What if you could have all your favorite music, apps, and technology in your vehicle, all while keeping safe on the road? Microsoft is working on just that.
According to their website, the Windows Embedded team is well-in to enhancing drivers’ road experience. “With more than ten years in the automotive space, and deep, longstanding relationships with automakers including Ford, Fiat, Nissan, and Kia, Microsoft is invested in helping car manufacturers and suppliers connect drivers with a range of devices and services.”
Jay Loney, Principal Program Manager Lead and his team focuses on the “Updateable Car” principle. “Today’s consumer realizes that when they pull their phone out, they plug it in and it updates itself. They come to expect it. I think that this expectation that’s coming through with your average consumer is extended to the buying experience of the car as well,” Loney said.
But how do you integrate technology into the driving experience without comprising safety?
David Kelley, Partner Development Manager with the Windows Embedded Automotive Team is dedicated to minimizing distractions on the road. “It is important that we provide an environment in the car that is distraction-free so they can focus on driving and not these other things.” Kelley studies and observes users as they drive at the Portland International Raceway to discover what distracts them and what’s key to a safe driving experience.
User Experience Designer David Walker thinks safety is at the forefront of Microsoft’s design and is working on the team’s “Glanceable Design” principle. “There are some exciting developments in technology that I think will improve safety in the future. One of them is the Heads-Up Display (HUD) technology—where we can get a focal plane for the visuals that would normally be in the console, all right out in front of the driver, far away enough, yet crystal clear. So, it will be easy for them to shift focus from the HUD to look back at the road.”
To learn more about Microsoft’s Windows Embedded automotive team and their work, check out their website: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/windows-embedded-automotive-7.aspx.
The future is bright for the Connected Car—so sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.