Latest developments in HMI design including car sharing and the impact of the new NHTSA guideline

In-car connectivity features have grown in number and complexity in the last five years. So much so, consumers have come to expect this level of connectivity in the vehicle.

This poses both challenges and lucrative opportunities for automakers and telematics companies. The opportunity is clear. Automakers can differentiate their vehicles and achieve customer satisfaction by creating User Interfaces (UIs) that provide entertainment whilst enhancing safety.

Driver distraction ranks as the top challenge. In USA in 2009 there were 450 000 injuries linked to driver distraction making car manufacturers a likely target for litigation. Additionally, government agencies such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the US threaten to tighten legislation in a move that would increase the regulatory burden on the national industry.

Introducing more content in the car has increased the complexity of UIs, forcing both OEMs and suppliers to think carefully about their development process. It is difficult to create UIs that are easy to use, not distracting and packed with all the features consumers demand.

The main task at the moment is to mitigate driver distraction and deliver the advanced UI connectivity features expected by customers.

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