Hyundai Showcases Futuristic Car Cabin Concept

• The cockpit is still in prototype stages.
• The multi-layer display consists of two displays which shows 3D readouts.
• Also gets two fully customisable touchscreens on the steering wheel, instead of regular buttons.
• Hyundai states that the cockpit reduces the driver’s distraction.

Technology is advancing everyday and carmakers are more than keeping up with it. The latest one to showcase its innovation is Hyundai. Still in its prototype stages, the carmaker has showcased a fully digital cockpit. Hyundai claims that this technology will not be limited to more expensive cars and will make its way to the brand’s mainstream models as well. Hyundai also demonstrated the prototype on an i30 to prove that the technology is for a wider customer base.

Hyundai’s cockpit development dates back to 2015. The carmaker had earlier replaced the number of buttons on the steering wheel with touch panels. These touchpads have now been replaced with two customisable touch displays on both sides. Each touchpad is split into four sections and upto five icons can be configured according to the driver’s liking. The information on the touchpad changes based on the information viewed on the instrument cluster. Hyundai has improved it further with haptic feedback and more customisation options.

The carmaker has also replaced the analogue dials of the instrument cluster with a multi layer display (MLD). The MLD consists of two displays which are stacked 6mm behind each other. This allows for a 3-D effect by one part being displayed on the front display and the other behind it. Hyundai claims that this will reduce distraction as 3D objects are easier to glance at than 2D. Furthermore, the display allows you to change the layout and display shortcuts for the most used functions.

Hyundai fitted the 2018 iteration of its concept steering wheel on a real car to conduct a driver distraction study. And the results showed that Hyundai’s cockpit is way below the limits of globally acknowledged vehicle safety associations. On the upside, all test users only indicated a slight distraction. At this point, both the MLD and the touch display steering buttons are in the early prototype stages and there is no clear timeline on when Hyundai will get this technology into production.