The Problem

Screens and technology are changing how we interact with things at an extreme pace. Technology is advancing more rapidly than we can integrate it into the design of our vehicles. Dashboard technology will become more important to consumers in the next 3-5 years. 

All makers implement digital screens of some sort, with the luxury sector leading the development of device integration and technological advancements.

Control panels currently offer a variety of screens, buttons, knobs, touch-pads, and other features, but as these evolve model to model, year after year, intuitive solutions are still lacking. 

Users & Learnability

Luxury auto drivers make up two user groups: those who adopt new technological advancements, and those who don’t. Some drivers connect their mobile devices immediately, and some just turn on the radio every once in a while. Age is not the determining factor here… learnability is.

The Approach

How do driver’s needs convert into quality product design? The goal is to create a smart, intuitive system that minimizes driver distraction and is easily learned. 

This design approach aims to minimize confusion and distractions by displaying only what’s important to the driver at the time on a simple interface. It has a main screen, climate controls, and driver settings and notifications.

The interface combines touchscreens, knobs, raised guides, and visual indicators, that provide the driver decision-making feedback, since haptics improve the precision of interactions.

 PrototypeS

The main screen displays primary apps. When swiping screen to screen, or app to app, the layout is consistent. The raised guides on the main screen indicate primary buttons. Digital buttons, without guides, are used to make secondary choices, and vary as needed. 

The climate panel has three hardware controls with digital readouts in the center to indicate status. The first screen on the climate panel allows the driver to adjust primary settings. With a swipe, secondary settings, such as seat heating and defrost can be adjusted with the same controls. 

Another kind of knob is used in this system on the settings and notifications panel. The raised digital readout in the center, again, indicates system status. This control panel allows the driver to customize settings.