Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for designing geometric shapes for automobiles or any other manufactured objects. The method of a vehicle design system is for analyzing constraints on parameters of a vehicle model, the vehicle design system including a catalog of exemplars from which a user may select exemplar input and at least one engineering criteria having a plurality of criteria values from which a user may select criteria values. The method includes providing a morphable vehicle model generated from exemplar input, selecting a first criteria, evaluating the morphable model with respect to the first criteria to determine the value, selecting a new target criteria value from the plurality of criteria values, and updating the morphable model shape to achieve this value.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for preparing geometric models for use in a design tool are disclosed. The method comprises generating a first base shape model, separating the first base model into components, and characterizing the components. Further, the method provides for comparing the second base model, similarly prepared and characterized, to the first, and adjusting the features used to characterize the base model components until the two objects can be placed in correspondence. The system comprises a processor capable of processing instructions for generating base shape models wherein the processor is capable of processing instructions for separating a base model into components and further capable of processing instructions for characterizing base model components. Accordingly, the method may provide for defining a geometric model template by adjusting a base model to match a succession of input models.

Abstract: A human vehicle interface for vehicle secondary controls includes a housing, an actuator grounded to the housing and having at least one degree of freedom, a follower coupled to the actuator and having a degree of freedom in the z direction, and a reaction plate having a first spatial relationship with the follower and defining a position path for the follower, wherein the actuator is responsive to the reaction plate at the first spatial relationship. The actuator includes a body and a control knob.

Abstract: A human vehicle interface for vehicle secondary controls includes a housing, an actuator grounded to the housing and having at least one degree of freedom, a follower coupled to the actuator and having a degree of freedom in the z direction, and a reaction plate having a first spatial relationship with the follower and defining a position path for the follower, wherein the actuator is responsive to the reaction plate at the first spatial relationship. The actuator includes a body and a control knob.