'Casual interface' is a new, less formal approach to HMI design
Human to machine relationships have always been pragmatic and formal, but this is changing in cars with new interfaces that are frictionless and fun - casual even!
The human-machine interaction (HMI) in cars has always been purely instructional and step-based (do this to affect a function, then do that to affect another function) which has defined the relationship as pragmatic and formal. Users only interacted with their car when they needed to affect something, and given that ultimately in a car the HMI can lead to the death of the user, it’s always been a serious matter. Until now.
Today’s digital user interfaces (UI) now give frictionless access to many features that sit far beyond controlling the car, and with this are bringing an informality to the relationship between user and machine.
What the user is seeking to do with their in-car interaction is changing in two core ways: no longer are they solely or directly controlling the vehicle but they are triggering automated and intelligent ways this will happen, and they are accessing more infotainment features and services (to watch a film, to game, to relax etc) too.
And, as well as what car users are getting their cars to do changing, the nature of their interaction is changing too. Starting with the introduction of screen based UI designs, and continuing with the adoption of voice, gesture and projected forms of interface, customers now more fleetingly and quickly access features which is making the step-by-step processes redundant (they increasingly feel old fashioned too). UI design is also increasingly less about clarity and more about expression, Virtual Personal Assistants are increasingly using friendly or cute characters or animations, and in-car sound design is becoming more about brand and less about relaying information. Informality is cropping up everywhere in the car HMI — interface design is becoming more casual.
This new form of ‘casual interface’ design reflects the different type of value customer — particularly in China — derive from their cars, the shifting role of the car, and the way that technology is enabling more emotive user-experience. Casual interface design is here for the long haul.
