Instrument Cluster & Car Apps
Creating in-car digital experiences to showcase Qualcomm’s technology.
When: 2015
For: Qualcomm
Role: UX & UI design: Instrument Cluster & Car Companion Apps
Opportunity
In support of Qualcomm’s automotive initiative, the UX team was challenged to create in-car digital experiences to address the needs of next-generation connected vehicles. A Cadillac XTS was retrofitted with new technologies to promote:
Synchronized multi-display between smartphone, rear-seat entertainment, infotainment unit, and instrument cluster Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Cockpit Platform.
Advanced Driver-Assistance Programs (ADAS) built on the Snapdragon Mobile Platform and the Qualcomm® AI Engine
I lead the interaction design and visual design for the instrument cluster and car companion apps.
1. Instrument Cluster
To showcase the power of the Snapdragon processor running the cluster, the cluster needed to have dynamic animations and house several different modes to feature different technologies.
Cluster Simulation Video
I used Adobe After Effects to create a video simulation. The simulation is a proof of concept that illustrates each mode of the cluster and the transitions between each mode (Intro animation, Instrument panel, ADAS, Maps, Bird’s Eye View). I presented this video to the UX team and to project stakeholders to enable all parties to visualize a “working” UI. This video gained quick buy-in for the design. The simulation also helped me explore and refine the motion design of the cluster.
Instrument Panel Mode
The cluster boasted many animations and moving details to demonstrate the latency-free processing power.
ADAS Mode
When in ADAS mode, I moved the position of the speedometer and tachometer gauges to the outer edges of the cluster to make way for the video navigation. Live video feed was overlaid with lane detection and navigation graphics and collocated in the cluster in real-time.
Maps Mode
When in maps mode, I scaled down the size of the gauges and adjusted their positions to the bottom outer edges of the display to maximize room for a large immersive map view.
2. Car Companion App
A mobile app was needed to enable a way for the driver and passenger(s) to manage their in-car settings and to help demonstrate personalization.
Home Screen
Use the app to lock and unlock the car and transfer all of your personal settings (climate control and comfort) to the car while within car proximity.
Climate Controls
Control climate (temperature and air flow) settings and comfort (seat position and temperature) settings from the app.
Driving Data - Instrument Cluster
View real-time cluster data. Parents can monitor how their kids are driving and be notified when thresholds are crossed.
Driving Data - Tire Pressure
View tire pressure and tire wear data in real-time.
3. Music Player App
The music player app was used to showcase connectivity and media aggregation with the infotainment system via Qualcomm’s AllPlay™ technology. The user can allow the car to automatically access their music to be played on demand or as part of a collective playlist.
Outcome
The concept car premiered at CES 2015 and paved the way for Qualcomm’s entrance into the automotive market. The in-car experience successfully demonstrated Qualcomm’s next-generation connectivity and processing power. Ultimately, this demo became the automotive benchmark for all of Qualcomm’s future automotive initiatives and lead to a multi-million dollar B2B relationship with Audi.