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Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

automotivelinux.org

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Re: Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

#71

Post by djsumdog »

tzs wrote: post #60
b1daly wrote: post #48

This just reminded me of my personal pet "first world problem." The move from hardware based interfaces to touch screen interfaces is an astonishing regression in usability. Older car "audio" systems could be controlled with simple knob and button interfaces. This would allow the user to fine tune the audio playback, as well as find radio stations, without having to look at the device. Asside from picking the music,…

Worse, I believe some cars are now doing this with almost all of the controls, not just the entertainment system controls. Controls I want to operate without looking at them: fan, temperature, air routing, defrost, windshield wipers, high beams, turn signals.

I was surprised with a friend's Jeep where the seat warmers were in the touch screen interface. Really? On my old 2003 wagon, they were just dials.

Re: Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

#73

Post by crispyambulance »

sircastor wrote: post #26

Infotainment system developer here, A number of people have mentioned preferring/wanting Android Auto/CarPlay in their infotainment systems, and that it would be preferable to many of the systems that exist in current vehicles. I have a couple of thoughts. The Infotainment system is one of the most user-facing components of the vehicle. It's something that can reflect the brand identity of the vehicle, and most OEMs…

    > there are a lot of systems that people don't like because they never took the time to figure out how to use them. Cars aren't like phones. When you're in them, you're most likely driving and you don't have the bandwidth to figure out how to do something as well as drive.
Yes, it takes time to get used to the dash and this is why I dread car rentals.

I have to rent cars regularly and each one is a chore to figure out, especially at night after a flight when I just want to get moving with headlights on and a little music. Sometimes I feel like taking a picture of the damn things because they're so comically counter-intuitive.

Re: Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

#74

Post by hpcjoe »

b1daly wrote: post #48

This just reminded me of my personal pet "first world problem." The move from hardware based interfaces to touch screen interfaces is an astonishing regression in usability. Older car "audio" systems could be controlled with simple knob and button interfaces. This would allow the user to fine tune the audio playback, as well as find radio stations, without having to look at the device. Asside from picking the music,…

Most of my rental cars now use touch screen interface. Elsewhere in this page, a developer complained that we "just don't take the time to learn what we need to."

No.

Just ... no.

A critical control system should be simple, able to be used without taking one's eyes off the wheel/road.

Any control system (atmosphere, lights, defroster, wipers, ...) that requires you to remove your attention from the road in order to operate a touch screen interface with a generally terrible UI/UX is BROKEN. And dangerous to boot.

This is what I find now in many (not all, but the majority) of my rentals.

Want to turn on defroster (which is usually a snap decision as the rear window is getting foggy/frosty)? You have to navigate a screen. Not push a single button.

Want to turn down the radio? Now you have to navigate MULTIPLE screens to find the O(&^*&^$^$&^& control pane for the radio, and shut it off.

And so on.

This is not progress.

This is risk.

Pardon my pun, but someone is asleep at the wheel here. These control and interface systems are inherently broken, by not being as simple as possible.

Re: Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

#75

Post by kalleboo »

yial wrote: post #14
rothbardrand wrote: post #7

I've been a loyal toyota buyer for over 30 years. But I will not buy another car, unless it has first class CarPlay support. (and it should support the android equivalent as well) Having to interact with the phone while driving is a safety problem and Apple (and presumably android too) delivered a great solution several years ago-- no excuse for not implementing it. Especially given that auto makers really suck at th…

Almost flippant based on the issue with the car mount, I have a 2013 Infiniti g37x, and where the gps/ touch screen is they have a circular dial. If I put my phone over the built in screen, the dial holds it in place perfectly. Better then any mount I’ve owned. Funny how that works out. (I’m agreeing that car mounts suck, and car play is amazing in the cars I’ve been in that have it )

Our in-laws car has a screen that flips down to let you put a minidisc(!) in or replace the navigation DVD. That flip-down tray makes for a perfect phone stand.

Re: Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

#76

Post by ENOTTY »

sircastor wrote: post #26

Infotainment system developer here, A number of people have mentioned preferring/wanting Android Auto/CarPlay in their infotainment systems, and that it would be preferable to many of the systems that exist in current vehicles. I have a couple of thoughts. The Infotainment system is one of the most user-facing components of the vehicle. It's something that can reflect the brand identity of the vehicle, and most OEMs…

What's the point of contributing feedback to the manufacturer if I will never see the result of that feedback because updates cost an arm and a leg?

Re: Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

#77

Post by virtualized »

neogodless wrote: post #68
phkahler wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Totally agree. My car radio still has 10 station preset buttons that are very easy to access along with next/prev buttons on the steering wheel. My wife care has a touch screen where only 4 stations are shown at a time and you need to push/touch extra to scroll through the list. None of it has dedicated buttons, so it's a lot of looking and poking around. Not appropriate at all for a driver. Exceedingly poor UI desig…

The worst I've seen for presets is in GM's implementation. You first have to touch a tiny "up" arrow in the bottom right of the screen, and then you have five touch presets along the bottom. Madness!

For some reason most people like bad user interfaces by default. They randomly decide on a layout and are immediately too proud to consider anything else.

Re: Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

#78

Post by notyourday »

sircastor wrote: post #26

Infotainment system developer here, A number of people have mentioned preferring/wanting Android Auto/CarPlay in their infotainment systems, and that it would be preferable to many of the systems that exist in current vehicles. I have a couple of thoughts. The Infotainment system is one of the most user-facing components of the vehicle. It's something that can reflect the brand identity of the vehicle, and most OEMs…

> I also think there are a lot of systems that people don't like because they never took the time to figure out how to use them.

This is 2017. If I need to "take my time to figure out how to use it", it is completely and utterly broken.

Re: Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

#79

Post by yock »

b1daly wrote: post #48

This just reminded me of my personal pet "first world problem." The move from hardware based interfaces to touch screen interfaces is an astonishing regression in usability. Older car "audio" systems could be controlled with simple knob and button interfaces. This would allow the user to fine tune the audio playback, as well as find radio stations, without having to look at the device. Asside from picking the music,…

The steering wheel controls in my Volvo (from 2006!) are excellent. I have an aftermarket Bluetooth device from Grom Audio which allows me to control playback on my phone from the controls on my steering wheel. It really is the best of both worlds.

Re: Automotive Grade Linux Platform Debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry

#80

Post by InitialLastName »

DKnoll wrote: post #53
sircastor wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I absolutely love our 2017 Mini Infotainment system. It's not perfect by any means (It's BMWs), but I find that it meets all my needs, is very fast and responsive. Not sure where you are, but here it's illegal to drive with headphones.

Even if it's legal it's a terrible idea.

As a non-car road user, I'm with you. mark212, please don't do this. You're making the world a more dangerous place for everyone, with (extremely limited) benefits only to yourself.
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