As anticipated Kia Motors America used CES 2010 to unveil its new "UVO" in-car infotainment system with advanced voice- and touch-activated features, based on Microsoft Windows Embedded Auto software platform. The system will be offered during the third quarter of 2010, starting with the 2011 Kia Sorento. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kia-motors-unveils-advanced-infotainment-system-powered-by-microsoftr-80696117.html http://ces.cnet.com/2300-31052_1-10002123-1.html?s=0&o=10002123&tag=mncol;page

Kia, plus other vehicle OEMs also planning new connected infotainment introductions with similar capabilities, are no doubt hoping to automatically mimic at least some of the success Ford has enjoyed with its MS Windows Auto based Sync product. However while such systems will no doubt offer an impressive array of entertainment, information and connectivity features, OEMs will find that consumers acceptance and satisfaction with such multifeatured offerings is highly dependent upon a well-designed and user-friendly HMI. This conclusion is borne out by Strategy Analytics ongoing User Experience and Automotive Consumer Insights research that highlights that consumers' ultimate verdict of what is a "good" or "bad" product frequently hinges on the ability of the device HMI to quickly, conveniently, and reliably (add "safely" for the on-the-road context) enable users to achieve their particular operation objective at any given time. Strategy Analytics product useability evaluations continue to highlight HMI challenges. e.g.: Vehicle Entertainment and Navigation User Evaluation: 2010 Infiniti M35 http://www.strategyanalytics.com/default.aspx?mod=ReportAbstractViewer&a0=5203 Navigation Device User Evaluation: Garmin nüvifone G60 http://www.strategyanalytics.com/default.aspx?mod=ReportAbstractViewer&a0=5127 Kia is placing its bets on the first in-vehicle integration of Microsoft's intelligent speech engine technology to differentiate its UVO HMI user experience - supplimenting the 4.3 inch multifunction full-color touch screen.  Let's hope it doesn't disappoint!

Of course, the mobile handset vendors are amongst the most experienced in designing consumer electronic HMI. Strategy Analystics offers some of the lessons that can be learnt by vehicle makers and their suppliers in a complimentary presentation from its Automotive Consumer Insights program that can be found at the link below: Smartphone User Interfaces - Lessons for Automotive Multimedia Design http://www.strategyanalytics.com/default.aspx?mod=ReportAbstractViewer&a0=5045