Not all technologies improve car experience

Os cars are getting more and more technological. From assisted and even automated driving functions to infoentertainment screens, resources multiply. But does everyone really improve user experience?

A study conducted in the United States by JD Power indicates that there are, in fact, technologies that are considered an added value – they win among car users without problems. They are the case of resources that do not require driver attention or active intervention such as smart ignition, driving preferences and intelligent climate control.

The case changes its figure when talking about autonomous driving systems, with respondents considering that Level 2+ “no better overall experience” than Level 2although they have slightly less problems.

Second read in summary report the results suggest, in the words of JD Power Doron Hikry, that the owners can currently be more comfortable with systems that clearly assist the driver instead of those that introduce a higher degree of automation“.

Although they are not yet widely common, on-board displays for passengers are increasingly present – particularly in premium cars. But they do not seem to be well received: the study reveals that 35 percent of the owners of these vehicles revealed that they never tried to use the passenger screen and only six percent always use them.

In addition to being relatively little used, passenger screens also appear to be linked to “higher rates of problems in the information-entertainment system”.

Doron Hikry commented: “Smart ignition and smart climate control make everyday driving easier without requiring the driver’s attention, while more automation and extra screens do not necessarily translate into better experience. [...]. The features that solve real problems without adding effort or stress to the driver are the ones that please customers the most“.