Smart Dashboards might be “smart” – but are motorists smart enough to use them without being distracted from the road? A Smart Dashboard is a large, computer-style screen typically mounted behind the steering wheel and so replacing the mechanical speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge, etc.
But a Smart Dashboard is capable of more. Audi, for example, courtesy of the Consumer Electronics Show , has revealed a mock-up of a concept that will launch soon. Operation comes via a circular dial behind the gear stick flanked by a handful of buttons such as “back”. The system can also interpret multi-touch gestures such as zoom and scroll (like a smartphone). This combination of controls enables the motorist to select his/her preference of music by artist, album and genre. Alternatively, the interface controls the integrated satellite navigation system, telephone, sound settings and radio – all via a few buttons and a twelve-inch screen behind the steering wheel. The motorist can also choose whether the screen presents a more traditional image of a large speedometer, or focus more heavily on the satellite navigation. Other companies have – or soon will have – similar systems.
Critics claim Smart Dashboards can distract motorists. Manufacturers minimise potential risk by ensuring their user interfaces are intuitive and straightforward. But it is ultimately motorists’ responsibility to look through the windscreen rather than stare at the dashboard or fiddle with buttons. That has always been the case, even when cars were fairly basic. Decades ago, for example, it might have been claimed that having cassette players in vehicles was dangerous. But most drivers were sensible enough only to operate them at safe moments such as while waiting at red lights. Nowadays, millions of drivers have satellite navigation mounted to their windscreens. These systems speak, have moving images of maps and require motorists to control them via touch or voice commands so could be considered distracting. But again, most people are sensible enough to operate them at appropriate moments. Smart Dashboards are the future and only as distracting as people permit.