Navigating HMI challenges in the California project
With the all-new California campervan, Volkswagen aimed to create an RV that would enable drivers and passengers to explore nature while enjoying the comfort of their homes. Desay SV had been working on the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for some time, striving to develop a seamless experience for end users.
They had built several prototypes of the control panel for the rear area of the campervan, which features a 5-inch portrait touchscreen that enables users to set the air conditioning, access auxiliary heating, control ambient lighting, and much more.
However, the chosen HMI framework showed some limitations.
For instance, swiping and scrolling through options on the touchscreen felt laggy, and the absence of smooth screen transition animations diminished the overall user experience, which would not meet Volkswagen's expectations.
As the campervan's launch date approached, Desay SV had to explore other options. They wanted to find tools that would deliver on promises and a company that would serve as a strong partner in what felt like a race against time.
Close collaboration for a fast and cost-effective transition
As a result of the close partnership between Qt Group and Vector Informatik, Qt already had an AUTOSAR-ready Qt for MCUs solution available for the target platform, which led to a quick turnaround and enabled the delivery of a solution to address the customer’s pain points.
After a quick evaluation, Desay SV decided to move forward with Qt’s solution for MCUs and Vector’s MICROSAR Classic stack. The three teams collaborated closely to ensure that all challenges were addressed and that an advanced HMI would be delivered.
The new product was completed in just a few weeks. Qt and Vector assisted Desay SV in redesigning their architecture to operate on a Renesas RH850 so that as much as possible of the existing code, including business logic and communication interfaces, could be reused. The team successfully created smoother swiping and scrolling motions while incorporating enhanced animation effects, significantly improving the user experience.
Furthermore, the Qt team effectively optimized the product to boost performance and reduce its memory footprint by an estimated 50%, while enhancing the documentation through various reviews.
Ultimately, the key factors contributing to the project's success were the exceptional flexibility and usability of Qt for MCUs, the real-time performance capabilities of Vector’s MICROSAR Classic product, and the local support provided by both teams. Desay SV not only fulfilled its ambitious promises but also achieved cost savings.
Driving the future of digital experiences in Automotive
The successful collaboration between Qt and Vector in the Volkswagen California project has united two industry leaders with complementary strengths: Vector’s MICROSAR Classic product provides a robust and proven basic software (BSW), enabling seamless integration of the Qt for MCUs Complex Device Driver (CDD). Its modular architecture, real-time performance, and full ISO 26262 compliance up to ASIL D ensure a reliable and scalable solution, that was tailored to Desay SV’s requirements.
In addition, Vector’s DaVinci Configurator Classic streamlines the development process by offering intuitive graphical configuration, automated code generation, and powerful validation features. Meanwhile, Qt for MCUs delivers a high-performance, low-footprint graphical user interface solution that brings rich, fluid visuals to resource-constrained microcontrollers.
In addition, for projects requiring compliance with functional safety standards, Qt Safe Renderer offers a FuSa-certified extension that integrates effortlessly with Qt for MCUs, ensuring safety without compromising user experience.
Together, Qt and Vector eliminate the complexity of integration, offering a ready-to-go solution that saves time, reduces risk, and enhances product quality. This partnership will help define the next generation of in-vehicle experiences, combining safety, performance, and stunning design to delight drivers and passengers alike.
Read more about Qt for Device Creation
Note: video by Autogefühl. The full video review of the Volkswagen California campervan can be seen here.
About Volkswagen Group
The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's leading car makers, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. It operates globally, with 115 production facilities in 17 European countries and 10 countries in the
Americas, Asia and Africa. With around 680,000 employees worldwide. The Group’s vehicles are sold in over 150 countries.
With a comprehensive portfolio of strong global brands, leading technologies at scale, innovative ideas to tap into future profit pools and an entrepreneurial leadership team, the Volkswagen Group is committed to shaping the future of mobility through investments in electric and autonomous driving vehicles, digitalization and sustainability. The goal: As a “Global Automotive Tech Driver”, to make the best automotive technologies accessible to customers worldwide - from entry-level mobility to the luxury segment.
About Desay SV
Desay SV, one of the leading mobility technology companies, is committed to promoting a smarter mobility for all. Desay SV's core business focuses on the full-stack integration of the three major areas of smart cabin, smart drive and smart service. We continuously develop highly integrated leading hardware and software algorithms to provide global customers with safe, delightful and sustainable mobility solutions and services.
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