Kiekert Offers a Glimpse of the Future at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Kiekert, the technology leader in automotive locking systems, is offering a glimpse of the future of the electrical Latch with its door opening concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. In the new “Budii” from Rinspeed, Kiekert is showing how the E-Latch will in future enable electric door opening without the need for handles. Vehicle designers consciously exclude external door handles on their futuristic concept cars. Using the E-Latch as its basis, Kiekert is showcasing a concept that offers vehicle manufacturers wide-ranging styling and design options. The spectrum ranges from the integration of the handle within the door to dispensing with it altogether. Contact with a touch sensor on the door’s “outer skin” is all it takes for the vehicle door to open automatically.

When it comes to safety, Kiekert makes no compromises. If the customer so wishes, the modular Kiekert E-Latch can include full mechanical redundancy to guarantee complete functionality in the event of a power failure. Moreover, an integrated LED in the latch also improves road safety by being clearly visible in the dark through the door’s entire opening radius, in contrast with today’s separate door warning lights. The Kiekert door opening concept also incorporates numerous comfort and convenience functions. An actuator from the modular Kiekert drive platform automatically opens the door on request by up to ten centimeters. The pleasantly shaped grip recess rounds off the overall operating experience. Both the opening and closing of the door is accompanied by individualized acoustics. Kiekert’s in-house Acoustics Center adapts the door sound to meet specific customer requirements.

“The ‘Budii’ from Rinspeed demonstrates to us how the vision of autonomous driving can soon become reality. For a technology leader such as Kiekert, this creates a welcome platform for taking a look at outstanding access technologies. Our E-Latch opens up a whole new world of forward-looking locking system solutions for vehicle makers,” says Dr. Karl Krause, CEO of Kiekert AG.

Kiekert looks forward to seeing you on the booth it is sharing with Rinspeed at the Geneva Motor Show March 3 – 15, 2015 (hall 6, stand 6240). For a taste of the show, watch the film about the new “Budii” on the new Kiekert website at: http://www.kiekert.com/en/press/events/geneva-motorshow.