[Dry goods] Introduction to the layout of car central control screen

In the era of large screen and the background of touch screen technology, in the process of mobile phone from one hand to two hands, and then to free operation, the central control screen of the car is also following the trend of the market, with a development history similar to but different from that of mobile phone screen.

Development History of Automotive Central Control Screen

1 Central control of passing cars: mainly based on buttons

The original center console had no screen to speak of. At that time, the center console was the regulator of radio and air conditioner, and it was all physical buttons. In fact, at the beginning of the 20th century, the original center console of foreign cars was the same. There was no screen, and it was mainly physical buttons, with simple and simple functions.

2 LCD instrument+central control screen appears, but the screen is small

With the development of the times and technology, LCD instrument+central control screen began to appear. At this stage, central control screen and entertainment content began to appear. However, the screen size was generally 6 inches to 8 inches, with few application functions. Users are still used to using mobile phones as auxiliary tools.

3 With the development of electric vehicles, large screens become a trend

In modern times, with the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry, the concepts of intelligent AI and interpersonal communication have also emerged, and the demand for the center console and the complexity of its functions have become more sophisticated. As a result, the screen has become larger and larger.

The most amazing thing in the cockpit of Tesla Model S launched in 2013 is the 17 inch screen. The super high resolution, smooth operation and beautiful UI design initially drove many Americans crazy. Just as Apple's mobile phone has overturned the traditional mobile phone industry, Tesla has also overturned the traditional automobile industry. In 2014, the upgraded Mercedes Benz S-class connected two 12.3-inch screens together to form a 23 inch large screen, which is 6 inches more than Tesla's large screen.

Biden M-Byte, a 48 inch giant screen, runs horizontally through the dashboard, subverting the interior design of the car once again.

The large rotary screen of BYD series cars can play new tricks and can be rotated to control, just like the horizontal screen and vertical screen of mobile phones. Whether BYD can play or not.

In fact, it is not difficult to see that, although the central control screen of cars is also developing in a larger and larger direction, the changes of the central control screen are more diversified than those of mobile phones due to different space and functional requirements.

Differences in layout types of mainstream central control screens

There are many kinds of central control screen layouts in the automobile market today. Generally speaking, they can be divided into four types. They have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is hard to say who will become the final standard, but let's first understand their differences.

- Digital instrument+vertical central control screen

Taking Tesla Model S as a typical representative, Weilai ES8, Xiaopeng G3, BYD Song EV, Tang EV, Weima EX5, etc. all adopt this layout, and on this basis, they are improved and adjusted, with rotary screen and other functions.

Layout Disadvantages

The line of sight is too focused on the central control screen, which is dangerous when leaving the road.

The information displayed on the central control screen is mixed. There is no distinction between navigation, vehicle control and video entertainment. The operation is complex.

Two digital instruments+two central control screens

With Audi A8 as the representative, the center console has been replaced by two LCD screens. The traditional physical buttons/buttons and touch panels no longer exist, and feedback confirmation will be made through sound and touch when operating. The 10.1-inch screen at the top is used to display general information such as navigation and vehicle settings. The screen at the bottom can be used for handwriting input. The best thing is that it can cover handwriting. It is easy to recognize multiple characters at a time.

Layout Disadvantages

The position of the central control screen is low, and the operator's vision is far away from the road during operation, which is a safety risk. The lower input screen is located forward and low, which is inconvenient for personnel to operate.

Three digital instruments+horizontal central control screen

Horizontal parallel layout, digital instrument+central control screen, and the main operation is concentrated on the central control screen.

Layout Disadvantages

The central control screen is far away from the driver, and the contact is far away, so it is inconvenient to operate.

Similarly, the display information is mixed. Navigation, vehicle control and video entertainment are indistinguishable, and the operation is complex.

Four digital instruments+horizontal suspension screen+physical buttons

Layout represented by Audi MMI (Multi Media Interface) system: digital instrument+central control suspension screen+physical button operation. After the vehicle ignition switch is turned on, the display screen hidden in the center console will automatically rise, and the MMI system will be turned on. The system functions can be selected by rotating the control knob.

Layout Disadvantages

The operation is separated from the screen through the on-off button, which does not conform to the daily use habits.

When multiple tasks are displayed alternately, the frequently displayed information will be interrupted. For example, when the phone is connected, the navigation information will be interrupted.

The display information is mixed, navigation, vehicle control and video entertainment are indistinguishable, and the operation is complex.

V. Cancel digital instrument+central control screen

Tesla Model 3 represents a new layout, and Geely New Energy Geometry A has also improved on this layout. The layout cancels digital instruments, only retains the central control screen, integrates information, and is of a more forward-looking scientific and technological type in design.

Layout Disadvantages

It is difficult for people to adapt to the cancellation of digital instruments for the time being, and it will be more suitable to cooperate with the head up display.

When multiple tasks are displayed alternately, the frequently displayed information will be interrupted. For example, when the phone is connected, the navigation information will be interrupted.

When people shift their eyes to the central control screen, they will stay away from the road, which will pose a certain safety risk.

Design trend of large screen in the future

Direction 1:

Taking model 3 as the prototype, it adds the head up display function, integrates the basic vehicle information display into the HUD, and the central control screen displays the functions in different zones, so that users can operate without interruption. This is the layout adopted by Geely New Energy Geometry A.

Direction 2:

Taking Audi A8 as the prototype, the display position of the central control screen is improved, and the central control screen is moved up, so that the three large screens are combined into one, forming a triple integrated large screen. The vision of personnel can take into account the road surface, and the position of the operation screen is easy to reach, which improves the safety and convenience, and makes the appearance more cool and avant-garde.

Large screen design shall be considered

At present, the layout of the central control screen on the market is quite diversified, and different layouts and playing methods emerge in endlessly. However, most of them deviate from the original intention of the central control screen design, and do not fully consider the safety and security of drivers on the basis of improving safety and convenience

Rationality of layout

No matter what kind of screen is used, we need to consider the rationality of layout in terms of human-computer interaction.

From the perspective of human biology principles, the maximum horizontal angle of view of a human single eye can reach 156 degrees, and the maximum horizontal angle of view of two eyes can reach 188 degrees. The screen layout cannot exceed this angle, and once crossed, it will affect safe driving.

For this reason, the installation position of the screen should be ergonomic, which can give the driver the optimal vision range in the manual driving scene, and help them obtain the corresponding driving information at the most appropriate angle during driving.

Rationality of function allocation

At present, the mainstream development trend of the screen is dynamic, intelligent and real-time function distribution. It can be simply understood that screen functions will be considered from "what functions should be done at what time and how".

It can be seen from this that no matter what type of screen it is, the important feedback level should be placed at the top level, so that drivers can give timely feedback and reduce traffic accidents - which is also the highest philosophy of instrument and central control screen design.