Volkswagen has shared a video where it demonstrates the functioning of its new, ‘smart’ air vents equipped with servos. The pre-production ID.7 sedan was the first to get them installed.
The car can apply individualized HVAC settings and turn on the ventilation before you start the electric motors – in fact, it does it as soon as it detects an owner’s key fob within range. Once on, the system will begin waving the air-deflecting louvers in all directions, trying to spread the air as uniformly as possible throughout the interior.
When in Automatic mode, the climate control system will also account for the position of the sun in the sky and the sunlight angle. In hot clear weather, the air stream will be primarily targeting the hottest areas of the car to cool down the entire cabin.
Users can also give indirect commands to the system. You could say, “My hands are cold,” and the electronics will direct the air to the steering wheel or turn on the heating on the wheel. Manual controls are still available at the top of the touchscreen panel. You can also set custom temperatures using sliders at the bottom.