Digital instrument clusters and the road to autonomous driving

Guest post by Walter Sullivan, head of Innovation Lab, Silicon Valley, Elektrobit Automotive

Autonomous driving requires new user experience interfaces, always on connectivity, new system architectures and reliable security. In addition to these requirements, the real estate in the car is changing as we move towards autonomous driving, and the traditional display is being replaced by head up displays (HUD), digital instrument clusters, and other screens. The digital cluster is where automakers can blend traditional automotive status displays (such as odometer, speed, etc.) with safety features, entertainment, and navigation, providing a more personalized, safe, comfortable, and enjoyable driving experience.

For autonomous vehicles, the human-machine interface (HMI) will change with the level of autonomy. Until vehicles are fully autonomous, all the traditional functions of the in-car HMI must be covered and driver distraction needs to be minimized. As we progress through piloted drive towards full autonomy, additional functions are taking center stage in the instrument cluster: driver assistance (distance to vehicle in front, speed limit, optimized time to destination/fuel consumption, object detection, etc.).

The digital instrument cluster brings a number of benefits to the driver experience including:
  • Comfort: The more information that a driver has about the route, right before his or her eyes, the more comfortable the drive. Digital clusters that provide map data, not just routing guidance but information on the nearest gas station, traffic, upcoming toll roads, etc., give the most comfort by empowering the driver with the information needed to get to the destination quickly and safely.
  • Safety: Drivers benefit from cars that know what’s on the road ahead. Through electronic horizon-based features, clusters can display “predictive” driver-assistance information that delivers to the driver important messages regarding safety.
  • Entertainment: Consumers are looking for vehicles that allow them to transfer their digital lifestyle seamlessly into the driving experience. The cluster can enable such integration, allowing the driver to control a smartphone using the in-car system, stream music, make phone calls, and more.

As more software and technology enters the car and we move closer to the fully autonomous vehicle, the cluster will continue to be the main platform for HMI. Automakers are challenged to build the most user-friendly, personalized clusters they can, with today’s cars employing advanced visual controls that integrate 3D graphics and animation and even natural language voice control. Drivers will rely more heavily on the cluster to provide them information that ensures their safety and comfort during the ride.

Digital instrument cluster developed using EB technology, as shown in the QNX reference vehicle.

Curious about what this kind of technology looks like? Digital instrument clusters developed using Elektrobit (EB) Automotive software will be displayed at the QNX Software Systems (booth C92) during TU-Automotive Detroit, June 3-4. QNX will feature a demo cluster developed using EB GUIDE that integrates a simulated navigation route with EB street director, plus infotainment and car system data. You can also see EB technology in action in the QNX reference vehicle based on a Jeep Wrangler, in which EB street director and the award-winning EB Assist Electronic Horizon are both integrated in the digital cluster.


Walter Sullivan is head of Elektrobit (EB) Automotive’s newly established Silicon Valley Innovation Lab, responsible for developing and leading the company’s presence in Silicon Valley, as well as building and fostering strategic partnerships around the globe.

Visit Elektrobit here.

Spain May 2015 (Updated)



Outlander #1 Edition

This time we start the monthly roundup with Spain, with 673 units sold this year, sales have doubled regarding the same period last year, with the second half of the year being typically the strongest, sales should rise sharply in the coming months.

After several attempts after landing here, the Mitsu Outlander PHEV finally won a Monthly Best Seller trophy in May, selling 32 units and managing to be the first Plug-In Hybrid to get there, will we see it reach the Leaf and become the first PHEV to win a Best Seller trophy in Southern Europe? With the Leaf (Only 10 sales last month) showing some wrinkles, i wouldn't bet against it.

Great result for the BMW i3 (27 units, a year best), allowing it to reach #4, while the Nissan e-NV200 / Evalia twins lost some ground, selling just 8 units, even allowing themselves to be beaten by the veteran Kangoo ZE (13 units) in May, while losing the runner-up position for Mitsu's SUV in the yearly ranking. 

The Audi A3 e-Tron also shined, selling 15 units last month (3rd in May ranking) and promising a stand out position in the future, once the availability stops being an issue.

Who doesn't seem to impress anyone this year is the #6 Renault Zoe, with five sales last month and 41 this year, the french car has to take the pedal to the metal if it wants to preserve its runner-up position by year end.

Looking at the rest of the YTD table, there are two newcomers, the Mercedes B-Class ED finally makes its two first registrations, while one VW XL1 thing has landed in spanish soil last month.

On the manufacturers ranking, despite a weak month, Nissan continues to lead (It has 38% Share), followed by Renault (16%), and Mitsubishi (14%).

A final comment on the BEV / PHEV breakdown, Plug-in Hybrids now account for 25% of the market, while in 2014 they represented just 15%, which shows that PHEV's are making important inroads in what once was BEV territory.

PlSpainMayYTD'15%'14Pl
1Nissan Leaf10158241
2Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV3295143
3
4
Nissan e-NV200 / Evalia
BMW i3
8
27
91
71
14
11
6
4
5Renault Twizy e)54165
6Renault Zoe53552
7Renault Kangoo ZE e)133357
8
9
Smart Fortwo ED
Audi A3 e-Tron
12
15
20
19
3
3
8
N/A
10
11
12
13
14
14
16
17
18
18
20
20
20
20
24
Porsche Cayenne Plug-In
BMW i8
Piaggio Porter EV
Porsche Panamera Plug-In
Kia Soul EV
Volkswagen e-Golf
Volkswagen e-Up!
Tesla Model S
Toyota Prius Plug-In
Mercedes S500 Plug-In
Volvo V60 Plug-In
Peugeot Partner EV
Mercedes B-Class ED
Porsche 918
Volkswagen XL1
6
2
5
5
5
3
2



1
2
2
1
1
18
17
14
12
10
10
8
6
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
N/A
10
N/A
11
22
13
18
14
14
N/A
9
20
N/A
22
N/A

TOTAL
162
673
100




Source: foro coches electricos







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