Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems and displays that enhance user experience by providing navigation, entertainment, and critical information. However, these systems come with unique safety challenges, ranging from distraction risks to hardware failures. This blog explores the safety of in-vehicle entertainment and displays.
Why?
Why Is In-Vehicle Infotainment and Display Safety Important?
As IVI systems become integral to the driving experience, ensuring their safety is paramount for both drivers and passengers.
Minimizing Driver Distraction:
Displays that overload drivers with information or poorly designed interfaces can divert attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents.
Distraction-related crashes are a leading cause of road fatalities globally.
Hardware and Software Reliability:
Malfunctioning systems may display incorrect navigation data or fail to provide critical alerts.
Glitches in touchscreens or voice interfaces could prevent effective operation during emergencies.
Cybersecurity:
IVI systems are often connected to external networks (e.g., phones, cloud services), making them vulnerable to hacking.
Unauthorized access could compromise vehicle control systems, posing significant safety threats.
Passenger Safety:
Displays used by passengers, especially rear-seat entertainment systems, must be securely mounted to prevent injury during sudden stops or collisions.
What?
What Are the Key Safety Concerns for IVI Systems?
1. Driver Distraction and Ergonomics
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Design:
Poorly designed interfaces that require excessive focus or complex actions increase distraction risks.
Visual Overload:
Displaying too much information simultaneously can overwhelm drivers.
2. Hardware and Functional Safety
Component Failures:
Displays, touchscreens, and sensors may fail or provide incorrect data if not properly designed.
Power Management:
Displays must not drain vehicle battery excessively or malfunction during power fluctuations.
3. Software and Cybersecurity Risks
System Crashes:
Bugs or incomplete testing could cause critical features like navigation or alert systems to fail.
Unauthorized Access:
Hacking could exploit vulnerabilities in connected systems, potentially affecting braking, steering, or other essential functions.
4. Physical Safety
Display Mounting:
Poorly secured screens may become projectiles during accidents.
Material Safety:
Materials used in displays must be non-toxic and shatterproof to prevent injuries.
How?
How to Ensure Safety in IVI Systems and Displays
Achieving safety in IVI systems requires a combination of good design practices, rigorous testing, and adherence to industry standards.
1. Design for Safety and Usability
Ergonomic Interfaces:
Use intuitive designs that allow drivers to access essential functions with minimal distraction.
Implement voice control and heads-up displays (HUDs) to reduce visual focus on screens.
Prioritize Critical Information:
Display essential information like navigation and alerts prominently while minimizing less critical content.
Example:
A HUD projecting navigation cues directly onto the windshield keeps drivers’ eyes on the road.
2. Build Robust Hardware
Fail-Safe Designs:
Incorporate redundancy in critical functions (e.g., dual systems for essential alerts).
Use components that can withstand extreme temperatures, vibrations, and electromagnetic interference.
Secure Mounting:
Ensure screens are firmly attached using crash-tested mechanisms to prevent detachment during collisions.
Example:
A rear-seat display designed with a shatterproof screen and secure mounting minimizes risks during sudden stops.
3. Implement Cybersecurity Measures
Secure Connections:
Use encrypted communication protocols for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and internet connections.
Update Management:
Enable over-the-air updates to patch vulnerabilities and improve system performance.
Network Isolation:
Separate IVI systems from critical vehicle control networks to prevent cascading failures in case of hacking.
Example:
A car with IVI systems isolated from brake and steering controls ensures that even if the infotainment system is hacked, critical functions remain unaffected.
4. Conduct Comprehensive Testing
Functional Safety Testing:
Test systems for compliance with standards like ISO 26262 to ensure safe operation under all conditions.
Usability Testing:
Assess interfaces for ease of use and minimal distraction in real-world driving scenarios.
Example:
An IVI system validated for compliance with ISO 26262 ensures its alerts function correctly, even during system faults.
5. Regulatory Compliance
Follow industry standards for functional safety, reliability, and cybersecurity:
ISO 26262: Functional safety of electrical and electronic systems in vehicles.
ISO 21448 (SOTIF): Safety of the intended functionality, focusing on misuse and edge cases.
UNECE WP.29 R155: Cybersecurity requirements for vehicles.
Conclusion
In-vehicle entertainment and displays significantly enhance the driving experience, but they must be designed with safety as a priority. By addressing key risks like driver distraction, hardware failures, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities, manufacturers can create systems that are both engaging and safe. Adhering to established safety standards and implementing robust testing ensures these systems protect users and enhance the driving experience without compromise.