Mercedes Infotainment System UX Design
Context: This project was in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz at University of Westminster.
The Brief: Design an In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system for Mercedes and show how a user would accomplish the following tasks:
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Navigate to a gas station
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Make a phone call from their vehicle
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Connect their device via Bluetooth to their vehicle
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Share a digital key
Create a working prototype for each of these tasks.
Timeframe: 10 weeks
Team: Solo (Me)
My Role: User & industry research, wire-framing, prototyping, video editing
Tools used: Adobe XD, Adobe Premiere Pro, Sketch, Adobe Illustrator
The Challenge
How can Mercedes Infotainment System can improved that prioritise the users safety while allowing the digital flow in the car?
Users need an updated infotainment system in which the mobile devices can be replaced end to end to provide uses maximum safety while driving and they don’t find any need to takes their eyes off the road.
Industry Research
Mercedes has a historic reputation for using innovative technology and engineering in its design. Currently, Mercedes in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems implement nearly all the possible features a vehicle could possess, including head-up displays, centre console and driver displays, button control, gesture control, rotary wheel control, voice control, trackpad, and a connected mobile application Mercedes’s IVI system is considered to be highly developed and is praised by drivers. There are however, some aspects to be improved upon.
According to the NHTSA, 80% of accidents are caused by driver distraction (Mordor Intelligence, 2019).
Drivers need to be able to use their IVI system with minimal distraction, keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. These concerns are why this proposal focuses on voice control, HUD, and steering wheel controls with a touchscreen display whose purpose is mostly to serve the passenger.
Along with these features, the added functionality of an integrated mobile app allows drivers to complete tasks (such as finding navigation) on their device and then send it to their vehicle, minimising the need for interaction during driving.
Market Research
The HUD market is set to have a market value of $5 billion by 2023 (Market Research Future, 2019).
This staggering number proves that as technology advances in vehicles, auto companies will not have a choice but to fight for their share and remain competitive to consumers. This becomes particularly true when we start to consider developments in AR technology and how it can assist drivers on the road.
Key UX Insights
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Combined mobile app & IVI systems, especially ones that allow drivers to customise their preferences and actions, provide the best experience for drivers.
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Drivers need to be able to view as much information as possible in a glance. Key design elements should be readable & have high contrast. This also means that only key, absolutely essential data should be presented on screens and interfaces, but also that drivers should be able to customise what they consider essential.
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IVI Systems benefit from day & night colour modes.
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Touch screens should have clear & large tap points, as drivers cannot place a lot of focus on tapping small buttons.
User Research & Target Audience
At present, Mercedes segments their market by car model, meaning that targets for S-class differ from those of A-class. They target drivers through all stages of life, aiming to follow drivers from the early stages of their careers through retirement, and offer different models to evolve as their drivers do.
Mercedes aims to maintain driver loyalty over time by using lower car models to target those who may be switching to their brand. A quick look at their website proves that Mercedes aims for sustainability luxury in automotive industry.
Competitor Analysis
Identifying Goals
The ultimate goal is to create a premium infotainment experience to improve user journey.
1. Navigation: Locating nearest petrol/ electric charging.
2. Call a Friend
3. Connect a device: Connect / pair a mobile phone
4. Security: Enable to a friend with a virtual key
Personas
User Journey
Information Architecture
A Fully Integrated System...
Goal 1: Navigate like a PRO!!
Implement:
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Drivers can find either directions in the Mercedes ME app.
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OR utilise the voice command or centre display to navigate.
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Voice guidance is optional to the drivers if they want to turn ON/OFF according to their own needs.
Result:
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Directions are provided through the windscreen with blue arrows by AI.
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Navigation can be viewed on either the control display, HUD or driver instrument cluster according to users settings.
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Mercedes will provide voice guidance to navigate if users has chosen to turn ON the voice guidance.
Navigation while driving that provides location to the users through maps on bottom of heads up display and giving direction through blue arrows in heads up display without getting distracted and willing to take eyes off road.
Supported Technologies:
Heads-Up Display
Voice Assistance
Artificial Intelligence
Goal 2: Make calls effortlessly...
Implement:
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Drivers can make a call by voice command by saying “Hey Mercedes call XYZ” or by clicking on the voice button on the screen of the centre display.
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Drivers have to make sure their devices are connect by bluetooth to sync the contacts on their devices.
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Drivers can also manually enter phone number on centre display to make a call.
Result:
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Calls can be connected or disconnected using the steering wheel button, via touch screen on the control display, or by using voice assistant.
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Call displays are always shown on the control display, but have the option to also display them on the the driver instrument cluster, or HUD.
Supported Technologies:
Centre console Display
Voice Assistance
Buttons on the steering wheel
Goal 3: Connect your device easily...
Implement:
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Drivers must enable bluetooth on their devices to connect their devices with the vehicle.
Result:
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Driver can either go to bluetooth icon on the home-screen of their centre control screen or can go to settings to pair the device.
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Once the devices are paired, the most recent and often device connected will automatically connect every time it is nearby.
Supported Technologies:
Bluetooth
Goal 4: Share your virtual key with YOUR PEOPLE!!
Users can enable a friend through virtual key that can only be accessible if the other users have Mercedes-Benz mobile app. Users can set their personal phone as a “Phone Key” that communicates with bluetooth. Mercedes-Benz app would be able to connect 3 phone keys simultaneously. To connect to a new device on the phone app, users need authentication from the primary user of the car by providing a 4 key factor key code for the first time. Once a phone has been authenticated, it would no longer require an internet connection to be used as a phone key. A phone key will also supports automatic locking and unlocking of the car.
Supported Technologies:
Bluetooth
Mobile App
Implement:
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Primary user of the car driver navigate to the Key screen on the Mercedes app, where they can follow instructions for a digital key.
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Then user share their token code key via text message (the recipient must also have the Mercedes app) and activate it inside their vehicle.
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Result:
The virtual key is shared with the secondary user but can be removed anytime by the primary user.
