Abstract
For ergonomic optimization of components like seats or steering wheel, pressure distribution measurements are necessary in the automotive field. Nowadays, traditional sensors present many drawbacks as response variation in time, low sensitivity and/or high level of intrusivity. Moreover the impossibility of carrying out a dynamic analysis in the area of interest limits their use. In order to overcome this problems, a new type of matrix is now available and it has been tested in the automotive field. The matrix is based on a series of condensers which vary the capacity depending on the pressure applied on their surface. The high sensitivity and the possibility of monitoring pressure distribution with a frequency content up to 200 Hz make this tool particularly suitable for evaluating steering wheel goodness effectiveness in an on-road test.