Next Volkswagen infotainment system to use capacitive touchscreens, proximity sensors

[NewsFeed]

The next Volkswagen Golf will be chock-full of standard and optional technology features, but its all-new Modular Infotainment System has the potential to set a new benchmark for both high-end and entry-level navigation, entertainment and connectivity.

Three new systems will be available when the 2013 Golf goes on sale in Europe towards the end of this year, starting with a five-inch touchscreen and moving up to a 5.8-inch unit and finally a range-topping eight-inch system. Each unit will be equipped with a capacitive touchscreen, with the eight-inch version packing an 800x450 resolution screen, multitouch functionality and the same NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor set to debut in future Audi models, including the next A3. Making use of that high-powered chipset will be revamped 3D graphics for menus and mapping, with free nav updates available for three years and the ability to activate additional features after the initial vehicle purchase.

Handwriting recognition will also be included in the system, much like the system already offered by Audi, which will allow users to skip the soft keyboard and write out destinations and point-of-interest searches. Additionally, VW is looking to include MirrorLink functionality (which essentially mirrors your phone's screen on the navigation display), as expected, Internet-connectivity through smartphone tethering will be an option, along with the ability to create a WLAN hotspot.

Finally, VW tells Autoblog it plans to integrate proximity sensors into the head unit - similar to Cadillac's CUE system - switching over from "display mode" to "operating mode" when it detects the driver or passenger's hand moving towards the screen. The proximity sensors could also detect which side of the screen your hand is placed and then highlight specific features for easier selection.

Naturally, pricing for each system won't be released until the Golf goes on sale in Europe this fall and hits the U.S. sometime in 2013, but VW representatives made it clear that these systems will be priced aggressively in order to compete with other feature-rich competitors.Next Volkswagen infotainment system to use capacitive touchscreens, proximity sensors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012

[Turbo Lag]

All they need to do now is install the Xbox connect so the kids in the back can jump around while i'm trying to drive.

[chittychittybangbang]

I'll have to throw my RNS-510 into the trash This looks awesome.

Seriously though, I do have some concerns about these new systems.

1. Safety. This is always the biggest concern since a nice car doesn't matter if you're dead. Touchscreens require much more "head down" time than a button based system to operate because you have to look where you're touching and there's no feedback from a clicking dial, etc. I hope they include haptic feedback, like a buzzer or something to let you know that you've touched a button and that the system has responded. Right now there's only a beep and it's not instant. There's a tiny delay.

The deeper and complex contextual menus make the head down time even worse since you now have more to look at. Having owned both the RNS 315 and RNS 510, I can say that the dial interface and contextual hard buttons on the 315 are MUCH easier to use. Audi's armrest knob is just better.

Other than concentrating on safe driving, the best alternative is an augmented reality HUD - something that overlays a display where your eyes are focused so that you don't look away from the road.

Before people jump on this and say that YOU are good at multitasking and that this concern is overblown, according to the DOT 16% of fatal crashes involve distractions and there's around 500,000 injuries and deaths/year in crashes involving distraction. There are very very few people who can multitask.

2. Compatibility. The trend in integrated infotainment is hurting aftermarket systems. If you remove the radio you take away a bunch of other features. Also, what happens when your car is 15 years old and the bluetooth or whatever is no longer compatible with what you have now?