With the continuous impact of the wave of intelligence, many car brands are now involved in the equipment competition of "intelligent car machine system", and Audi, as one of the traditional powerful BBA, is naturally the same. However, unlike those brands that have only gradually begun to pay attention to the car and machine system in recent years, Audi has a wealth of design experience in this regard. MMI (Multi Media Interface) system is the English abbreviation of "Audi Multimedia Interactive System", which was officially launched in 2004 and was first installed on the Audi A6 model of that year.
Over the years, the MMI system has undergone many updates and iterations, and the latest generation of MMI infotainment system is the product of Audi's Android platform developed for domestic users, launched in 2020, and has been widely used in Audi brand models. So, can this latest generation of MMI system based on the Android platform bring eye-catching surprises? Has it kept up with the rapid development of the times? This issue of "Intelligent Vehicle And Machine Review" will comprehensively evaluate the MMI vehicle and machine system equipped with the Audi e-tron Sportback through two dimensions: system hardware and system software.
First, the system hardware
1. Hardware parameters
The Audi e-tron Sportback adopts the family's classic "triple screen" design, which is quite in place for the overall technology atmosphere. The full LCD instrument size is 12.3 inches, the fully embedded design is integrated with the instrument table, the resolution is visible to the naked eye, the display effect is clear and delicate, the only fly in the ointment is that in some specific cases, there will be a slight reflection phenomenon, which affects the perception. The central control screen also adopts an inline design, the size of 10.1 inches is just right for personal feelings, with a certain inclination angle, daily operation and viewing content are very comfortable, and there is almost no reflection. The 8.6-inch screen below is actually more of a trackpad in terms of functionality, mainly responsible for air conditioning control and handwriting output.
2. Hardware evaluation
This generation of MMI system functions mainly rely on the touch screen for operation, all applications in the touch screen can be freely dragged, the owner can personalize the layout of the function in the screen. The central control area consists of two LCD screens, the size is 10.1 inches and 8.6 inches respectively. There are virtual shortcuts at the bottom of the lower screen, and only two physical buttons, plus a pulley that controls the volume and toggles the previous/next song.
The 8.6-inch central control screen on the lower side of the center console is mainly responsible for air conditioning control, and can also act as a "handwriting board" when typing. The fluency and reaction speed are relatively good, and the display effect is excellent, and it also has vibration feedback, which takes into account the sense of technology and practical experience. This generation of MMI system cancels the traditional central control knob, most of the operation needs to rely on the touch screen to complete, although to create a strong sense of technology, but in terms of interactive experience, I still prefer the original physical knob and buttons, not only the design is quite distinctive, but also more ceremonial to use.
The multi-function steering wheel button layout is reasonable, the number is small, relatively simple and refreshing. Among them, the left side is mainly responsible for the control of the driving computer in the LCD instrument, while the right side can adjust the relevant functions in the multimedia, in addition to the activation button of the voice interaction system. The settings of the cruise system are all integrated on the lever on the left rear side of the steering wheel, which may require a certain learning cost for the first time, and it is easier to operate after getting used to it.
Second, the software system
1. Software parameters
The new MMI system on the Audi e-tron Sportback is based on the Android platform, but does not support OTA upgrades. The boot speed is fast, basically waiting about 2 seconds after the vehicle is started to operate. In addition, the system also has a "configuration wizard" and "operation tips" in the menu "Help", the latter of which includes a beginner's guide and special function teaching, which can reduce the difficulty of getting started after simple learning, which is very convenient.
2. Basic application evaluation
The Audi e-tron Sportback supports Audi virtual cockpit setups with built-in "Classic", "Sport" and "e-tron" three dashboard modes to choose from. In addition, the user can also choose the tendency of the lcd instrument to display content according to their preferences, such as standard mode, navigation map center or full-screen display.
Audi's new MMI system is indeed eye-catching in terms of interface layout and operation, the interaction logic is clear and reasonable, and the difficulty of getting started is not high. Relatively speaking, the interface of this car-machine system is still more traditional, although it is not fancy, but it is better than practical. The functional items on the main interface are arranged in order, and the operation feeling is quite similar to the daily use of mobile phones, including design details such as drop-down menus, which is indeed quite a bit of the "figure" of the underlying Android. Some commonly used functions, such as media, vehicle settings, system settings, etc., can be found in the first-level menu interface. Moreover, the location of the function icon also supports the user's DIY setting, and the degree of freedom is very high.
In the actual experience process, the system did not appear to be stuck, and the fluency is worth affirming. It should be emphasized that the two screens equipped with the center console support haptic feedback, and the feedback intensity is adjustable, which can simulate the interaction feeling of physical keys as much as possible. However, due to the existence of haptic feedback, so in the actual use, subjectively always feel that the system response will be slower than the finger operation, and the pressure of the screen also needs to be slightly larger to allow the car machine to identify that it is not a mistake, when the continuous operation, the finger and arm personal feeling will still be a little difficult, this part still has room for optimization.
3. Comfort application evaluation
The air conditioning panel of the Audi e-tron Sportback is designed to be self-contained, with the screen under the centre console taking full responsibility. Operating through the touch LCD screen, not only the display is very intuitive, the sense of technology is instantly full, and there is feedback during operation, and the interaction feeling is also very good. In addition, the seat function adjustment is also designed at the bottom of the screen, including heating and ventilation, etc., are designed with shortcut buttons, which is very convenient for daily use. The interior ambient light supports multi-color adjustment, which can not only adjust the display brightness, but also set a variety of themes, which is highly playable.
4. Map navigation evaluation
Through the shortcut button on the left side of the central control screen or the large icon of the menu interface, you can directly enter the navigation interface, and daily use is more convenient. Of course, navigation can also be opened through voice control, but the system's recognition ability for voice commands needs to be strengthened.
The navigation function interface is refreshing and concise, and the layout of the ribbon is reasonable, which is relatively easy to understand and get started. Navigation supports handwriting, pinyin and voice, and the output is completed by the screen below the center console, with reasonable position design and convenient operation. Because the screen supports haptic feedback, the use of the feeling is still relatively good, and whether it is handwriting or pinyin input, the speed is very fast, and the recognition rate is relatively high.
However, in the actual test process, some problems were found, for example, when entering the "bird's nest" as the destination, the location associated with the system was "donkey lips are not right for the horse's mouth", which will be somewhat confusing. The same is true when including voice input, including commands such as "I'm going to the bird's nest", the system can not recognize, many attempts have failed, and the use of the feeling is not good. The navigation function of the system is relatively rich, and it can find special destinations such as charging piles, but as far as the most basic "navigation" function is concerned, there are still more slot points, and there are also problems with the convenience of use.
However, according to official information, when users log in to Audi Connect, the functions that can be used will be more abundant, including entertainment, urban encyclopedia, smart parking, weather query and road condition display. Unfortunately, the test drive type failed to bind the login, so the detailed test for this function could not be carried out.
5. Video and audio entertainment evaluation
Audi e-tron Sportback is equipped with BANG & OLUFSEN sound system, the sound quality is delicate, with the excellent sound insulation and noise reduction level of the whole vehicle, the effect is quite good. In the sound settings, users can make many settings, including 3D effects and so on. Rich details set up plus a good sound system, soft and hard combination, the use of a very good feeling.
The car machine system has its own application market, but because the test drive failed to log in the user, it was impossible to open the functional interface.
6. Vehicle interconnection evaluation
Audi e-tron Sportback This MMI system supports carplay and CarLife two kinds of mobile phone interconnection, using wireless connection, simple and easy to use. Take Apple CarPlay as an example, including the commonly used multimedia, navigation and call functions, can be used smoothly, and there is no problem with screen projection. According to the configuration table, the Audi e-tron Sportback can be equipped with an optional remote start function, but because the test drive is not optional, it is not possible to test the content of remote control.
7. Intelligent interactive evaluation
In the actual experience, the Audi e-tron Sportback is very general in terms of voice interaction. This voice interaction system not only supports the steering wheel button wake-up, but also can open the voice dialogue system, and the wake-up word is "Hey, Audi". The voice dialogue system can realize software functions such as multimedia volume size control, making calls, and opening navigation, but the speech recognition rate is relatively low, and some vague speech semantics cannot be accurately recognized. The overall feeling is that the practicality is average, the system is not smart enough, and the recognition and understanding of user instructions is poor, and there is still a large room for optimization in this regard.
8. Assisted driving evaluation
The Audi e-tron Sportback's reversing image is clearly displayed and equipped with a follow-up reversing auxiliary line, which is convenient for the driver to judge the parking trajectory. In addition, although the Audi e-tron Sportback is not equipped with a driver status monitoring camera, it still provides a reminder of driving fatigue. Since the test drive did not have an optional HUD head-up display, the relevant functions could not be tested.
summary
Through a series of experiences, the performance of the latest generation of MMI multimedia interactive system equipped with Audi e-tron Sportback has basically met expectations, and measured, it can also be satisfactory in terms of ease of operation, functionality and ease of use. Audi MMI system for many years the market reputation has been very good, and in the gradual popularization of intelligent interconnection, it is also actively seeking breakthroughs, not only choose to build a new generation of systems based on the Android platform, but also for Chinese users to carry out a lot of optimization, which shows its sincerity.
However, the fly in the ointment is that although the screen with tactile feedback is the finishing touch, the performance of voice interaction is called "disaster", the comprehension ability is very poor, and the practicality is quite chicken. Moreover, although the interior design of the triple screen creates a strong sense of technology, and the screen display effect is clear and delicate, and the reflection is not serious, but the situation of fingerprints and "ash suction" is really maddening. When test shooting, I often need to clean up, otherwise it will greatly affect the visual experience. In fact, not only audi e-tron Sportback, many of Audi's models currently have this problem, the screen is easy to stain fingerprints and serious ash absorption, plus this software system is still based on pure black color, which affects the overall look and feel. In addition to the software upgrade optimization, perhaps Audi should really seriously consider how to solve the problem of screen hardware.