The Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI)

Press Release

The controls and displays An immediately apparent characteristic feature is the remote control concept where the displays and controls are not positioned together. This affords the advantage that the monitor screens are positioned within the primary field of view, and that the control panel is located ergonomically within immediate reach. The entire MMI operating unit is located between the gear lever and the centre armrest; thanks to the driver's armrest position, he is always able to operate the controls reliably from a comfortable seated position. The driver has direct access to all main functions via eight permanently assigned hardkeys, to assure rapid, accurate access. The main functions of the hardkeys are divided thematically into pairs representing four groups: Entertainment covers all audio-visual sources, such as radio, CD, TV, DVD and digital radio. Communication groups together all Internet and telephone functions. A further pair of keys combines the navigation and telematics menus in the Information group. The fourth pair constitutes the Control sub-group, with the car and setup keys. Within each individual main function, the four most important subsidiary functions can be called up via four softkeys, depending on the context, which are grouped around the central pushbutton/rotary control. The latter serves as the principal element for selecting and activating all functions. The four corners of the screen in the main display indicate the current function of the softkeys. However, the total number of keys is kept to a minimum, as the keys concentrate on the essential functions: MMI keeps the driving area neat, heralding an end to the situation where there are different elements scattered all around the car. This economical approach to operating elements is mirrored by a flat menu structure. The structure of the menu corresponds to what the user expects, and information can be found rapidly. Frequently used menus can either be accessed directly via the eight hardkeys or via a straightforward procedure via the menu levels, using the softkeys. The more frequently a function is required, the more direct access to it is. Functions that are rarely needed are deeper down in the menu structure. So that the user is readily able to grasp the parallels between the spatially separate control element and display, the design of the control element corresponds to that of the display. When operating the system, the driver easily finds his way round thanks to the visual analogies and colour-coding. To project information, there are two high-resolution displays in the driver's primary field of view: a seven-inch monitor on the upper end of the centre console, and a second colour display at the centre of the instrument cluster. True to good Audi practice, the display in the instrument cluster shows only information that is of relevance to the driver, such as on-board computer calculations, navigation instructions or cruise control information. The driver has the choice of operating the system's basic functions via a rotary selector in the multifunctional steering wheel; this enables the driver to keep his hands on the steering wheel, thus further minimising the risk of being distracted from the traffic situation. If desired, the basic infotainment functions such as radio station selection, volume adjustment and phone number selection can be accessed from here. The colour display in the instrument cluster follows the same design principle as the seven-inch central monitor screen. The driver consequently does not need to adjust mentally when switching his gaze from one display unit to the other.