Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Hyundai’s virtual cockpit limits distractions on the road, study finds

AJ Dellinger
By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the last few years, Hyundai has been working on modernizing the car cockpit. While it may seem like the stuff of science fiction, the carmaker is searching for new ways to display information in vehicles that make the necessities easy to access for drivers without causing a distraction that would require them to take their eyes off the road. Now the company is reporting the results of its first study designed to determine if its dashboard of the future could improve driver safety.

With the help of the Würzburg Institute for Traffic Science (WIVW), Hyundai set out to determine if its new virtual cockpit could help eliminate some of the distractions that cause drivers issues while behind the wheel. What it found is that the new display design was able to meet all of the requirements put forth by vehicle safety associations including the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recommended Videos

According to Hyundai, the virtual cockpit is “significantly below the limits” of distraction. In more complex uses, the test determined that Hyundai’s digital dashboard produced “only a slight distraction” that was noticeable but not strenuous or interfering with the task of driving. The drivers involved in the study also reported to liking the design of the display, finding the visual interface and haptic feedback to be intuitive.

Related

“We chose the i30 to demonstrate that innovations are not limited to higher-segment vehicles. Hyundai intends to prove that innovations need to be achievable for a broad customer base,” Regina Kaiser, Human Machine Interface Senior Engineer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center, said in a statement. “We are continuously working on new technologies that make our cars perfectly intuitive and user-friendly.”

It’s worth noting that the study only involved a prototype version of Hyundai’s virtual cockpit. The company is still working to design the technology that will appear in the final product and developments are still being made, though the concept has come a long way since development started in 2015. Of course, the company isn’t alone in developing a virtual dashboard replacement. Audi and other car manufacturers have also been experimenting with the concept.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
AJ Dellinger
AJ Dellinger
Contributor
AJ Dellinger is a freelance reporter from Madison, Wisconsin with an affinity for all things tech. He has been published by…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more