With the growing demand for luxurious, safe, and smart vehicles, automotive manufacturers are increasingly developing automobiles with integrated infotainment systems – systems that provide a combination of entertainment and information for an enhanced in-vehicle experience. Understand what an in-vehicle infotainment system it and learn about the various features and components that work behind the scenes.
The entire automotive industry is moving towards developing innovative technologies to enable better connectivity solutions, improve vehicle safety, and enhance in-vehicle user-experience. One of the key technologies, which works as a focal point of all the modern automotive systems and integrates their functions to be controlled and monitored from one central unit, is “In-Vehicle Infotainment System”.
Modern in-vehicle’s infotainment systems connect with all the smart automotive technologies like ADAS systems, V2X connectivity solutions, telematics devices, smartphones, sensors etc., and integrates them with each other to provide a great driving experience. Modern in-vehicle systems are truly adding a luxurious touch to vehicles and offering an interactive experience to the driver. Besides playing your favorite song tracks or watching relaxing YouTube videos, you can now also get real-time traffic updates and call/text your loved ones without doing anything. Let’s explore more in this blog.
If you’re buying a new car, you’ll likely have come across the term ‘infotainment’. Infotainment combines two words – ‘information’ and ‘entertainment’. Thus, the infotainment system in a car refers to a system that delivers a combination of information and entertainment content/services. Moreover, infotainment systems are in-built car computers that combine a wide range of functions – from digital radios to in-built reversing cameras.
The IVI can be described as a combination of vehicle systems which are used to deliver entertainment and information to the driver and the passengers through audio/ video interfaces, control elements like touch screen displays, button panel, voice commands, and more.
The market analysts predict that the global automotive infotainment market will generate $20,720 million by 2030 and grow at a decent 8.32% CAGR. So, let’s learn a little about these technologically advanced systems.
In-vehicle infotainment works in integration with many other in-vehicle and external systems to deliver entertainment and information to the driver and passengers.
The main components of an in-vehicle infotainment systems are:
Integrated Head-Unit: In-vehicle infotainment head unit is a touch screen based, tablet-like device, mounted on the vehicle’s dashboard. With user friendly HMI, the head unit acts as a perfectly connected control center for the infotainment system.
Heads-Up Display: Automotive heads-up display is an integral part of high-end infotainment systems, which displays the vehicle’s real-time information on the transparent screen integrated with the vehicle’s windshield. Heads-up display helps in reducing the driver’s distraction while driving and assists him with key details like speed, navigation maps, electronic digital cluster (information from vehicle’s OBD port-II), climate, multimedia options, etc.
High-end DSPs and GPUs to support multiple displays: New age infotainment systems are powered by powerful automotive processors designed for advanced IVI systems. These automotive processors are capable of displaying content on multiple displays (e.g. Head-up Display or Windshield, Connected smartphones, Head Unit, and more) and delivers an enhanced in-vehicle experience to drivers and passengers.
Operating Systems: In vehicle infotainment systems require operating systems that are capable of supporting connectivity, convenience functions, and downloadable software applications to integrate new functions in the system. Operating systems like Android, Linux, QNX, Windows are leading the infotainment segment.
CAN, LVDS and other network protocol support (as per the requirement): The electronic hardware components in infotainment systems are interconnected with certain standardized communication protocols such as CAN (Controller Area Network). CAN or any other network protocol support allows microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other in applications without the host computer.
Connectivity Modules: Infotainment systems encompass GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth modules to provide connectivity with external networks and devices. These modules help in establishing services like navigation, internet connectivity and smartphone integration with the infotainment system.
Automotive Sensors Integration: Proximity sensors, gesture recognition sensors for detecting ambient light, camera sensors and many other in-vehicle sensors integrate with infotainment systems to provide safety-related information to the driver and passengers.
Digital Instrument Cluster: Hi-tech infotainment systems have transformed the automotive cockpit designs from static displays of the in-vehicle instruments to digital instrument clusters. Digital instrument clusters include digital displays of the traditional analog gauges in the vehicle like speedometer, RPM, odometer, etc.
Digital instrument clusters fetch information from the vehicle ECU unit via OBD port-II and displays in the display screen of the infotainment system. Being a part of the digital cockpit system, the instrument cluster is integrated with other digital interfaces of the vehicle like Head Unit, Heads-up Display (HUD) HVAC and Infotainment systems.
Some of the key features of in-vehicle infotainment system are as follows:
Control Elements: All the functionalities in the latest in-vehicle infotainment systems can be accessed and controlled using touch screen panel of the head unit, button panel, steering wheel controls and voice commands.
With increasing demand for highly customized in-vehicle infotainment systems, automotive solution providers are focusing on designing feature-rich, versatile, and powerful processors. For immersive in vehicle infotainment experience, processors needs to assist with high level of computing and intelligence in vehicles.
Advanced infotainment processors enable integration of multiple HD displays, execute driver assistance functions and assist in-vehicle entertainment in a connected environment. A powerful processor enriches an infotainment system with high performance, HD color display, high resolution and low power consumption. Some of the best in-vehicle platforms available in the market include:
The landscape of vehicle infotainment systems is undergoing a profound transformation, with several noteworthy trends defining the future of this technology. Firstly, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and voice recognition technology is revolutionizing how drivers interact with their infotainment systems. Secondly, seamless smartphone integration is a prominent trend. With the growing reliance on smartphones for navigation, communication, and entertainment, infotainment systems are becoming more closely integrated with these devices. Wireless connectivity, app mirroring, and compatibility with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard features, ensuring that drivers have easy access to their favorite apps and content while on the road.
Another significant trend is the demand for larger, high-resolution displays. Consumers expect infotainment screens to offer crisp visuals and responsive touch interfaces akin to their smartphones and tablets. This trend has led to the emergence of expansive, high-definition displays that serve as the focal point of the vehicle’s dashboard, providing a more immersive and user-friendly experience.
Lastly, cybersecurity is gaining prominence as a critical consideration in the development of infotainment systems. With the increasing connectivity and data-sharing capabilities of these systems, manufacturers are investing heavily in robust security measures to protect user data and safeguard the vehicle from potential cyber threats. In summary, the future of vehicle infotainment systems is marked by AI-driven innovation, seamless smartphone integration, impressive display technology, and a heightened focus on cybersecurity. These trends are reshaping the driving experience, making it more enjoyable, efficient, and secure for consumers worldwide.
All the above-mentioned features of the infotainment systems offer just a glimpse of the functionalities of future in-vehicle systems. Future infotainment systems will be very user friendly and easy to customize. The concept of digital cockpits for automotive will not be restricted to just small head-units or small displays on the windscreen, but there will be large infotainment systems and connected screens built into the vehicle’s dashboard and even on the roof of the vehicle. With the evolution of innovative systems based on AI and machine learning in automotive, we will have features like AI based maps, virtual assistants to assist autonomous features in a car, and more.
eInfochips as an automotive solutions provider, offers customized in-vehicle infotainment solutions for the automotive industry. We have expertise in the development of features like HMI, navigation, digital tracking, and multimedia integration. Do check our SoM Design for infotainment of EV Case study. Know more about our solutions for the automotive industry.
