We have become used to the way the exterior of cars has changed. Even headlights are now any shape, dictated by the whims of the stylist. But those stylists are now moving into the interiors of our cars, and not necessarily for the best, I would add.
Controls: BMW came out with their unloved iDrive which controlled everything, but was not user friendly, but the futurologists are suggesting that instead of twiddling the iDrive ball control, touching a button or dial could be history. Hyundai’s HCD-14 Genesis Concept from the 2013 Detroit motor show replaced traditional controls with a camera-base eye and motion recognition system, with turning up the volume being as simple as waving your hand.
Space: Form follows function was the catch-cry for many years now, and the interior space has been dictated by the requirements of placing an internal combustion engine, gearbox, driveshafts, etc. Electric cars like the Tesla Model S and BMW i3 do not have those constraints, and cars are heading to replace the traditional upright front engine. With placement of batteries under the floor, and electric in-wheel engines, this frees up more space in the cabin.
Instruments: The days of a speedometer and a fuel gauge on your dash are finished. Audi has a fully digital dashboard in its new TT sports car and Q7 SUV.
Connectivity: Unfortunately, the smart phone is now dominating the in-car format. Both Apple and Google are working with car makers to merge their mobile operating systems into the cockpit of cars. Volkswagen gave a glimpse of the future with the Golf R Touch concept at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show. The Golf R Touch featured not one but three large touchscreens on the dash and center console to control all key functions via a series of apps bridging the car and your smartphone.
Autonomous driving: If you think self-driving cars will never catch on, think again. We have autonomous cars already. All that is to be worked out is the legal liability when your driverless car runs into your manually driven car (and vice-versa). Mercedes-Benz examined what that future could look like with the F015 Luxury in Motion concept that featured a large cabin complete with four rotating seats that turns the car into a lounge room on wheels.
Technology: The Human Machine Interface, otherwise known as the way we, the driver, interact with the car controls has evolved significantly over the past decade. BMW started the revolution with its iDrive system and its rivals have followed suit. Audi offers its MMI Touch which can understand inputs written with your finger. Volvo’s new XC90 continues the evolution with its in-dash tablet set-up.
But is it a step forward? Or are all these developments just intermediate steps towards removing the driver from control of the machine?
