A human-machine interface (HMI) is an interface that allows us to interact with a digital system. No matter what HMI we design, we need to allow users to take advantage of all that a system has to offer. For almost two decades, the personal computer was the first thing that came to mind when we heard about digital HMI. But the situation changed, and today HMI is an integral part of many devices we use daily — mobile phones, smartwatches, IoT devices, and even cars. Car HMI design is a relatively new field with its specifics that you need to be aware of.

My team has experience designing for major automotive companies like Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi, and we want to share some practical experience in this article. This article covers HMI car design, touching on why it is an essential aspect of car design.