Behold a new prototype dashboard by Ford in collaboration with Smart Design (the designer for the super-easy-to-use Flip camcorder) for their new breed of "green" cars.
The dashboard gives drivers a "wealth of info" without confusing or distracting them. And when Ford researchers tested the new design, they found that drivers get obsessed with achieving a "high score" of getting the highest fuel efficiency:
In order to play into the research finding that drivers are looking for a high score when it comes to fuel efficiency, one high-resolution LCD screen on the dash features an eye-catching rendering of curling vines blooming with green leaves. It's more than a decorative element; it's a data-visualization tool intended to change the way people drive. If a driver wastes gas by aggressively accelerating or slamming on the brakes, for example, the vine withers and leaves disappear. More leaves appear if individuals drive more economically.
Matt Vella and Reena Jana of BusinessWeek have more on the story: Link - via Information aesthetics
I applaud Ford for trying to innovate, but as I write this post I distinctly remember driving in Los Angeles and finding a brand new Ford Mustang living up to the acronym Found On Road Dead, still with dealership plates and price tags (seemed that it was being taken for a test drive), broken down on the side of the road. I don't think the customer bought the car ...
For the fuel indicator, tell me how many gallons are remaining and make an informed guess about how many miles I can drive before running out of fuel (a city estimate, highway estimate, mountain estimate and an estimate based on historical use that factors in my location via GPS).
Having done third party work on dealer cars, I've had the experience of riding many miles on fumes. :)
How ironic.
On an unrelated note, I had to rent a car and I got stuck with the Saturn Aura. I actually liked it, camry be damned.
where in the world do you see getting greener as a result of more CO2 AND pollutants?
i would buy that nonsense you call irony only if you bike to commute.
My Dads truck has a complicated display that frustrates me because I have never borrowed it for long enough to figure out. I think its neat when the car can tell you information on mileage and such but its nothing that someone with a 3rd grade education cant figure out on their own in about 10 seconds.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/sedans/2010_ford_fusion_hybrid_vs_camry_hybrid_altima_hybrid_and_malibu_hybrid_comparison_test+page-5.html
This is the "exact" dashboard interface that is going into the 2010 Fusion Hybrid. So if never means end of the year you are spot on.
Remember when every other car of the 80s came with vacuum fluorescent displays for the entire instrument cluster? Those were not cheap to replace (especially now). I pray that fixing just your petrol gauge in cars like this wont be a $2000+ expense!
Just a thought. TARP money will run out eventually.
In summary, this looks line a design by Microsoft and it would be more appealing and easier to use if it looked like it came out of Apple's design studio.
Croccydile also has a good point. Digital displays seem much easier to break and much more expensive to repair when they do.
Car indicators still go above 100 to give a sense of power to the potential buyer. Few people will probably buy a car with a "top-speed" of 60 or 80 (even if it is the real top speed) because it gives an idea of "crappy". I own a Rover which indicates a top speed of 130, I doubt it ever reached that speed, even when it was new (small engine).
One Ford did not take any Tarp money and two the reason they spent the time on the dashboard is called aesthetics. People want cars that run well AND look good. The dashboard is also an effective way to help people become more engaged with being economical with how they drive. Once again anyone that is expecting ANY car company to produce a 100mpg car anytime soon is smoking way too much weed. Also Ford is the only one of the big 3 that had this plan of action in place BEFORE the trip to D.C. .
My speedometer goes up to 45 mph my actual top speed down hill is 42ish.