Why In-Car Technology is So Bad and Why It's About to Get a Lot Better

“I think the next big thing is making it work,” said Tim Philippo, product strategy and cross car line manager at Jaguar Land Rover. He said what’s key going forward is “making a really good user experience,” one that’s cohesive and seamless, which is something that automakers have largely failed to deliver.

SEE ALSO: Many Consumers Don’t Understand Infotainment Systems

In the smartphone age where practically everyone is connected at all times, infotainment technology has really taken hold in our collective conscience. It’s also become a major purchase consideration for many drivers, particularly young ones.

But why has in-car infotainment technology been so disappointing? “Development times in the automotive industry are so much longer than consumer electronics,” said Philippo. It has to be tested and then tested again to ensure it’s safe and built to last for a decade or more.

“An automobile has to be able to start in International Falls, Minnesota at minus 40 degrees,” Philippo added. It also has to withstand sweltering summer heat in places like Dallas, Texas. For reasons like these, “We have to provide hardware that is incredibly robust,” he said. Will a Samsung Galaxy phone survive rigors like these? Can an iPad withstand the vibration and constant pounding a bumpy road serves up?

Fortunately with pervasive connectivity, over-the-air updates have become almost commonplace, giving drivers access to technology that’s more reliable, secure and feature laden. Because of this capability Philippo said, “You’re going to see us move a lot faster.”

The sky may be the limit when it comes to what infotainment systems will be able to do but not everyone wants to have their head in the clouds. Philippo said, “We will say ‘no’ to bad technology.” Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Infotainment Systems

Obviously something like a Morse code texting app or the ability to edit spreadsheets while driving is inappropriate. “If it’s not providing a good user experience we will abandon it quickly,” said Philippo. Focusing on what really adds value “is where the future of technology lies.”

While Google and Apple seem poised to take over the dashboard Philippo said, “There’s still room for embedded navigation and embedded infotainment in vehicles.” The example he gave was going for a short drive. If a motorist is just zipping around the block they may not want to bother plugging their phone into the car’s infotainment system. If they want to listen to music or see traffic on a map, embedded solutions are right there to help.

Check out our Tips and Advice Section.