Tampere University leads research in future car user interfaces
Information at the right time and in the right form – supported by AI technology
Modern cars are quickly turning into computers on wheels. Present cars already include assistive functions such as lane keeping and collision warnings. Fully autonomous cars are still years ahead, but they are already usable in limited environments. Advances in AI, smart materials, displays, and sensor systems will bring dozens of novel functions into our cars within the next few years.
“Modern cars collect huge amounts of information that is useful to their drivers,” notes Professor Roope Raisamo, AMICI consortium leader from Tampere University. “The problem is that people can be overloaded with too much information. Therefore, new car functions and their user interfaces must be designed so that they offer just the needed information, at the right time, while allowing people to interact with car systems using their preferred interaction methods, such as speech, gaze, and gestures.”
TAUCHI Research Center at Tampere University has studied human-technology interaction for a long time. Novel interaction technologies, such as haptic feedback even in the air, touch-sensitive surfaces, and gaze tracking, can increase the safety and usability of car interfaces.
AI technologies can constantly model the driving environment and filter the relevant information to be presented through different human senses. Aalto University adds world-class expertise in laser scanning and 3D sensing technologies to the project.
“Nokia is one of the leading inventors of the fundamental communication technologies enabling cellular connectivity. These technologies are used in virtually all mobile devices, and they also enable automotive manufacturers to bring connectivity to their vehicles”, explains Dr. Ville-Veikko Mattila, Head of Multimedia Technologies at Nokia.
“Our advanced research in artificial intelligence, multimodal interaction, volumetric video coding, and spatial audio enablers makes us well-positioned for developing new technology for future vehicles”, Mattila continues.
As part of the AMICI project, Nokia will build AI solutions that analyze the driver and the environment of the car using data from multiple sensor channels, including feeds from other vehicles. This will enable holistic vehicle awareness of the surroundings including people and other vehicles.
Integrating volumetric media displays for visualizing vehicular data in 3D will provide the driver with a holistic representation of the surroundings, increasing the safety of passengers and other road users. Furthermore, volumetric audio with head position tracking enables realistic immersive audio experiences for communication and entertainment.
Innovative automotive technology develops steadily without sacrificing safety
Siili Auto has a long history of creating innovative solutions that make the HMI more intuitive and safer to use in automotive environments.
”Co-operating with academic research institutions and leading automotive technology companies in AMICI brings Siili the latest and most advanced technologies and scientific research that enable completely new user experiences for next generation vehicles without sacrificing safety”, says Juhani Vanhala, Head of Sales at Siili Auto.
“Vehicles are steadily becoming the most technologically advanced products that consumers will ever own. Vast amounts of data from sensors and online services are processed in real-time, while hidden algorithms make decisions on behalf of the driver. Simplifying the underlying complexity and creating a natural and well-defined user experience will be critical for the successful adoption of new in-vehicle features and innovations by consumers,” says Tero Koivu, Chief Strategy Officer at Rightware.
The results of AMICI can be experienced in the anniversary seminar of TAUCHI
The results of AMICI can be experienced together with several other projects in the 25-year anniversary seminar of TAUCHI Research Center on November 18, 2022, from 9-14. Welcome to check out the latest research in human-technology interaction, and chat with leading scientists who make the impossible possible! See more information and register to the event.
AMICI is a co-innovation research project funded by Business Finland and the partners: Canatu Oy, Modulight Oyj, Nokia Oyj, Rightware Oy, Siili Auto Oy, Visidon Oy, Tactotek Oy, Nokian Tyres, Pilkington Automotive Finland Oy, Varjo Technologies Oy, Creoir Oy, Aalto-yliopisto and Tampereen yliopisto. The total budget of the consortium project is about 8,7M€ in 2021–2023.
More information
Professor Roope Raisamo
The head of AMICI consortium
roope.raisamo [at] tuni.fi (roope[dot]raisamo[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358-50-5702-007
