked closely with Ultrahaptics to design this unique system
combining custom haptic sensations, gestural interfaces and HARMAN’s
custom visual interactive Graphic User Interface (GUI). This solution
from HARMAN and Ultrahaptics showcases a unified system with a
highly-integrated haptic and audio-visual component.

“Partnering with HARMAN to combine expertise from both organizations has
enabled us to develop a unique solution that will improve driver
safety,” said Steve Cliffe, CEO, Ultrahaptics. “Technology and
connectivity continue to be further integrated into our lives,
particularly in the car, requiring organizations to consistently
innovate to deliver technology that will change how drivers interact
with their vehicles to keep them safer while driving.”

ABOUT HARMAN

HARMAN (harman.com)
designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers,
consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems,
audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and
connected services. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®,
Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired
by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they
perform around the world. More than 25 million automobiles on the road
today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. The
Company’s software services power billions of mobile devices and systems
that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from
work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately
30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales
of $7.2 billion during the last 12 months ended December 31, 2016. The
Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol NYSE:HAR.

HAR-C

© 2017 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights
reserved. Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson are
trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered
in the United States and/or other countries. AKG is a trademark of AKG
Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries.
Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without
notice.

Contacts

HARMAN
Darrin Shewchuk, +1 203-328-3500
Senior Director,
Corporate Communications
darrin.shewchuk@harman.com