From virtual cockpit to virtual dashboard

There is no doubt about it, as digitalisation and the tide of virtual everything showers us with change in everyday life, it’s in the midst of redefining the properties of the car as we know it today. The e-tron quattro concept car gives a clear indication and spells out the interior dna of the next generation of audi models and the impacts it will have on the driver’s habitat. as far as future technologies are concerned, the emphasis is on a command centre operating evermore precisely and at lightning speed. Using OLEd technology throughout, the audi Virtual cockpit introduced in the new audi TT less than two years ago, will be further enhanced, accompanied by two more displays in the centre console and turning the whole set-up into what audi likes to call its audi Virtual dashboard, basically taking care of any information relevant to driving. as hudi puts it: ‘We are presenting an entirely new world of experience to our customers. Our goal is to create a seamless connected experience.’ a prominent outcome will be an ever-more personalised car, as the entire system will get to know its user with his or her habits and preferences, even their health data. ‘On the basis of data, cloud technology and new business models as major drivers of innovation, we will create an eco-system around our core product,’ hudi tells us.

So, what exactly is new in the concept car? Each of the three displays offers different services. The audi virtual cockpit now has a curved screen, using active Matrix Organic Light Emitting technology (aMOLEd), which in conjunction with the multifunction steering wheel presents all key information and offers tremendous freedom in shaping the display according to one’s preferences. But wait, there’s more, the centre console demonstrates further developed haptic feedback to take care of all aspects of infotainment, navigation, air-conditioning and other services. There will be two touchscreens for this, geared towards satisfying our essential creature comforts while driving, and as audi is quick to point out, this so-called ‘audi MMi touch response can be operated with minimum distraction.’ no more buttons. instead, everything in future is available at the touch of a screen. The upper display mainly provides classic infotainment content such as navigation and media and other configurable favourites, but get this – it will even recognize the driver’s handwriting. With its intelligent messages and personalised content, the fully digital implementation of the audi operating concept becomes the driver’s out-of-office personal assistant