In-vehicle operating device and method of controlling same

Abstract

An in-vehicle operating device is provided. The in-vehicle operating device includes a panel constituting a vehicle interior component and having an opening, an operation module provided to be movable in a backward-forward direction through the opening between a first position and a second position spaced apart from each other, with a button operated by a user being disposed on a front end thereof, an actuator including a plurality of shape-memory members contracting by applying current when heated and restored to an original state thereof when cooled, the plurality of shape-memory members including at least one first shape-memory member configured to move the operation module to the first position using a force generated during contraction and at least one second shape-memory member configured to move the operation module to the second position using a force generated during contraction, and a controller configured to supply current to the actuator while maintaining a voltage provided from a vehicle battery within a preset voltage range, and control an amount of current for each of the plurality of shape-memory members included in the actuator according to a condition for operating each of the plurality of shape-memory members.