Solving top four car user interface problems with good design
Auto HMI is bridging the digital divide between people and cars
Bad learnability
Learnability is a major factor that influences user experience. Generally, the more features the system offers, the more time it takes for the new users to learn how to use it. With more and more car features added, modern human-machine interfaces are growing in complexity.
Users rarely read product manuals and instructions; they learn things by doing. Some users tend to learn how to use the system on the go (while driving)—no need to say that severe increases the risk of car accidents.
A good user interface is invisible. It gives users the information and features they need when they need them. Designers need to craft HMI in a way that minimizes complexity and prevents cognitive overload.
Product design processes should always start with learning user needs and understanding the use context. The goal is to define critical scenarios of interaction. Once you do that, you can go to the drawing board and prioritize features.
In the context of a car user interface, it’s vital to:
Distraction while driving
The nature of driving a car has not changed much since the beginning of the automotive revolution (early 20 century). What has been changing drastically is the integration of electronics in modern vehicles. Large displays of modern car user interfaces demand a lot of driver’s attention and can have a negative impact on safety.
Since touch-based displays don’t have physical buttons, users cannot rely onmuscle memoryto change settings and don’t receive direct mechanical feedback that helps them understand the result of the operation.
The USA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guideline states that drivers’ eyes should be looking at the road ahead. But when drivers have to glance at large displays while driving, this might lead to car accidents.
The HMI should be designed so that the driver’s attention to the system displays should remain compatible with the attentional demand of the driving situation.
First, the system should not force users to keep a lot of information in working memory. Users cannot keep a lot of information in short-term memory so that the system should answer the key questions that users might have on the home screen (i.e., What is the current speed? How many miles can I go on this tank? What is the temperature in the cabin?).
Manufacturers should provide this information either in the instrument cluster or inthe head-up display. The latter is preferable because drivers don’t have to look away from their viewpoint.
Second, the system should give users freedom of choice when in selecting an interaction method. The system should support voice and gesture controls to enable the user to say or show what they need, and the system can respond with appropriate solutions.
For example, instead of interacting with the touchscreen to find a restaurant located nearby, the driver should be able to say “I’m hungry,” and a car responds with the most appropriate options. Next, the user can use gestures to select a particular option and set it as a destination.
Old Infiniti Q45 ad that demonstrates the power of voice-based communication while driving.
Last but not least, the system should overwhelm users with too many notifications. Best practice includes postponing the sending of non-critical visual alerts (alerts that don’t have an impact on user safety) till the moment the user stops the vehicle.
One fits all solution
Modern HMI systems are truly powerful—they offer users a lot of options that users can customize for their needs. At the same time, most options remain in their default settings simply becausemost users don’t change default settingseven when the system allows that. As a result, even cutting-edge technology won’t be used to its best advantage.
It’s much better to introduce mechanics that learn about user preferences and suggest changes proactively. The car system should learn and adapt to user needs on the fly. For example, when a car learns that the user is following the same route to work every day and experiences problems with parking, it can find a free parking space automatically and suggest a better time for travel.
The learning process should be fast enough to satisfy the needs of the new generation of users—people who don’t own but rent a car for long or short periods (car sharing).
Emotionless experience
HMI is an integral part of automobiles, and, as was mentioned above, users typically evaluate car experience based on their experience with HMI. Yet, the visual design of HMIs often does not spark any emotions.
Most car manufacturers follow the same approach—they put neon red or blue text on dark backgrounds along with metallic textures. This pseudo-sci-fi aesthetics creates a cold and uninviting feeling right from the beginning.
Ultimately, the goal of visual designers is not (only) to wow the first-time users but to create a visual language that will resonate with users and spark positive emotional responses from them. By improving the system’s visual aspect, we improve how the system is perceived. The attractive design has a better chance of creating a positive first impression and staying in a user’s memory.
Interacting with a voice-based AI assistant. Image byGleb Kuznetsov
To achieve this goal, you need to:
Written by Gleb Kuznetsov and Nick Babich
Story byGleb Kuznetsov
Gleb Kuznetsov is more than a designer—it takes an artist to make human and product interactions awe-inspiring. With over fifteen years expe(show all)Gleb Kuznetsov is more than a designer—it takes an artist to make human and product interactions awe-inspiring. With over fifteen years experience, Gleb has elevated product design to an art, earning a stunning roster of world-class clients and one of the largest followings in the global design community. His signature style, inspired by the beauty of the natural world, is known for being exquisitely detailed and fluid, immersive, and full of life. Gleb brings us the future in a way that users can feel connected to.
Since starting to code at the age of eleven, Gleb has aimed to create what doesn’t exist—to make the future a reality. His passion for creating is matched only by his endless desire to learn. No industry or category is out of bounds. No platform is off-limits. His work spans physical and digital product, mobile, web, augmented reality, and installations, as well as TV, home automation, and transportation ecosystems. From prototyping to CGI, Gleb brings an unmatched range of skill and artistry to each new project.
His client list includes Airbus, SFMotors, Huawei, Apple, LG, Twitter, Mitsubishi, Daimler and many more. And Gleb’s work has been honored with numerous awards—including CES Innovation Awards for the last four years in a row.
Gleb is the founder of Milkinside—the Mobile UX 2018 Boutique Agency of the Year.
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