• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

How Mobile Electronics Shape Interiors

October 14, 2012 By Nadeem Muaddi

Long gone are the days when the only mobile electronics that auto trimmers had to contend with were map lights, power seats and sunroofs. Today’s interiors are more electronic, digitized and complex than ever before – and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what’s to come.

Automotive Megatrends, a new online magazine, recently published an interesting article examining “how connectivity and infotainment is shaping the vehicle interior and the in-car experience”. The article is a must-read for automotive professionals – especially trimmers, whose craft continues to be affected by advancements in the mobile electronics industry.

Automotive Megatrends explains:

The car industry managed to maintain more or less the same user interface and interior experience for the majority of it first 100 years, with AM/FM radio being the primary connection to the outside world.

The age of vehicular connectivity really started when General Motors introduced its OnStar telematics service in the mid-nineties and soon made it available in the bulk of its product portfolio. … The in-vehicle experience has since continued to grow at a fast pace. […]

Consumers, especially the younger generation, are looking for many of their mobile device experiences inside the vehicle. […]

OEMs are responding by redefining the interior through the introduction of things such as large displays, touch controls, capacitive switches, voice recognition. […]

In principle, future consumers living in a smart and connected home will be able to manage all their home systems – appliances, security, entertainment – right from the in-vehicle interface. … The early phase of developing the optimum user interface and interior experience to support connectivity is already under way. [more]

In short, sci-fi cars – like Michael Knight’s KITT – are quickly becoming a reality. In fact, it’s likely that there have been more advancements in mobile electronics in the last 15 years than the prior 40 years combined.

Not surprisingly, these advancements have ushered in a new era of trimming. Car seats, for example, are no longer just chairs. They’re full-on experiences – equipped with heaters, coolers, heart-attack detectors, lane departure warning systems, air-bag activating monitors and much more.

Trimmers are expected to upholster with and around these systems – often times teaching themselves and learning on the spot.

To stay afloat and remain competitive, shops will need to keep pace with these advancements. Many trimmers – especially those with an affinity for the old school way of doing things – will also need to re-examine their thoughts on the nature of this craft.

Filed Under: Archive, Cabin Technology, Industry Trends & Reports Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Automotive Megatrends, Car Interior, Infotainment Systems, KITT, Knight Rider

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. EDWARD MUNDAY says

    October 14, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    RETIRED…. Looks like a Trimmer will need A ITT degree in the fture.

    • Nadeem says

      October 14, 2012 at 10:07 pm

      You aren’t kidding. The number of disciplines a trimmer needs to be proficient in to be successful keeps on growing.

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Keyston Bros
  • Hyde Leather
  • Leather Craft
  • Albright's Supply
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Douglass Interior Products

THR Favorites

How to Build a Display Motorcycle Seat

In April, I wrote an article titled "Why I … [more] about How to Build a Display Motorcycle Seat

Auto Upholstery - Sid Chavers

10 Questions for Trimmer Sid Chavers

Our quest to bring you exclusive interviews … [more] about 10 Questions for Trimmer Sid Chavers

The Hog Ring - How to Sew Aston Martin Rapide Diamonds A

How to Sew Aston Martin Rapide Diamonds

Traditional diamond pleats too easy? Try … [more] about How to Sew Aston Martin Rapide Diamonds

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - JNG Creations

Shop Profile: JNG Creations

It’s no secret that there’s a lack of … [more] about Shop Profile: JNG Creations

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Trim Den

Shop Profile: Kaze Williams of Trim Den

To run a successful auto upholstery shop, you … [more] about Shop Profile: Kaze Williams of Trim Den

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - JS Custom Upholstery

Shop Profile: JS Custom Interiors

In Just 10 years, JS Custom Interiors of Salt … [more] about Shop Profile: JS Custom Interiors

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • This Family-Run Manufacturer is Raising the Bar for Convertible Tops
  • Queens of the Stone Age to Rock SEMA Fest 2025 in Vegas
  • PETA Claims Renault Is Going Fully Leather-Free — Is It True?
  • Trimmer Richard Buczynski Dies at 87
  • Ontario Car Scene Unites to Support Beloved Upholsterer in Critical Condition

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in