What is In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI)?
Is there anything better than a long drive with your favorite music playing? Whether it’s the radio or your digital
collection, keeping you entertained on a journey is one of the most important things your car does. In the past,
that would have been a separate Cassette or CD player, but today, everything is digital.
That goes for your car too, which needs a wide range of controls for various technologies, such as driving modes,
satellite navigation (sat nav) and other essentials. By combining both into a single, centralized system, drivers
enjoy
quality entertainment and the ability to control all of the smart technology found on modern vehicles in a
single, user-friendly interface.
This can include:
Connects to vehicle technology — Your IVI system provides a simple user interface for
controlling technology such as Advanced Driver Assistance
Systems (ADAS) , V2X
(Vehicle-to-Everything)
connectivity, telematics devices and more. It
allows drivers to safely control all of these systems in an
intuitive, easily managed way.
Smartphone and Sensor Integration — The system can sync with your smartphone and a number of
sensor systems from different
vendors to allow for a seamless driver experience. You can control everything
from that single interface, and manage calls hands free, enhancing safety, including real time traffic
updates and other content.
Unique Driver Experiences — Because it is used to control everything from vehicle settings to
music you want to hear, even playing videos when the vehicle is stationary, the in-vehicle infotainment
system shapes your driver experience, giving manufacturers an important tool to differentiates themselves
from the competition.
Safety and Convenience — Providing easy access to the safety and comfort systems leaves drivers
less distracted, helping to improve driving standards are reduce accident numbers.
A modern In-Vehicle Infotainment system is much more than something to play your music on. Seamlessly integrated
into the vehicle systems and capable of connecting
with your phone and other systems, they allow you to manage all
aspects of the driving experience with ease.
How do In-Vehicle Infotainment systems work?
Each manufacturer takes a slightly different approach to the interface of their IVI solutions, with some being more
successful than others. However, they all share some basic underlying technology that powers these systems, and
these include:
Integrated Head unit — These days, this is almost always a large touchscreen of some sort
mounted into or on the dashboard. The goal is for a user-friendly interface, and it has the ability to
connect with phones, vehicle systems and the audio system. Here's 7 steps to
build your own .
Heads Up Display — While not every vehicle in a range will have it fitted, most IVI systems
include a head-up display option that puts
essential information such as speed and sat nav directions, right
in the drivers view through a projection system.
Advanced Processing with Quality Display — Using high end digital processors provides a
responsive, graphically attractive system that feels intuitive to use while maintaining clarity for precise
operations.
Operating System — Although interfaces are proprietary, most systems rely on proven, dependable
and secure operating systems such as Android,
Windows, Linux or QNX as they offer wider connectivity and
compatibility than a bespoke solution.
Network Protocol Support — Using standard networking protocols such as the Controller Area
Network (CAN) Bus protocols makes it much easier to connect the variety of devices that make up
vehicle systems today.
Connectivity — Being able to communicate both internally and externally are crucial to the
functionality of any IVI. With GPS , Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth modules to power sat nav, telematics systems , safety
systems, internet access and smartphone integration.
Sensors — At the heart of vehicle operations are a wide range of sensors that provide data for
parking camera systems, gesture control systems, collision detection and more, all
integrate seamlessly into the IVI.
Digital Instruments — Few modern vehicles still maintain analogue instruments, instead use
digital panels as part of the IVI system, often using a second screen. Offering at-a-glance views of speed,
engine temp, fuel or charge levels and so on, they take information directly from the ECU using the
OBD Port-II .
Together, all these different components and technologies are combined to deliver an all-in-one vehicle management,
entertainment and communications experience for drivers.
Brands that use In-Vehicle Entertainment
While IVI systems are so widely adopted it is almost impossible to find a modern vehicle without one, each
manufacturer does have a different take on the idea.
Manufacturer
Model
IVI Features
Special Notes
Tesla
Various Models
Extensive touchscreen system, live traffic navigation, Spotify streaming
Pioneering in advanced IVI technology
BMW
Latest Series
Advanced IVI with interactive displays, connectivity options
Focuses on driver-centric technology
Mercedes
High-end Models
State-of-the-art IVI with intuitive controls, luxury features
Combines luxury with cutting-edge technology
Audi
Select Models
High-resolution displays, MNI touch response system
Known for user-friendly interfaces and sleek design
Volvo
XC Series
Sensus Connect with large touchscreen, integration with cloud services
Emphasizes safety and ease of use
Ford
Various Models
SYNC system with AppLink, voice control
Offers wide app compatibility and user convenience
As we can see from the table above, while the concept of an IVI is the same, each manufacturer creates their own
unique approach that delivers very different user experiences.
The Evolution of In-Vehicle Entertainment
As vehicles have developed, the ability to integrate smart technology has been essential to
advancements in
performance and capabilities, and it is the in-Vehicle Infotainment system, providing a user-friendly interface,
that has been the key to those advances.
Revolutionizing what a vehicle can do, and how drivers interact with every more complex control systems, the IVI is
at the heart of the transformation of the driving experience, and will continue to empower new smart technologies
that continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.
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