E-Mobility Engineering 016 l Aurora Powertrains eSled dossier l In Conversation: Thomas de Lange l Automated manufacturing focus l Torque sensing insight l Battery Show Europe 2022 report l Sodium batteries insight l User interfaces focus

Peter Donaldson explains the essential characteristics for an EV’s user interface to be accessible, e ective and intuitive Displayon demand W hile governments’ plans to phase out IC-engined vehicles on short timelines is pushing individuals and companies towards EVs, they remain a small proportion of vehicles on the road globally. Most drivers will be new to EVs and will rely on the vehicles’ user interface (UI) to help them drive safely and efficiently. At the same time, the UI also provides vehicle OEMs with a powerful means of establishing and maintaining brand identity, while challenging engineers to balance that against more technical and pragmatic requirements. Further, as cars become increasingly computing-intensive, the interactions their drivers and passengers have with them are inevitably brokered through software. While that applies to most vehicles, the rise of EVs has coincided with the central role played by smartphones, tablets and PCs in most areas of modern life, so it is natural that these technologies should influence how users interact with EVs. “The automotive cockpit is increasingly being asked to deliver greater comfort, real-time communication, flawless connectivity, enhanced safety, ease of navigation and infotainment,” says an expert from an automotive user experience (UX) software provider. “Drivers and passengers alike are looking for on-demand functionality, via apps, that is immediately accessible from any seat in the car through intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. In short, the cockpit is being transformed to have the look and feel – as well as the advanced features – of a smart device.” More and bigger displays The UX software expert notes that the increase in the size and number of displays is a major trend in EVs and vehicles in general, with the latest cockpits including more surface area dedicated to displays and controls than ever. Dashboard displays in particular are getting much larger, he adds, with some as long as 56 in and housing multiple display components under a single sheet of rare earth aluminium oxide glass, for example. “Their beautiful appearance, subtle curves and sleek lines contribute to the car’s interior aesthetics, and they can be an important differentiating characteristic as consumers compare car models,” the expert says. “Because plastic is perceived by consumers as lower-end, these displays are made of high-quality glass, with no seams and small, dark edges. 64 Autumn 2022 | E-Mobility Engineering