Discovery & UX Process: Lexus/Toyota HMI Cockpit Design Concept

It was not hard to predict that a digital design would completely rethought out an automotive human machine interaction (HMI) experience. I have been seeking a work opportunity to be part of this historical change in an automobile industry. In 2016, I finally put together my own automotive HMI design portfolio.

Ideation

The key points to organize my presentation plan:

  • Start out with choosing my own car, 2014 Lexus IS, and work on the redesign based on my own driving experience and user testing of UX design.
  • Select two more car types with a distinctive target audience and use case scenario in a time line in mind for each car type:
    • An auto-pilot car, released in 2030, with its predicting advanced technology and our life style at the time. 
    • A hybrid car, released in 2021, attracting people who just use a car for an utility and mobility purpose.
    • Lexus IS, released in 2017, representing a luxury sports car and many enthusiasts who love to drive the car for a high performance and excitement.
  • Concept from all angles – UX mediums such as an instrument cluster and a center infotainment system, a connected car experience with iPhone, Android phones, smart watches, and internet; Occasions people drive their car – Commute, choirs, excursion, long vacation, emergency, etc.
thumbnail_lexus_Plan.jpg

 Industry Analysis & Design Research

Research_Wall.JPG

I gathered all of the automotive HMI design samples on Pinterest and elsewhere on the Internet, analyzed and assessed what automobile companies would be working on now and for the future HMI project.

The study concluded me with a few important design concept takeaways:

  • Movement of Eyes – Keep your eyes at as few focal points as possible. More you have screen monitors in a few different depth of fields, it'll take your precious nano seconds away from a driving focus.
  • Cohesive UX and Visual Design – From an instrument cluster design to an infotainment system design, one car model to another car model, what needs to be cohesive is its interaction and UX quality with the use of same visual design language.
  • Customizable Set-Up – Cars now can accommodate each driver and passenger's preferences to meet his or her different driving experience. 
Product + Event DesignHiro MoriDiscovery + Ideation