In the era of smart cars, cockpit design is changing from functional stacking to experience priority, and the importance of HMI (human-computer interaction interface) design is becoming more and more prominent. This article will explore how to optimize the information layout of the intelligent cockpit through the principle of “vision is above, operation is below” to improve the safety and convenience of driving.
In today’s rapid iteration of smart cars, cockpit design is undergoing a shift in thinking from “function stacking” to “experience first”. As a key area of human-computer interaction, the design of intelligent cockpit has a pivotal impact on driving safety, comfort and convenience.
The “vision is above, operation is below” is mainly reflected in the driver’s attention allocation and operating habits during the driving process to ensure driving safety and information acquisition efficiency, and further refine the reasonable distribution of information hierarchy and interaction area.
At the beginning, I put forward the principle of “vision is above, operation is below” in the process of participating in the formulation of the “Interactive Guidance Manual” by Baidu Internet of Vehicles. This principle aims to optimize the driver’s visual and operational experience during driving, reduce distraction caused by inconvenient information acquisition and operation, and improve driving safety. After a period of internal practice verification and continuous improvement, on May 23, 2022, through the article “Everyone is a Product Manager” Get started quickly! Key points of automotive HMI design” was officially released.
1. Physiological and psychological basis of vision
From the perspective of physiology and psychology, the visual system of the human eye has a unique structure and function, the foveal is a small area in the center of the retina, this part only has cones, and light can directly reach the cones, which gives the central field of vision extremely high visual acuity and color resolution, allowing it to process key information quickly and clearly. This physiological characteristic determines that when people observe things, they will instinctively focus their attention on the central area of their field of vision. According to the theory of perception in applied psychology, the human visual system prioritizes information from the center of the visual field and uses peripheral vision to perceive non-critical information to maintain the overall perception of the surrounding environment. Moreover, based on the theory of attention distribution, the driver’s attention resources during driving are limited, and placing the core driving information in the center of the visual cone can allow the driver to quickly capture key content, reduce distraction, and improve driving safety.
After 10 years of interaction design, why did I transfer to product manager?
After the real job transfer, I found that many jobs were still beyond my imagination. The work of a product manager is indeed more complicated. Theoretically, the work of a product manager includes all aspects of the product, from market research, user research, data analysis…
View details >
In the driving environment, the driver’s main attention is focused on the road ahead, and key information (such as speed, navigation, warning information, etc.) should be placed in the center of view first, and the design should focus on color to reduce the time cost caused by eye movement. Relatively minor information (such as entertainment, air conditioning, vehicle settings, etc.) can be placed within the peripheral field of vision, and the design should focus on shape and present it in an auxiliary way to avoid cognitive interference caused by information overload.
Based on this principle, the information layout of the HUD (head-up display system), instrument cluster and central control screen in the intelligent cockpit should conform to the visual characteristics to ensure that the driver obtains the most important information within the minimum range of line of sight.
2. The principle of “vision is above, operation is below”
The principle of “vision is above, operation is below” comes from the natural physiological habits and cognitive psychological characteristics of human beings. Physiologically, when people observe their surroundings, their eyes are usually used to looking up, while their hands are more inclined to operate under the body. This natural body posture allows the visual information to be placed above and the operating area to the bottom, which can better adapt to the body’s movement patterns and reduce the body’s fatigue. From a psychological point of view, when visual information and operation areas are arranged in this way, they are in line with people’s cognitive habits and behavioral expectations. After obtaining information, the driver can subconsciously perform corresponding operations to reduce cognitive load and the possibility of operational errors. This layout helps improve the efficiency of human-computer interaction, allowing drivers to focus more on driving tasks rather than wasting time and effort on finding information and action buttons.
3. Key points of intelligent cockpit information layout based on the vision cone and the principle of “vision on top, operation on bottom”
1. Reasonable layout of key information and display area
The key information of the intelligent cockpit mainly contains content that directly affects driving safety and driving routes, and is the core element that drivers must always pay attention to during driving. The details are as follows:
- Speed informationReal-time speed is the basic information for drivers to understand the driving status of the vehicle, which can help drivers judge whether they are speeding and adjust their driving rhythm, which is an important basis for ensuring driving safety.
- Navigation Guidance: Including the current driving direction, turning prompts at the next intersection, remaining mileage from the destination, etc., to provide drivers with accurate driving route guidance to avoid getting lost or going in the wrong direction.
- The driving status of the vehicle: Covers engine speed, fuel / remaining power, tire pressure, fault warning light, etc. This information allows drivers to keep abreast of the vehicle’s operating status and take quick action in case of abnormalities.
- Traffic signals and traffic information: For example, the status of the traffic lights ahead, road congestion, accident warning, etc., help the driver prepare in advance and adjust the driving strategy.
This key information should be accurately presented at the center and top of the driver’s visual cone through advanced technologies such as head-up display systems (HUDs), in line with the principle of “vision on top”. This allows drivers to quickly access critical information without moving their eyes extensively, reducing the time cost and risk of distraction caused by eye shifting.
2. Layout of secondary information and operation area
The secondary information of the intelligent cockpit is mainly content that is less related to driving safety but can improve driving comfort and entertainment. Specifically, it includes:
- Music playback information: Displays the currently playing song title, singer, album art, playback progress, etc., to meet the driver’s music entertainment needs during driving.
- Air conditioning setting information: Including the current interior temperature, wind speed gear, and air conditioning mode (cooling, heating, ventilation, etc.), which is convenient for the driver to adjust the interior environment according to his own needs.
- Vehicle setup information: For example, seat heating/ventilation status, rearview mirror angle adjustment, driving mode switching, etc., allow the driver to personalize the vehicle.
- Multimedia information: Includes radio channels, Bluetooth connection status, mobile phone connection information, etc., for managing and controlling multimedia-related functions.
This secondary information can be placed on the periphery of the visual cone and relatively downward. Although this information is not the core content of the driving process, it can also be easily perceived by the driver through peripheral vision when needed. At the same time, the operation area of this information is set at the bottom, so that the driver can naturally operate it with his hands after obtaining the information, which is in line with the principle of “operation below”. For example, some models design the multimedia control interface in the area at the edge of the central control screen, or operate it through physical buttons or touch buttons installed under the steering wheel, reducing the occupation of the central field of view.
3. Multi-screen linkage and information presentation in different driving scenarios
In the intelligent cockpit, multi-screen linkage technology realizes efficient display and interaction of information through collaborative work between multiple screens. Different screens undertake different information presentation tasks in different driving scenarios according to their position, size and functional characteristics to meet the needs of drivers in various situations.
- Urban road driving scene: In urban roads, traffic conditions are complex and changeable, and drivers need to pay close attention to road conditions and navigation information. At this time, the dashboard screen in front of the main driver’s seat mainly displays key driving information such as vehicle speed, rpm, and power/fuel level, ensuring that the driver can grasp the basic operating status of the vehicle at any time. The head-up display system (HUD) projects important information such as navigation guidance, traffic light status ahead, and real-time vehicle speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing the driver to obtain key information without lowering his head and reducing eye shift. The large central control screen can display detailed map information, including real-time road conditions, surrounding parking lots, gas stations and other locations, making it convenient for drivers to plan routes and find parking locations. At the same time, the screen in front of the passenger seat can display entertainment information, news information, etc., providing diversified content for the co-pilot passenger without disturbing the driver. This multi-screen linkage and information presentation method synthesizes the analysis and practice of the current automotive intelligence field for the needs of drivers and passengers in urban driving scenarios, and refers to the case studies of relevant automobile manufacturers in the design of intelligent cockpits and the research results of industry experts on intelligent cockpit information interaction.
- Highway driving scene: Driving faster on highways requires drivers to focus more on the road ahead. At this time, the dashboard screen and head-up display system still focus on key driving information and navigation information, but the navigation information will be displayed more concisely and clearly, highlighting the current driving direction and the distance from the next exit. The large central control screen can be switched to the vehicle settings interface, making it convenient for the driver to adjust the parameters of assisted driving functions such as adaptive cruise and lane keeping. At the same time, through the Internet of Vehicles technology, the central control screen can also obtain real-time information such as weather conditions and accident warnings on the road ahead, and provide warnings to drivers in advance. The screen in front of the passenger seat can continue to provide entertainment content, or display the vehicle’s energy consumption data, mileage statistics and other information to meet the different needs of the co-pilot passenger. This design concept draws on the automotive industry’s recent research on safety and comfort requirements in highway driving scenarios, as well as the experience summary of intelligent cockpit technology in practical applications.
- Night driving scene: When driving at night, the view is limited to a certain extent, and the driver pays more attention to key information. At this time, the brightness of the dashboard screen and head-up display system will automatically adjust to adapt to the light environment at night to avoid interference with the driver’s vision if it is too bright or too dark. The display color of key information will be more eye-catching, such as displaying information such as vehicle speed and navigation guidance in white or yellow to improve the recognition of the information. The brightness of the large central control screen will also be appropriately reduced to avoid reflection affecting the driver’s line of sight. At the same time, the large central control screen can display the vehicle’s night vision system image, helping the driver detect obstacles, pedestrians or animals on the road ahead in advance. The screen in front of the passenger seat can be adjusted to a low-brightness entertainment mode or turned off to reduce interference with the driver, depending on the needs of the passenger. This design refers to the characteristics of human vision in the night environment and related research results, aiming to provide drivers with a safer and more comfortable night driving experience.
- Parking scene: During the parking process, the driver needs to accurately grasp the environmental information around the vehicle. At this time, the large central control screen will switch to the reversing image or panoramic image interface, clearly displaying the situation behind and around the vehicle to help the driver safely complete the parking operation. At the same time, the dashboard screen can display the vehicle’s gear information, handbrake status, etc., to remind the driver whether the operation is correct. The screen in front of the passenger seat can display parking assistance prompts, such as distance from obstacles, parking route planning, etc., to provide the driver with more reference information. The application of this multi-screen linkage in parking scenarios combines the research on parking assistance technology in the field of automotive engineering and user feedback in actual driving.
By accurately presenting information in different driving scenarios, multi-screen linkage technology not only improves the efficiency of the driver’s acquisition of information, but also reduces the distraction of the driver’s attention from information overload, thereby improving driving safety and comfort. At the same time, this personalized information display method also meets the needs of different passengers and provides passengers with a more pleasant riding experience.
4. The latest research and practice of intelligent cockpit information layout
The latest research focuses on the integration of brain science and intelligent cockpits, exploring how to make cars smarter through brain control technology, and how to measure and evaluate human experience and perception more accurately. In the intelligent cockpit design, eye tracking technology is used to monitor the driver’s gaze, and the priority and position of the information display are dynamically adjusted according to the focus of the gaze, so that the information presentation can better match the driver’s attention needs. At the same time, some high-end models also use multi-screen linkage information management systems to accurately present the required information at the corresponding screen position in different driving scenarios to avoid information overload. These studies and practices are constantly verifying and improving the scientific and practical layout of intelligent cockpit information layout based on the vision cone and the principle of “vision on top, operation on the bottom”.
Based on the principle of vision cone and the principle of “vision on top, operation on bottom”, the intelligent cockpit information layout is an innovative design that integrates multidisciplinary knowledge. By deeply understanding the physiological and psychological characteristics of human beings, combined with the latest technological research results, a safer, more efficient and comfortable intelligent cockpit environment can be created, injecting new vitality into the development of smart cars.
