Car Infotainment Systems
Followed Ux design framework to redesign the infotainment system of Hyundai Creta Facelift
Tools : Figma, Figjam
Duration: 3 weeks
Role: Solo Design Project
With advancements in car technology, infotainment systems are expanding with new features. Yet, a staggered trend emerges in car interface design, encompassing UI trends, touchscreen usability while driving, and hidden controls. Harmonizing these elements is vital for a safe user experience on the road.
Overview
Scope
The scope of this UX project encompasses the in-car experience for drivers, focusing on navigation systems, music and informationtainment, climate controls, and device connectivity. In other words, we will be designing the way drivers interact with all the technological aspects of a car.
Problem Statement
This UX project aims to design a car interface that minimizes driver distraction by prioritizing simple, intuitive controls for navigation, music, climate, and connectivity, promoting a safe, focused, and enjoyable driving experience.
What
The infotainment and climate control systems of the car
Who
The driver of the Car
When
While the car is being driven
Why
The current car UIs follow staggered design trends, and have a lack of industry standards
How
By applying UX principles and frameworks by placing the driver at the centre of the process, and utilizing the latest technological and design practices
Research
Ladder of Abstraction
Why
Lack of Industry Standards
Multiple philosophies of departments
Touchscreen Trends
Integration of different systems like OS, and multiple corporate levels
What
Content Saturation
Inadequate Action Feedback
Multiple Input Modes
Complex Taskflows act as distraction
How
Personalization of experience through customizable screens and profiles
Delegate actions to physical controls, as they provide tactile feedback.
Shortcut Keys can help shorten clickstreams to perform essential actions
Independence of climate controls from Infotainment System
Secondary Research
Cars contain a sophisticated and complex interior system, comprising of the instrument clusters, gauge panel, mirror controls, climate control and the infotainment system. Understanding this domain, the overlapping of their functions, industry standards and trends require a deep dive into the car industry, and the automotive community.
Primary Research
Cars contain a sophisticated and complex interior system, comprising of the instrument clusters, gauge panel, mirror controls, climate control and the infotainment system. Understanding this domain, the overlapping of their functions, industry standards and trends require a deep dive into the car industry, and the automotive community.
Pain Points
Reliability and longevity of analog controls versus touchscreens.
Concerns about the potential cost of repairs for touchscreens compared to physical controls.
Difficulty in operating touchscreens quickly and efficiently, even when parked.
Frustration with the increasing complexity of car controls due to the addition of media features.
Perceived planned obsolescence with touchscreen technology, leading to concerns about durability.
Preference for physical controls due to tactile feedback and ease of use without looking.
Criticism of touchscreens for distracting from the road and lacking proper physical feedback.
Desire for customizable and intuitive infotainment systems.
Complaints about the uniformity and lack of uniqueness in touchscreen designs.
Critique of touchscreen latency and the need for improvement.
Preference for Android Auto integration for comprehensive infotainment functionality.
Cannot cool the car while the display is switching on, as the climate controls are in the display
Gain Points
Controls on Steering Wheels help in controlling music and other systems without taking eyes off the road, or hands off the wheel.
Dials and knobs help giving tactile feedback to touch, eliminating need to take eyes off the road.
Climate control system independent from infotainment system.
Clear adaptability with Android Auto and CarPlay is what users prefer.
Ananya
24, Student
Needs
Voice Control for Maps, Calls, and music
Does not mind using touchscreen while driving
Intuitive controls to control playback
Wireless connection for CarPlay or Android Auto
Wants more personalized features
Likes listening to music while driving to and from work.
Wants quick connection of phone to the car system
Wants CarPlay feature.
Steering wheel controls
Wants to see calls and messages
Pain Points
Difficulty operating touchscreen controls while driving.
Frustration with the lack of customization options and intuitive design in current infotainment systems.
Device Connectivity Issues.
Cannot see full name of artists and songs playing on screen.
Sometimes get sleepy on long drives back.
Preference for Android Auto integration for comprehensive infotainment functionality.
Using the touchscreen for control diverts the attention of driver.
User Quote
“I have an old car and it’s lived for like 20 years now since I bought it new. None of those Controls have broken and I can change anything from the AC to the radio without glancing off the road.”
Ayush
54, Doctor
Analogue controls for music, volume
Access to am and fm channels
Easy to understand media player
Needs
Reliability and longevity of analog controls versus touchscreens.
Concerns about the potential cost of repairs for touchscreens compared to physical controls.
Frustration with the increasing complexity of car controls due to the addition of media features.
Adjusting the vehicle components to their preferences
Pain Points
User Quote
“I have an old car and it’s lived for like 20 years now since I bought it new. None of those Controls have broken and I can change anything from the AC to the radio without glancing off the road.”
User Flows
Wireframe and Iterations
