This month, SBD has carried out a UX evaluation of the China market Weltmeister EX5 infotainment system 'Living Engine' as part of the Connected Car UX Evaluation series of reports. We were also able to take the opportunity to preview the new Android Automotive system in the Polestar 2, which made for an interesting comparison. We will be evaluating this system in full next year following its launch. A number of similarities are evident: both cars are EVs with Android-based systems, each of which demonstrates an innovative UI approach - one design-led, the other somewhat more conservative.
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The Polestar 2 EV is set to be the first car to launch with Android Automotive when it goes on sale next year. The driver’s phone is used as a key to access the car and the system launches when the driver’s seat senses a driver. The instrument cluster is intended to show immediate information to the driver, while the central display shows less critical content. Featuring a large portrait orientation display, the central screen is divided into four main user selected tiles (in the example Maps, consumption, phone and Spotify) each containing a link to the app, summary information (e.g. duration, distance and arrival time for navigation) and shortcuts to common tasks as well as the ability to swipe to see further apps in that tile if configured. Along the bottom of the screen is a permanent HVAC panel, and four shortcuts are provided along the top for cameras, a full app list, user profile and car settings. Apps run in the main screen area occupied by the four tiles and the system offers fast and generally accurate voice recognition which can control vehicle settings in addition to standard system functions. Maps has integration for estimated remaining battery charge at the end of a route (taking account of live traffic) and can show all charging stations on the way.
SBD says - From initial impressions, the system appears fast, stable and quick to learn, although SBD has concerns over some elements - such as the prioritisation of user profiles (which is likely not to see significant use compared to the other apps), some hidden functionality, a high level of clutter on the home screen and a lack of harmonisation, for example between the core system and the car configuration screens which appear to be closer in design to the previous Sensus system.
Initially the Weltmeister (WM) demonstrates a similar configuration to Android Automotive, the user can enter the car using their phone as the key and the driver’s seat senses the driver. The screen is also similar: tablet-style in portrait configuration, although this can auto-rotate to landscape for media viewing. The most significant difference is the interface: rather than the staid square tiles, the WM’s screen is mostly bubbles. The main menu shows three large bubbles containing a main link, each with several smaller child bubbles attached, containing related tasks or context sensitive suggestions. Despite the significant difference in design, these are very similar in function to the tiles of Android Automotive. The bottom left corner of the screen when pressed expands to show all other options, again in bubble format. The WM features biometric identification of the driver using a camera for passive login (failing that, a QR code can be used) which can also link the user to other 3rd party accounts.
SBD says - The system is impressive and gives the feeling of a futuristic interface. However, hardware quality leaves room for improvement both in terms of perceived quality and processor capability, as the system exhibits significant lag, particularly in navigation. Overall, it feels like many other China market systems – highly capable but suffering from an aggressive de-speccing process which has had a negative impact on the performance, quality, and overall UX and perception of the product.