Next-Gen Automotive HMI: Intuitive & Adaptive In-Car Experience

Apr 15, 2025

Year

2025

Tools

Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop

🧭 Project Overview

Designed a production-ready infotainment interface for electric vehicles with modular, driver-focused interaction models. Focused on safety, clarity, and minimal cognitive load while enabling seamless access to navigation, media, climate, and drive modes.

🛠 Problem Statement

Drivers face distraction due to cluttered and nested infotainment systems. The challenge was to create a touch-first, glanceable, and context-aware HMI that scales across screen sizes and adapts to driving conditions.

🔍 Process

User Research: Ride-alongs, user interviews, benchmark analysis of OEM systems, and safety standards (NHTSA, ISO).
Insights: Glance time must be under 2s. Users expect persistent climate access and predictable spatial layouts.
Design Solution: Card-based layout, night/day themes, visual feedback for drive modes, 48dp+ tap targets, modular scaling.
Testing & Iteration: Figma prototype tested with 15 users. Iterated on color contrast, minimized menu depth, and refined climate controls.

✅ Outcome

42% improvement in task completion time over previous OEM baseline
Design scaled to 10–15” displays and considered in HUD roadmap
Enhanced driver safety and reduced visual clutter

💡 Key Learnings

Simplicity = clarity, not minimalism
In-car UX must balance visual design with physical context (motion, light, distraction)
Automotive HMI requires close collaboration with safety, hardware, and motion design teams

📸 HMI Frame Previews