SmartAccess: Inspiring the Next Generation of Door Styles

As someone with a product design background and a passion for building things from scratch, it was fascinating to be part of the intricate development of Magna’s SmartAccess complete power door system. Since we never settle for the status quo, we wanted to reimagine the next generation of door styles beyond swinging or sliding ones to achieve the goal of greater accessibility for everyone.

The first step in developing SmartAccess was understanding trends and spotting gaps in the market. Development of SmartAccess began with market research based on discussions with our customers, as well as review of competitor product-line offerings based on public information. Through all of this, it quickly became clear that these door systems do not exist today.

This Magna technology is driven by new mobility needs, including demographic trends, along with ride-share and delivery-vehicle growth. As the global population ages, for example, there is greater demand for easy entry and exit from vehicles. According to the United Nations, older persons are a growing demographic in society, accounting for more than one-fifth of the population growth in 17 countries.

During a 2019 global summit, our innovators in power doors created a massive matrix and looked at 27 different doors, searching for ways to improve them. We knew that automotive designers wanted to open up the space between the doors, giving them unlimited options for more unique door styles. Consumers dream of someday walking into a vehicle as easily as they do on a bus. Everyone wants wider and easier access to vehicles.

Our SmartAccess solution: a unique suite of power closure systems all around the vehicle that eliminates the need for B-pillars, the vertical roof support structures that are located in the middle of the passenger compartment just behind the front doors.

In addition, SmartAccess advanced technology is the total package, offering intuitive human-machine interfaces such as gesture and tactile touch for vehicle entry.

For example, the SmartAccess Power Door with Haptronik Motion Control software is the fusion of mechanical movement and intelligent electronic control, yielding an automatic power door that can be opened with the touch of a button. The software, which allows for full customization of the feel of the door, enhances customer experience by making the door open and close the same in all operating conditions, whether the car is level or parked on a steep hillside.

Reimagining traditional vehicle access comes at a time of dramatic transformation in our industry, when systems and vehicles are changing rapidly, and automakers are depending on Magna to provide complete vehicle expertise. SmartAccess is a system solution created to support new door architectures which are being directed by our customers.

Following that innovative spark at the 2019 global summit, we engaged the Power of Magna, bringing together experts in structures and body-in-white, exteriors, mechatronics, mirrors and mechatronics to make SmartAccess a reality. Support and collaboration across all the Magna groups are critical components of our success. It’s why our customers talk to us first.

We’re not just developers, we are influencers who drive transportation trends. Today, SmartAccess is debuting on premium sedans and coupes in China and Europe, as automakers begin to envision a world beyond conventional doors.

And we’re not stopping there. Providing multiple solutions to our customers is a hallmark of our business, so, we are taking what we’ve developed with SmartAccess and looking at different points around the vehicle from the “frunk” or trunk located in the front of the car in an electric vehicle, to large side openings for delivery vehicles.

We’ve come a long way since we rolled out SmartLatch, the industry’s first electronic side-door latch in 2015. SmartAccess is yet another way we’re constantly evolving our products to outpace the competition. For someone like me, being part of the process of creating SmartAccess is really fulfilling. It gives me great pride knowing that it’s something that can only happen at a place like Magna.