glueglue™ | In-car User interfaces: who does it better?

In this article we’re going to analyze the current state of UX and UI design in cars, focusing on tech companies such as Apple, Google and Tesla.

car user interface UX/UI

Today’s consumers have grown accustomed to high-quality digital experiences via their mobile devices. The beautifully designed apps and services they consume provide them with always-on access to their personal information, they are also used to constantly getting more value through regular feature updates.

In order to provide the same kind of digital human experience to the users, automotive companies need to improve the user interface inside the next vehicle generation.

Adding digital screens and human-interfaces to the interior of a car, allows data from mobile devices and from the cloud to be fully integrated into the core driving experience – the manufacturers that give car buyers what they want by turning this data into personalized services that continue to improve over time will benefit from higher customer satisfaction.

Defining user experience inside cars

According to Raureif GmbH, User Experience is everything related to on-screen GUI (Graphic User Interfaces) in cars. The on-screen user experience in the latest car models could be divided into these categories:

Entertainment and communication: The UI related with UI for music, telephone, messaging, web, third-party apps. These features are accessed mostly through the display located in the center console…
The dashboard UI for the tachometer, warning, driving assistance, and other controls related to driving.
Everything else, such as climate control, general settings and other car settings.

user interface car ux by use case

Car Play is already working

user interface carplay-ux

Car Play is a product made by Apple, which is a streamlined way to connect an iPhone to your car’s infotainment system, letting you access smartphone functions like music, messaging, calls, navigation, etc. The user interface has been designed in order to simplify the user experience, the dimensions of icons and buttons has been increased in order to make the navigation easier through the UI. If you are an iPhone user, in this system you’ll find less applications in order to prevent any kind of distractions and car crashes.
To sum up, CarPlay is a smart and secure way to use your phone while driving.

Down below you’ll find some screenshots of Car play’s UI.

user interface car play ux

One app, two ways to use Android Auto

Google has also developed its own app called Android Auto. It gives you access to many functions such as phone calls, messages, music and Google Maps. In other words, having Android Auto integrated with your car is like driving with Google in the passenger seat.

It’s like driving with Google in the passenger seat

Without even having to think about it, Android Auto suggests directions on where you might want to go. This feature is based on recent searches or a daily routine.

So, if you are an android phone user you will find this UI very familiar. Android auto is available also for mobile, so if you do not have a car that supports this service, you can always use it through your phone.

Tesla – the best infotainment system on the market

Tesla cars are built on a giant touchscreen display, which gives you access to every function and settings of the car. If we compare it with Car Play and Google Auto, Tesla infotainment system does not require a direct USB connection with the smartphone and that’s great!

user interface

The latest interface has a simpler and cleaner approach, the user experience has improved a lot.

In fact, now you can place two different functions in different panes at the same time, for example navigations and media, in order to have everything under control. Thanks to the giant display you have also access to car settings, such as lights, doors, sunroof, etc.

What will happen in the near future?

Apple and Google are both partners and rivals of car companies in this race, and it is becoming challenging for manufacturers to avoid offering their services because consumers already have a long history with these companies’ ecosystems. Car companies have realized that by investing in digital design, they can provide an outstanding digital user interface of a car and leverage the added value of deep integration with the key elements of the driving experience.
Will they be able to differentiate and deliver connected car experiences to rival those of their competitors, as well as Apple and Google?
Feel free to express your thoughts about this topic by leaving a comment down below.

Our replies
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We are a digital product agency with more than 10 years of experience and highly specialized skills in both design and development.
Over time, we have consolidated an agile and effective method to work best with all types of clients: from the start-up that needs some kind of support to the multinational corporation that wants to integrate a team with design and executive agility, our most appreciated peculiarity.
We are positioned in a medium-high market segment and are able to offer excellent value for money. Direct supervision by glueglue's founding partners of each project ensures the highest quality of service and finished product. We are on the top list of the best User Experience and digital product agencies on Clutch, the most widely used database of digital consulting agencies in the world.

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We always start with a careful analysis of the customer's needs considering not only the product needs but also the medium and long-term business objectives.
As a first step, we often deal with the visual identity, evaluating the positioning by analyzing the competitor and identifying areas for improvement in terms of branding and image.
Then, we move on to the UX/UI area: we study the user experience of your product or service through a UX Review with 3 dedicated professionals to identify the points which it is necessary to act to improve the usability of the site or app examined.
In the following phase, we design the User Journey Map, i.e. the map of all the paths that the user follows, interacting with the product and the brand . Identifying all the contact points is of strategic importance in order to immerse ourselves in situations of real use and understand where value can really be created for the end user and therefore for the product.
We will then move on to the phase of creating the wireframes, with the sharing of an interactive prototype that will define the functionality and structure of each single page and interaction of the product.
Once the wireframes have been consolidated, we will move on to the design phase of the graphic interface, with attention paid to the smallest details in so as to ensure a positive and truly satisfying user experience.
At this point, our developers come into play for the implementation part. We use the most current technologies such as React, Flutter, Gatsby JS, Symfony, Node.JS and others to create products with high standards of quality and stability, working and pixel perfect.

What distinguishes glueglue from other top design or product agencies?

To offer maximum value, the glueglue team works on a limited number of projects. In this way, our professionals can dedicate an uninterrupted focus to always obtain excellent results.
Each project is managed on the basis of precise deadlines and intermediate meetings with the client. We take care of the unique needs and potential of each product and consequently, each solution created is exclusive and highly customized.
Thanks to the experience of 10+ years in the digital sector, we have developed a successful method to achieve the highest goals in the areas that matter: strategy, design and development.

Can you do web design?

We work on all types of digital products, from iOS and Android apps to webapps and complex platforms.
Furthermore, part of the team specializes in creating marketing websites, i.e. websites totally focused on promoting the product or services.

Do you also do branding or should I look for another agency?

Being a full-service agency, we also offer branding services such as naming and logo design. Among the products we create for our customers, the brand guidelines stand out, i.e. the detailed guidelines document for the corporate image. We are totally comfortable working on existing guidelines or in collaboration with a branding agency.

How much does it cost to entrust you with a digital project?

We like to always be as transparent as possible and we believe that talking openly about the budget is important to understand how to get added value from the partnership for both parties. Given this, since each customer has its own peculiarities and presents different challenges, we do not use a price list, but we invest time to understand the customer's reality well and provide a specific approach and an appropriate price.
Indicatively, the price of user experience and graphical interface design projects can vary in a range between €10,000 and €30,000, depending on various factors such as the client's needs and the complexity of the project.
The cost of the projects in area Branding is positioned between €5,000 and €15,000, always taking into account any possible peculiarities.
As regards the more technical part, the cost for the development of iOS and Android web and mobile apps ranges from €20,000 upwards .
Website development starts from a minimum of €10,000. Our average hourly rate for single consultations is €60 per hour.
If you want to get to know us better, you can schedule 30 minutes free by appointment.

Do you also work with early stage startups, therefore with limited resources?

Of course, we love startups! Over time we have met many enlightened and highly talented entrepreneurs.
We have invested in some startups, preferring work for equity. Our experience has always been positive, contributing to the achievement of various rounds of investments for a total value of over 30 million Euros.

In-car User interfaces: who does it better?