There are numerous designs of displays for automotives (such as trucks, lorries, cars, etc). Pick any three examples (from any of the automotives) and discuss if they meet all of the display design principles. It can be any display in automotives (speedometer display, gps navigation display, car media control display and etc)

Example 1: Digital Instrument Panel of Audi A8

The digital instrument panel of Audi A8 incorporates the speedometer, assistance system and head-up display (HUD). This combination of multiple displays meets the proximity compatibility principle by decreasing the information access cost.In addition, information is presented on a high-resolution 7-inch colour display in the instrument panel to make displays legible. The speedometer of the Audi A8 uses an analogue display which meets the principle of top-down processing, pictorial realism and moving part. A8 meets the principle of predictive aiding by providing assistance systems such asAdaptive cruise control, Audi active lane assist,Park assist with display of surroundings and Night vision assistant. The details on the assistance systems are available in the company’s website. The various assistance systems of Audi A8 have different features; this meets the principle of discriminability. The night vision assistant assists the driver when driving at night by displaying a thermal image of the surroundings. If the system detects a potential risk, the marking changes to red, a warning triangle appears and a warning tone is emitted. This feature fulfils the principle of multiple resources by relaying warnings visually and auditory. Furthermore, the head-up display (HUD) incorporated into the car satisfies the principle of minimizing information access cost. The HUD enables the driver to keep looking forward instead of shifting their view from the road to the speedometer.

Figure 1: Digital instrument panel and head-up display of Audi A8

Example 2: Speedometer Display of Nissan GT-R R35

The design of meter cluster display for Nissan GTR is simply fits almost all important criterions for a driver to concentrate on drive for safe journey. The speedometer gives information on km/h which suitable for Asian market and available in miles per hours for US / Euro markets. The first criterion is to make the display legible/audible where the clear enough for standard driver understand all the information and labelled text on the gauge meter cluster. The second is to avoid absolute judgment limits. Based on the observation, the Nissan GTR R35 highlighted the tachometer (RPM meter) whereas the rev limit at 7000rpm to 8000 rpm in red colour to emphasize the revolution limits for the car. Next, the top-down processing can be presented at the fuel gauges when the user experienced and know the fuel gauge indicate E for empty and F for Full. Redundancy gain a very good example at the digital display km/l deliver message how much mileage gas were used to calculate the

efficiency of the car according to the characteristic of the driving style. On the right side most meter with blue colour light indicate which Gear position to avoid any discriminable elements where confuse the driver which gear the user has shifted. In the cluster meter, on the right side show water temperature where principle of pictorial realism is applied, where the cold temperature is at the bottom and the hot temperature at the top because top to bottom is more easily understood compare with the vice-versa. The speedometer is located at the most left side to include an element in principle of the moving parts. As the speedometer increase, the car starts moving the car according to the desired speed. All the important symbol to indicates important information are show at the bottom right side of the meter cluster, all the information are placed at sufficient area to inform the car if there is any faulty error code should be aware. Also this can be included in proximity compatibility principle. It is not too close each other but enough to get attention from the driver.

Figure 2: Speedometer display of Nissan GT-R R35

Example 2: Volvo Concept Estate

In-car interface is such an important part of new car design. The interface adds value to the car whilst making it user-friendly to the driver or passenger to navigate around the gadget inside their dream car. As one of the leading car manufacturer, Volvo Car Group had introduced the new design of in car interface which they claim to simplify and enhance the way driver operates their cars.

Known as the Volvo Concept Estate - in car control system is designed around large tablet -like touch screen. As quoted by Thomas Ingenlath (2014), the new interface was designed to create a smooth, logical and safe interaction between the driver and the car. This goes beyond just putting a large tablet in the centre of the dashboard. Volvo had created a digital environment that is fully integrated in the car.

The design uses four tiles of logical stacks which include the navigation, media, telephone and the digital climate control. The design completes all the major point of important need for driver while stacking it ergonomically. Information, navigation and media are high up and easy to keep an eye on while the telephone control and the digital climate control are down below for comfortable reach and touch. In addition, the screen control was made so logical that it can be memorized by the muscle memory very quickly. Another positive note to this is the interface also includes the thumb reach control on the steering wheel and extensive voice control possibilities.

The new user interface is designed so that the tiles on the touch screen expand on interaction. When one of the tiles expands to display required information, the others are compressed, still visible and instantly accessible. Creating this crystal clear, yet calm, environment is a core part of Volvo digital craftsmanship. It is fine for an ordinary tablet to fight for driver’s full attention but a touch screen in a car is very different. Information must be clear and user-friendly, without turning up the visual volume so much that you risk losing focus on the road. This also makes it easier to make really urgent information, such as a warning, much more distinctive.

Figure 3: Volvo Car Group’s new in-car experience

References

Audi 2013, A8, Audi, viewed 19 April 2014, <http://www.audi.no/etc/medialib/ngw/no/Brosjyrer.Par.0009.File.pdf/a8_333_1330_82_18.pdf>.

Dustin Woods. 2014. Design and technology at the heart of Volvo Car Group’s new in-car experience. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.media.volvocars.com/ca/en-ca/media/pressreleases/139230/design-and-technology-at-the-heart-of-volvo-car-groups-new-in-car-experience. [Accessed 22 April 14].