As autonomous vehicles become increasingly common, the entire in-vehicle setup is undergoing a significant transformation. The days of basic dashboard instrument clusters and steering wheel controls as the main components of automotive human-machine interface (HMI) are a thing of the past. Modern vehicles now boast advanced features such as voice recognition systems, digital interfaces, smartphone-connected in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, and head-up displays (HUDs).
This evolution in automotive HMIs shows no signs of slowing down. With the impending increase in fully autonomous vehicles, the traditional in-car setup centered around the steering wheel and driver’s viewing angle will become obsolete. This opens up numerous possibilities for the in-car space, making the HMI experience a crucial aspect to consider. In fact, the HMI experience is no longer being compared to other vehicles, but rather to popular entertainment platforms like Netflix and Amazon.
It is evident that automotive HMI is taking centre stage in the development of modern vehicles. Ensuring the HMI experience is excellent is now the key to gaining a commercial advantage and leading the way in the era of software-defined vehicles. As the significance of HMI continues to increase, so does the importance of HMI testing.
One of the major challenges in this domain is to ensure that every vehicle has a user-friendly and intuitive HMI interface that is consistent across different brands. Every brand must also deliver a unique user experience that reflects its identity. This becomes particularly challenging as the average number of screens per vehicle is expected to increase, contributing to the complexity of HMI designs. Moreover, the lack of standardized UI design protocols for automotive HMIs poses an additional challenge.
Testing automotive HMIs becomes more complicated considering that vehicles are expected to seamlessly interact with popular platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as various third-party apps from users’ smartphones. In higher-end vehicles, there is a need to balance the familiar look and feel of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with the brand’s unique identity.
The automotive industry is embracing new ways of working, and with software-defined vehicles leading the way, the traditional testing methods are becoming less effective. As cars become increasingly reliant on software, it is crucial to adopt an agile and continuous integration approach similar to other industries. This is where the need for automated testing becomes apparent.
Enter Keysight’s Eggplant, which revolutionizes HMI testing by automating functional, regression, and UI testing tasks. This innovative solution uses computer vision, robotic process automation, and AI-driven testing to simulate real user journeys and automate testing, reducing test time and increasing test coverage. Eggplant enables engineers to conduct testing 24/7, while freeing up time for the design of new test cases and scripts.
The power of Keysight and Eggplant technology has already been recognized by some of the largest automotive manufacturers worldwide. It is clear that with the rise of self-driving vehicles, the role of automotive HMI testing is more important than ever, ensuring the seamless integration of advanced features and a user experience that is both familiar and unique.
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