The ongoing evolution and digitalization of the automotive industry are fostering greater complexity in the infotainment systems of modern vehicles. From choosing music to initiating Bluetooth calls, and from configuring comfort settings to programming the navigation system, the range of tasks executable while driving is undeniably expanding.
The V-Cockpit project, developed by the Institute of Information Systems and Networking (ISIN) and the Institute of Systems and Applied Electronics (ISEA) with the Swiss company Connecta Automotive Solutions, aims to transfer most of the design and validation phase of automotive infotainment systems into the virtual reality before the vehicle is commercialized.
“The idea is to recreate a 3D virtual environment that allows users to experience different forms of interaction with the infotainment system, from the parked car to driving in different environmental and traffic conditions,” explains Achille Peternier, Adjunct Professor at ISIN. “In this way, it is possible to identify potential issues or discrepancies from the early stages of system design, reducing time and costs for testing and product finalization."
The platform built supports the design of a new infotainment system during its different stages by offering tools for analyzing ergonomics, optimal screen or button placement, and identifying and reducing distractions through constant monitoring of the user's emotional state.
“Through special sensors, the driver's physiological data, such as heart rate variability, eye movements, breathing or muscle tension, are measured to sense the level of attention or stress while driving,” continues Michela Papandrea, Senior Lecturer-Researcher at ISIN. “Once saved, this data is analyzed through machine-learning models and reported on a dashboard allowing any corrections on the current infotainment system design directly from the user experience".
As part of the project, the ISEA Institute provided contributed to the interfacing of the virtual environment with the real hardware on which the infotainment software is installed and executed. This allows the user to verify the behavior and response of the developed system in situations increasingly similar to real-world conditions.
Indeed, Prof. Daniele Allegri, ISEA Director, points out that: “One of the main obstacles in solutions proposing emulations of complex electronic systems in virtual environments is to accurately replicate the responsiveness of the solutions adopted to optimize the electronics, matching the performance expectations of the software. By interfacing real hardware with the virtual environment, the user will be able to evaluate the performance of real systems and optimize solutions early in development, with important time and cost advantages.”
Roberta Martusciello, Engineer and General Manager of Connecta Automotive, hails the success of the two-year activity: “Thanks to collaborations with major automakers and Tier1, the project has enabled the development of Car-Infotainment solutions in a virtual environment, meeting both aesthetic expectations and safety regulations, while reducing costs and design time. Connecta plans to continue its collaboration with SUPSI on new technologies.”