In-vehicle multimedia, informational, and entertainment systems have evolved significantly in the past decade. Before the last decade, in-car entertainment was considered advanced if the car included in-dash multi-disc CD changers. However, since the introduction of the first generally available in-car navigation systems in the 1990s, manufacturers and vendors have gradually started to realize the potential in this area. Cars now come with a lot more advanced informational and entertainment systems, most with significantly sized display screens. The evolution of vehicle design in this department provides us with a glimpse of the trends to come and emphasize the importance of designing usability into in-vehicle displays and controls.

One of the first changes in car displays came with the introduction of larger screen multi-information screens. These displays initially started off monochromatic, and housed data from the on-board computer, climate control, and audio systems. The general idea was to centralize information display in a vehicle to reduce driver distraction. Thus, the screens were often mounted in a prominent location on the dashboard close to drivers’ line of vision. With time, multi-information displays grew in complexity, functionality, and display quality. BMW introduced their new iDrive system in 2001, which relied on a 10 inch color display screen housing entertainment, navigation, communications, climate, and car settings. Audi and Mercedes soon followed suit. Data types also varied, ranging from display-only text, editable fields, text fields, diagrams for navigation maps and for backup sensors, to videos for entertainment, rearview, or surround view features. The increased amount and types of information being presented meant deeper menu structures and more intricate information architecture. What started off as a consolidated display for basic vehicle information had essentially evolved into a mini on-board “Web site.”

Following the integration of larger color displays in cars and the advancement in multimedia and entertainment features, designers saw the opportunity to levitate in-car entertainment to the next level. Chrysler introduced built in hard drives that allowed owners to store and playback photos, music files, and videos. Users could even download pictures from their cameras onto the hard drive on the go. Chrysler also announced the arrival of uConnect Web, which offers Wi-Fi technology in their vehicles and allows passengers with Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices to connect to the Internet. Other manufacturers have once again followed suit in this area. Just recently, BMW and Mercedes launched in-car Internet connection and Web browsing in Europe. Owners are now able to use the in-vehicle multi-information display screen and integrated control interface to browse the Internet, email, and even purchase items or make hotel reservations from the car! While this technology has not yet launched in the US market, this heralds an entirely new generation of in-car informational and entertainment systems.

So what exactly does all this mean for the future of in-car multimedia, informational, and entertainment systems? All signs seem to point in the direction of a narrowing feature gap between in-car systems, mobile devices, and home PCs. In the very near future, expect growing availability of more advanced multimedia and navigation systems as these technologies trickle down from more expensive cars to more affordable models. Some of you may already have integrated hard drives that store photos and videos, or navigation systems that leverage real time traffic and weather information. Honda’s navigation systems in Japan also leverage up-to-date crime rate data in providing routing guidance. Farther out, expect wider spread availability of mobile Web browsing in cars. Web access could also be better integrated into the car’s systems, such as searching on Yelp for a recommended restaurant and navigating there or using the Web to diagnose an engine error code. In addition, the availability of Internet connection in vehicles sets a great foundation for the maturation of an advanced communications network between individual vehicles. A good example of where this might be beneficial is the ability for a car ahead to notify cars behind of potentially slick conditions or even an accident. A communications network like such would go great lengths in improving situational awareness for drivers.

From an interface design perspective, this advancing trend definitely opens doors for opportunities to design creative and innovative interactive experiences with car displays and controls. Think customizing Google driving routes via drag-and-drop on your car’s touch screen navigation system (which Volkswagen and Google are reportedly working on), an iPhone-esque interaction method, or a point and drag schema first seen on “Minority Report.” While all of these developments and opportunities are extremely exciting, there are also issues to factor in while dreaming up next generation car interfaces and features. On the information side, one thing to clearly be aware of is the impact of managing increased amount and types of information being displayed. Users would have to navigate through levels information to access all the different features, oftentimes while operating the vehicle. While usability will vary from system to system depending on how the physical and software interface are designed, the inherent nature of browsing through information levels means that an increased focus on usability and user interface design will be needed. Also, in addition to optimizing Web sites and applications for mobile devices, interface designers will eventually need to factor in vehicle information systems for future Web sites.

These are by no means limiting factors, but definitely remind us of the effort that needs to be spent on ensuring that the user’s needs are in mind when dreaming up gorgeous and innovative new in-car multimedia, informational, and entertainment systems. If so, we could all get our hands on and truly benefit from a lot of cool car features in the years to come.