The tech transforming driving as we know it

Now, with connectivity and automation technologies rapidly advancing, the automotive industry is paving the way in a new era of technological advancement. With advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and ultra-functional infotainment displays now standard in new builds, the automotive human-machine interface (HMI) market is booming – and projected to grow rapidly as engineers continue to inch closer to making self-driving cars a reality. A recent market report estimates the market’s total value will top $30 billion by 2030 – a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.55%.

With so much money on the line, automakers are under significant pressure to push the envelope and redefine how technology fits into vehicles and onto our roads. However, designing dash consoles that are both easy to use and capable of supporting complex functions can be difficult. Striking this balance requires pairing effective design with capable, dynamic hardware.

Confronting in-car challenges

In-car technology presents a challenge for engineers – or, rather, a set of complicated and interconnected challenges. To achieve full automation (or even just meet customers’ current expectations), in-vehicle systems need to perform highly complex and demanding tasks, like presence detection, depth sensing, gesture tracking, object identification, and gaze mapping.

Today’s artificial intelligence (AI) applications are more than capable of pulling off these functions, but the constraints of in-vehicle builds present a unique challenge for designers:

• Space and power. Engineers only have so much available space (and power) to work with when designing in-vehicle systems. Additionally, expanding the footprint dedicated to the HMI’s build or diverting more power to the system to accommodate additional compute capability is often not feasible
• Longevity. Compared to most consumer technologies, cars have incredibly long use-lives: often lasting decades rather than months or years. In-vehicle systems need robust and adaptable components that stand the test of time without breaking, slowing down, or proving too inflexible to change alongside industry standards. They also need components with high interoperability and scalability to ensure they work with any new software or hardware that may be added to the vehicle
• Mobility. Perhaps this is stating the obvious, but cars have to move. They can go anywhere, so their connected systems must work reliably everywhere – and the stakes when these systems fail can be incredibly high. On the purely ‘frustrating’ side of the spectrum, lost functionality might mean a bad user experience or a missed turn. On the other end, there’s the possibility of severe injury or loss of life
• Security. The risk associated with security lapses in vehicles’ digital systems is unique. Like any networked device, there’s potential for bad actors to breach the system and steal confidential information – but there is also the potential for cyberattacks to have physical consequences. Hacked ADAS or self-driving functions could lead to accidents, while known faults in digital locks/keys could make certain makes or models a target for theft
• User needs. While phones and tablets are designed to completely engage the user, the best auto HMIs are so intuitive that drivers barely realise they’re interacting with them. They must be simple and accessible so drivers can keep their eyes and attention on the road – a key reason why many carmakers are embracing physical buttons and gesture-based navigation within their designs after years of touch-first UX

Addressing these challenges and requirements is a lot to balance. Many carmakers are counting on advancements in underlying technologies to perfect the next generation of automobile HMIs.  

Auto’s next phase of early adoption

As history has shown, the auto industry thrives on innovation. With the right tools and technologies, manufacturers can lead the charge into a new era of safer, more connected driving. The solutions for mastering auto HMI are already here, and car manufacturers can once again lead the way in adoption – this time, at the component and infrastructural level. Key technologies that will support this endeavor include:

Edge AI. This solution sits at the intersection of two of technology’s most promising achievements: AI and Edge computing. Since Edge systems allow data to be processed at different ‘levels’ based on priority or application, their utilisation reduces latency and preserves connection quality to ensure continuous functionality. When paired with compressed (‘tiny’) AI models that can run on small devices and adapt to environmental factors as the car moves, it provides an elegant solution to many of vehicle designers’ most pressing obstacles.

Automotive Ethernet. This adaptation of Ethernet protocols is specially designed to improve the reliability of in-vehicle networks, increase their bandwidth, reduce wiring complexity, and enable point-to-point communication between different systems. This technology supports large data volumes, making it ideal for applications requiring rapid transmission, such as video feeds from cameras and real-time sensor data for autonomous driving. It’s also built with flexibility, scalability, and interoperability in mind to ensure that HMIs can keep up with changing technology and accommodate new connections throughout the car’s use.

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). These specialised semiconductors provide numerous benefits for vehicle HMIs, enhancing the functionality and adaptability of in-vehicle systems. FPGAs offer unique parallel processing capabilities, making them ideal for handling multiple inputs from sensors and controls concurrently – a critical feature in next-gen HMI design. With low power demands and small form factors, they mitigate the space and power constraints inherent in auto HMI builds. Furthermore, their reliability, high I/O capacity, and scalability contribute to the overall performance and longevity of the vehicle's HMI, ensuring a safer and more engaging user experience.

A key feature, FPGAs’ reconfigurable architecture allows engineers to implement complex algorithms and processing tasks tailored to specific requirements – and update programming seamlessly as technology evolves. This flexibility is crucial for supporting advanced features such as real-time data processing and customisable UIs, which can adapt to user preferences or changes in the driving environment.

The above are just a few of the advancements that will define the next era of vehicle HMI, enhancing safety, security, and satisfaction for drivers. The convergence of Edge AI, enhanced connectivity, and durable hardware solutions represents an exciting opportunity for car manufacturers to redefine the driving experience and continue their legacy of driving innovation across industries.

The road ahead

As we look toward the future, collaboration among engineers, designers, and manufacturers will be essential to ensure that these technologies are effectively harnessed to create a seamless driving experience that inspires confidence and enjoyment for manufacturers, drivers, and passengers alike.

What exactly that will look like is uncertain – but what is sure is that the automotive industry is poised for its next technological revolution, and optimising HMIs amid this evolution will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of driving. The miles ahead promise exciting changes that will transform our relationship with vehicles, making them not just a mode of transportation but connected, highly functional parts of our daily lives.

By Hussein Osman, Director, Segment Marketing, Lattice Semiconductor