The Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI)

Press Release

Audi will be demonstrating its ideas on the future shape of interaction between man, machine and information technology, in the form of a pioneering working exhibit at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show. In doing this, it is anticipating the prospects for the customised networking of cars with the Internet. Infotainment is an artificial word used to denote forms of electronic information and entertainment. These include radio and CD, navigation systems, telephones and telematics. The general trend towards even greater mobility and communication means that the range of such functions is likewise continuing to expand. Digital radio, MP3 and DVD video are just three of many new options. However, operating the current range of functions has already reached a level of complexity that many users find off-putting. One of the main reasons is that the individual devices each have specific, distinctive display and operating concepts. The user is thus confronted with a confusing mass of interfaces. Whenever the driver wants to use a desired function - the reason for its very presence in the car - he has to go through a substantial learning process, which has to be repeated for every single device. The integration of yet more functions would result in overburdening him, thus potentially undermining road safety. This necessitates an entirely new form of operating concept, which will integrate ideally all the electronic systems in the vehicle, and thus significantly reduce the driver's workload. The progress that has been made in the field of network technology through the use of CAN-bus systems, MOST technology (media oriented systems transport) - an optical high-speed databus system with optical fibres - and the use of a high-performance computer unit for menu guidance constitute the technical boundary conditions. These permit the essential combining of the user interfaces for all components at one central point. The Audi Multi-Media-Interface (MMI), which will be on display at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, is based on these requirements. There was close coordination between ergonomics, technology and design throughout the development process. The outcome is a universal, customer-friendly interface design that uses a consistent operating logic. It uses touch, sight and sound, e.g. in the form of voice control, to allow the driver to handle information as efficiently as possible. 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. The Internet in the car In unveiling the MMI, Audi is also opening up a new chapter in automotive communication and information options. Through the Multi-Media Interface, the car becomes another element in the Internet. The challenge is to select and process the information that meets the specific requirements of a mobile user. The implementation of Internet technologies in the car thus systematically extends the existing basic range of telematics services such as traffic information retrieval and emergency calls, adding the new form of online services. These services provide automotive-specific applications via the Internet. The range may extend from the mobile office with Web and email connection to the online travel guide that can be networked with the car's navigation system. The technical basis for in-car Internet applications consists of standardised protocols and an HTML browser developed specially for automotive use; it is capable of representing images as well as texts. The functions for wireless communication are in turn grouped together in the telematics communications unit. Transmission methods such as GPRS and the forthcoming UMTS are responsible for establishing the connection between the terminal device in the vehicle and the Web. Access is via the Audi Online Portal, which assures a wireless, secure connection via the mobile communications network. A modern firewall concept reliably protects communication between the vehicle and the Audi portal against unauthorised manipulation. This enables customers to access data on the Web actively from the vehicle, for instance to transfer route recommendations to the vehicle's navigation system. The Audi portal site is designed as an information, mobility and communication platform. Its objective is to network the available information and integrate it into the vehicle electronics in such a way that driver and vehicle benefit to the full. This principle applies not just to the content, but also to the design of the user interface in particular: the ergonomics and presentation of the online service must be integrated into the overall operating concept. The operation of Internet-based applications is thus optimised for the MMI and its rotary controls/pushbuttons and softkeys. Large, easily legible fonts, relevant images and clear layouts for both daytime and nighttime use are among the specific requirements of in-car use. The system has further potential thanks to its scope for personalising. Every driver can configure his own profile of interests, and will then be supplied with personalised content. This facility can be further extended with the option of using the personalised profile independently of a specific vehicle. A driver can thus calculate a route on his home PC, and call it up the next day from a hire car. This handful of examples nevertheless serves to illustrate that Audi is looking to the future with system and vision. To a future that will see automotive technology enter a new dimension in the way in which it combines comfort, safety and individual mobility. The MMI exhibit at the Frankfurt Motor Show provides a foretaste of things to come.