During these rapidly changing times, we're experiencing both anticipation and anxiety towards the car of the future. Drivers are curious as to what they'll be driving—even whether they're going to be driving at all.
HMI is the principal point of contact between the user and the process (in this instance, their vehicle). A modern car is an intimate space. As this concept is intermingled with the great unknown, an entire population waits with bated breath to see what this new, modified beast will look like and discover how feral it will be.
“Today's automotive cockpit is fully connected, improves safety and elevates the in-vehicle experience. HMI is an integral part of the overall experience as it creates a comfortable environment for consumers. And in a time where consumers need to be careful about every surface they touch, gesture recognition technology in vehicles to prevent unnecessary contact is growing rapidly."
One must look at the bigger picture of human-to-service interactions within any industry to fully understand how its human-to-machine interactions will transform. Similarly, what is changing in the overall human-to-car relationship and how is it defining the development of today's car HMI?
The dynamic between hard and soft car interactions is constantly evolving. From using dials and buttons to control what's on the screen, to thoughtfully-engineering steering wheel controls and to using a full-fledged touch screen—what is the intuitive baseline?
