Various technologies, including electronic control units, sensors and increasing amount of computer code are making vehicles more complex and affecting how motorists drive them, according to a consulting and software-engineering services company.
One answer may be a vehicle’s human machine interface, or HMI. Elements of HMIs include vehicle dashboards and head-up displays plus as well as what are known as interaction modalities (touch, voice, haptic, eye movement).
“To take full advantage of new-car computerization, it is especially important for automakers to get the vehicle’s human machine interface systems right,” said Oleksandr Odukha, vice president of Delivery, Mobility at Ukrained-based Intellias, which has a U.S. headquarters in Chicago. “HMI design is a challenge because you need to create a virtual harmony between the physical elements of a car and driver gestures.”
With next-generation HMIs, automakers are seeking to reduce complexity and optimize efficiency, Intellias said.
Odukha said many automaker envision fully computerized vehicles. Examples, according to Intellias, include plans by Mercedes-Benz to offer “supercomputer-like performance” in every car with automated driving sensors and advanced navigation technology. Ultifi, a software platform developed by General Motors Co. wants to enable in-car subscription services and over-the-air software updates. “Dare Forward 2030” is a Stellantis plan calling for digitalization across its brands.
“Drivers are growing more connected to their connected vehicles,” Odukha said. “As driving becomes more autonomous, customers come to expect more lifestyle features for comfort, entertainment, commerce and business – and OEMs will address that with highly efficient HMI ecosystems.”
The company, in an article on its website, described the importance of HMI design.
“Effective HMI design helps users drive safer by progressively discovering new in-car features,” the company said in the article. “Users’ feedback must be effectively captured and communicated back to the machine, which, in turn, must adapt its performance.”
Odukha said vehicle connectivity is increasing. About 60% of U.S. car owners had a connected vehicle by 2021 and the percentage is expected to increase to 70% or more over the next several years.
“The challenge of great HMI design is to progressively introduce consumers to the value of new connected services and features until they have an aha! moment — a breakthrough realization of the beauty, efficiency, and attractiveness of the HMI solution,” Intellias said.
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