Automotive
| Volvo has introduced an innovative in-car entertainment and information system that eliminates the majority of the conventional knobs and buttons that are usually found on cars' dashboards. |
While in-vehicle infotainment systems are certainly very useful and provide many benefits to drivers and other vehicle occupants, enabling hands-free phone connectivity, real-time traffic information and turn-by-turn directions, and the use of social media, there are legitimate concerns about whether they cause a lapse in concentration and increase driver distraction. That's why automakers are trying to make such systems more user-friendly and eliminate unnecessary distractions, so that drivers can focus on the road, but still be able to stay connected and use their navigation and infotainment features. Volvo is one of those automakers whose commitment to vehicle safety and passenger protection, which can be seen in their infotainment systems, as well.
The system employs a large touchscreen, that's roughly the size of an average tablet, which drivers can use to control virtually all vehicle systems |
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The system employs a large touchscreen, that's roughly the size of an average tablet, which drivers can use to control virtually all vehicle systems. They can also connect their smartphones to it, so that they can use their functionalities, including phone, messaging, music, and navigation. A lightning connector provided by the car maker will allow you to connect your Apple iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s to your car's dashboard seamlessly.
Volvo partnered up with Apple to develop this system, which will employ Apple's CarPlay platform, and the new XC90 SUV, which will be available for purchase later this year, will be the first vehicle to get it. It has an excellent user interface design, with each function shown as a large tile, which expands when touched, as the rest of the tiles get smaller, but are still displayed on the screen.
The capacitative touchscreen is pretty similar to traditional tablet and smartphone touchscreens, and it is extremely easy to use, since it's much more responsive and can be easily used through swiping and tapping. With this screen, there is no need for physical buttons to control the most important vehicle functions, except for the volume control knob, and a climate control button. You can use both your smartphone's and your car's infotainment system functions simultaneously, without having to toggle between menus.
The tablet's screen is split into to two parts, with the smartphone functions displayed on the bottom section, and information related to your vehicle's systems shown on the top part of the screen.
Apple CarPlay provides various services, such as composing, and sending text messages through voice controls, making and receiving hands-free phone calls, along with third-party apps, such as Stitcher, Beats Radio, and Spotify.
With this radical infotainment system design, Volvo aims to enhance your in-car experience, offering a highly-functional user interface, that reduces driver distraction significantly, and at the same time, allows drivers to use the system's communication and infotainment features in a safe manner.
| By Jordan Perch | Embed |
Author Bio - Jordan Perch is an automotive fanatic and “green cars” specialist. He is an author of many how-to articles related to safe driving, green technologies, auto insurance etc. Currently blogging for DMV.com.
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