Automotive dashboard components have undergone a massive technological revolution in the recent past. One of the main drivers for this change is the increasing amount of digital content that’s being accessed from within the vehicle.
Information gathered from the internet for entertainment, road traffic monitoring data obtained from satellites, and transmission of vehicle location data to the cloud are some of the examples of data transmission from/to the modern vehicle.
The digital gauge cluster is part of the car dashboard electronics, and it provides information to the driver in a timely manner. This enables the driver to enjoy a safe and stress-free journey.
So, what type of information is displayed on the digital gauge cluster?
The digital gauge cluster displays various types of vehicle information and passenger comfort information to enable the driver to enjoy a stress-free ride. Some of the data displayed on the cluster include vehicle speed, charge or fuel level, safety warnings, external temperature, air vent control, etc. Advanced digital instrument clusters also allow Bluetooth connectivity with the driver’s smartphone and facilitate hands-free calling and audio playback.
How Do Gauge Clusters Work?
The modern vehicle has a large number of ECUs and sensors spread across the vehicle body. The digital instrument cluster collects the required vehicle data from specific ECUs and sensors via communication networks such as CAN, Ethernet, LIN, etc.
This information is then decoded and transformed into a format that the driver can interpret easily. The data is displayed on the digital gauge cluster screen in a timely and distraction-free manner.
Modern Digital Gauge Clusters are Loaded with Advanced Features. Let’s Explore
It’s fascinating to see the advancements in modern digital gauge clusters. Let’s explore how the cluster is elevating in-vehicle user experience to a whole new level!
Advanced HMI with adaptive information display – The HMI displays have rich 2D or 3D graphics and can be adapted dynamically based on the driving conditions. For instance, if the vehicle is in adaptive cruise control mode, the digital instrument cluster display can prioritise and show a visualisation of the vehicle in its lane, with other vehicles in adjacent lanes.
Let’s look at another scenario. If the vehicle is in a remote location, where the driver is finding it difficult to navigate, the cluster can display the complete map of the surroundings. This kind of flexibility enables better personalisation that eventually enhances driver experience.
Advanced navigation assistance – Digital gauge clusters integrated with advanced navigation features are becoming quite common these days. Such systems display real-time traffic information, turn-by-turn directions, and locations of interest to the driver.
Augmented Reality (AR) based Head-Up Displays (HUDs) – Some auto manufacturers have introduced advanced 3D display digital instrument clusters that use a driver-facing camera to track their line of sight. It then overlays information directly in front of the driver, so that they can see warning signs on the windshield, along with other graphics. Information displayed by the HUD usually includes vehicle speed, safety warnings, and directions for navigation.
FOTA update – Over-the-air firmware/software update is another prominent feature of modern digital instrument clusters or e-cockpits. The FOTA update feature enables the introduction of new software features or enhances existing firmware, over the air.
These firmware updates are orchestrated via the cloud at specific times scheduled by the auto OEMs. The update packages are automatically downloaded from the cloud and installed on the cluster when the vehicle is in specific driving modes.
Enhanced safety – Modern clusters display driver assistance and safety data such as lane-keeping directions, adaptive cruise control information, blind-spot alerts, etc. Vehicle health information such as tire pressure, engine diagnostics, and maintenance alerts can also be communicated to the driver.
In some luxury vehicles, the cluster displays night vision camera feed to augment nighttime driving safety.
The system decides what kind of information needs to be conveyed to the driver for nighttime driving. Then, it displays this info on the cluster screen in a timely manner. A large amount of data can be presented based on need, as the UI graphics can change dynamically to display individual parameters.
The cluster display is designed in such a way that the information is presented in an easy-to-read format with good resolution. All these features ensure greater focus and minimised driver distraction.
Cloud connectivity and smartphone integration – Most modern digital gauge clusters support smartphone integration platforms such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This enables drivers to access their phone apps and enjoy music from their phones directly. They can also receive call/message notifications and make outgoing calls from the cluster screen.
Voice and gesture control – Apart from touchscreen control, some digital instrument clusters allow voice and gesture control for interactions with the driver. This takes the user experience up a notch, as there is no need for physical buttons or touchscreens. The driver can give instructions to the vehicle system with minimal distraction.
Eco-driving feedback – Digital gauge clusters can provide feedback on the driver’s road behaviour to help them improve their driving. Alerts are displayed when there is hard braking or untimely acceleration. The cluster can be configured to provide eco-driving feedback to optimise fuel efficiency and minimise emissions as well.
Apart from the features described above, some of the notable attributes of modern digital gauge clusters are – Curved displays, OLED screens with anti-glare coating to enhance brightness, optimised power management for cluster and camera, and quick cluster start-up.
Auto OEMs are also setting the dashboard lower so that the driver enjoys improved cluster visibility.
Are Retro Gauges Making a Comeback?
In some EV models, OEMs are introducing retro gauge designs for their digital instrument clusters to mimic the analog gauges of their retro cars. This is a fresh attempt to showcase the best of their heritage while also giving a throwback gauge cluster experience for drivers.
Recently, Volkswagen unveiled their ID. 2all concept car, an affordable electric vehicle that combines top technology with fantastic design. The car exhibited a retro digital gauge option that mimics a classic Volkswagen Beetle’s analog gauge. The retro vibe of the gauges takes the user back in time and creates a novel experience.
Connected Digital Cockpit – The Next-Gen Car Dashboard is Here!
The latest advancement in dashboard electronics is the digital cockpit or e cockpit that brings together interfaces like the cluster, infotainment system, Heads-up Display and HVAC onto a single platform.
It offers a unified digital experience to the user by banishing the silos between various vehicle interfaces.
When in silos, the infotainment system, instrument cluster and HVAC systems are powered by individual ECUs. The automotive industry’s move towards ECU consolidation triggered the development of digital cockpit solutions, wherein all the different interfaces are powered by a common micro-controller/System on Chip (SoC) platform. From the auto OEM’s perspective, this has immensely reduced the complexity of these systems.
The cluster module of the e cockpit consolidates vehicle information such as speed, distance travelled, fuel level or charge (in EVs), engine coolant status, external temperature, collision warning, tire pressure monitoring, and more. It also interacts with the in-vehicle infotainment module and enables the driver to browse through their address book, initiate phone calls, access multimedia, or open navigation apps.
Investing in a custom-designed digital cockpit solution is the most optimum approach for auto OEMs to benefit from long-term stability and control of the software and hardware components.
Watch this space for more articles on trends in the realm of automotive technology!
