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

aesthetics and psychology to the problem, as well as modern HMI design software, are therefore essential. Adaptive interfaces “A good UI needs to give the driver every necessary piece of information, but nothing that is not needed at that moment,” says the founder and CEO of a software company that offers an HMI development platform for the automotive and other industries. “In modern cars, especially as they become more autonomous, the UI needs to adapt to the situation: in a very crowded city it is important to be informed about a car overtaking, or a cyclist or pedestrian in your blind spot, for example. Indicators in the UI that draw your attention to such information make sense. On other occasions the screen might be blank: if you are on a dark highway you just need to know your speed and you don’t need additional light that could distract you.” From an aesthetic point of view, the HMI development software provider likes the design of the UI in the Porsche Taycan, and also praises that in the Tesla Model X. “The one in the Tesla is straightforward, easy to understand and extremely accessible, and you don’t get confused by the number of submenus or irritated trying to find out where you are,” he says. “In some, when you find a menu you always have to remember how you got there and how to alter the settings. It was a very smart and very ‘reduced’ approach that Tesla took, and even though not much has changed in the past 10 years, I think it is still very up-to-date.” Range management The principal HMI expert at a major automotive technology provider notes that, regardless of how a vehicle is powered, the UI must not overload the driver, while acknowledging the particular needs of EV users. He says the most important technologies in an interface designed for an EV are those centred on range management, emphasising that any EVs should have an intelligent route planner. “Range management is an important factor from the end-user’s perspective, and it must work without much effort on the user’s part,” he notes. “That means the system independently determines the recharging strategy and supports the user with seamless route planning, including reliable navigation to charging points, and provides additional information, for example the range and the battery status display, in percent. “In addition, the HMI should implement strategies for introducing first-time users to the specific features of EVs, for example when they pick up a rental car.” The HMI should walk the new user through every EV operational Virtual reality capabilities, projected displays and 3D displays are also actively being developed and launched in luxury models.” Furthermore, automotive engineers have never had so many options for presenting information to drivers and enabling them to give commands to a vehicle through a UI via physical, visual, acoustic and haptic channels, and even through combinations of these that are mutually supporting and provide redundancy. A well-designed UI should give the driver all the information they need in a clear and timely manner, and enable them to select any function they want on the move and give them feedback that the right function has been selected without degrading their situational awareness. Even with many years of experience with vehicle instrumentation, in-car entertainment systems and smart devices, however, getting that right remains a tall order; getting things wrong is easy, potentially leading to information overload, frustration and dangerous distraction. Deft application of disciplines such as ergonomics, The Porsche Taycan’s cockpit showing driver instrumentation in track mode with g-meter, speedometer and (partly obscured by the steering wheel) the battery condition gauge (Courtesy of Porsche) EV dash as smart device screen with full GUI concept, showing driving data, navigation, communication and infotainment displays (Courtesy of Visteon) Autumn 2022 | E-Mobility Engineering 65 Focus | User interfaces