Video: The Basics of Automotive UX & Why Phones Are a Part of That Future

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The Basics of Automotive UX & Why Phones Are a Part of That Future

Thursday, July 25, 2024 • Rosenfeld Community

James Rampton

Lecturer, University of Michigan

Summary

In this session with James Rampton, dive into the automotive UX industry, the types of screens that go into cars, and the impact that tech companies like Apple and Google have had on the industry with products like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Discover the role phones play in shaping the strategy for companies designing software-defined vehicles. Learn what to call that screen in front of you while you're driving and why car companies struggle to make good experiences. Plus, James speculates why Apple gave up making a car and guesses what future experiences will look like for both everyday drivers and those who can afford to have the car drive itself.

Key Insights

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The automotive industry is witnessing a rise in user experience (UX) focus due to shifts towards digital interfaces.
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Electric vehicles (EVs) are changing the architecture and design possibilities within cars.
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Car connectivity, particularly over-the-air updates, allows for extensive integration and upgrades remotely.
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User experience in cars is influenced significantly by user research and human factors engineering.
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Technology companies are impacting automotive UX by developing applications that overlay their systems onto car interfaces, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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Consumers have heightened expectations for car interfaces based on their smartphone experiences.
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Automakers are starting to design cars around software systems instead of vice versa, leading to 'software-defined vehicles.'
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Different brands approach the balance between digital and hard controls in vehicle design based on their customer demographics.
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User testing can involve simulations where drivers interact with UX designs in controlled environments to ensure safety and usability.
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Maintaining a balance between innovative digital experiences and traditional hard controls is crucial for user satisfaction.

Notable Quotes

"Automotive UX is the combination of digital experiences within the vehicle and how they integrate with user technology such as smartphones."

"I fell in love with cars when I worked on projects like the Cadillac Lyriq and the Cadillac Celestiq, which incorporate high levels of autonomy."

"The car is becoming a digital space where user experience is paramount, almost akin to using a smartphone."

"This shift isn't just about technology; it's about how we interact with these machines on a daily basis."

"When we design interfaces for vehicles, the touch targets must accommodate real-world conditions like large hands or thick gloves."

"You're seeing a merger of hardware and software like never before in the automotive industry."

"The end goal is to provide a seamless experience for users, whether connecting their car to their smartphone or updating their car's software remotely."

"We're no longer just designing for hard interfaces; digital experiences are redefining how we interact with vehicles."

"People want their cars to evolve over time with updates, just like their phones do."

"Cars are meant to be fun, and if you’re not enjoying the experience, you’re not doing it right."

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