Is Simpler Better? A Closer Look at Stellantis's Connected Service PackagesIn 2025, Stellantis revamped and simplified its connected service suite for car owners in the US and Canada. This report explores the new service tiers from a historic perspective, and analyzes them from an end-user's perspective.Derek ViitaAugust 11, 2025Exterior HMI: How Cars Will Communicate with the Outside WorldThis report examines exterior HMI use cases, publicly available demonstrations, and outlook for UX opportunities with exterior HMI, focusing on gesture/voice control, touchscreens / displays, ground light projection, and audio communication.Chris SchreinerAugust 8, 20252025 Volvo XC40 + Google Built-InUser Driven Strategies conducted a driver-and-passenger-focused evaluation of the infotainment system aboard a 2025 Volvo XC40, examining top tasks in media, satnav, communication, and climate. The evaluation also explores how Volvo's design strategy has changed since the 2010s, the role of Google Built-In, and what these developments could mean more broadly for the future of CarPlay and Android Auto.Derek ViitaJuly 18, 2025Ten Years of Carsharing UX: Lessons Learned, Lessons IgnoredThe technical and UX maturity of station-based and free-floating carshare services (a.k.a. car clubs) have evolved quite a bit over the past decade. This report looks back on the historic investment in carsharing services, evaluates the user experience of 3 active carsharing services across the US and Europe, and considers the model's future prospects.Derek ViitaJuly 18, 2025The Demise of Smartphone Mirroring?For over ten years, smartphone mirroring has dominated in-vehicle infotainment. But the industry is at a crossroads where embedded systems can meet or exceed customers' infotainment expectations. This report examines the main barrier holding back certain embedded systems and potential solutions to overcome.Chris SchreinerJuly 16, 2025Haptic Feedback: Tactile Evolution’s Impact on Automotive UXThis report looks at the key factors optimizing haptic HMI, key providers of haptic interfaces and components, and a look at what we expect from the next generation of haptics.Chris SchreinerJuly 15, 2025Impact of Large-Language Models on In-Vehicle UXThis report explores the potential of LLMs to meaningfully improve the in-vehicle experience. It investigates where these models offer incremental vs. transformative gains over current systems, identifies key future use cases, and unpacks the nuanced UX considerations that may not be immediately obvious to designers and product teams.Chris SchreinerJune 12, 2025The Path to *Real* Self-Driving CarsFor over a decade, the automotive industry has made bold promises about the imminent arrival of fully automated vehicles (a.k.a.robotaxis). OEMs alongside tech companies like have invested billions in the race to develop self-driving cars and driverless taxi services. This technology was heralded as a transformative leap — poised to reduce traffic accidents, eliminate congestion, increase mobility for all, and reshape urban landscapes. However, despite the early optimism and aggressive timelines, the reality has fallen far short of expectations.Chris SchreinerJune 5, 2025UX Overview: Apple CarPlay UltraApple's CarPlay Ultra represents a potential next step forward in automotive infotainment, marking a transformative phase in the integration of mobile technology with vehicle systems. This report examines the positive aspects and potential issues of CarPlay Ultra’s user experience. Special attention is given to design elements, specific design choices made by Aston Martin, system reliability, multi-user environments, fallback behavior, and the implications of ceding display space to a third-party operating layer. Chris SchreinerJune 4, 2025Data is the New Oil and Automakers Keep Spilling It It has become common for consumer-facing companies to collect as much usage data as possible, from as many of their users as possible, at all times. After collecting that data, these companies would then figure out how they might use it to extract more revenue for themselves. However, this often ignores the harm that can be done by collecting data/consent improperly, storing data improperly, or handling data improperly. Derek ViitaMay 13, 2025UX Evaluation: Honda PrologueUser Driven Strategies conducted a driver-and-passenger-focused evaluation of the infotainment system aboard a 2024 Honda Prologue. Tasks evaluated included tuning the radio, playing a song from a streaming service, calling a contact, entering a destination, changing climate settings, and searching for a point of interest.Derek ViitaApril 3, 2025
