Volkswagen CEO says clunky infotainment overhaul begins now

Earlier this yr, the Volkswagen model up to date its MIB 3.0 modular infotainment matrix software program. The evolution introduced new options like extra data within the digital gauge cluster, Park Help Plus, and Journey Help. It additionally tried to amend a couple of foibles we (and plenty of others) have complained about since MIB’s debut, enhancing contact recognition, rushing response instances to the touch inputs, tweaking the person expertise, and including over-the-air updates so house owners need not drive to the vendor for enhancements. As we present in our First Drive of the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4, probably the most infuriating parts stay, just like the capacitive buttons all over the place, the non-illuminated quantity and HVAC controls, and a few odd button placement. Model chief Thomas Schäfer spoke to Automotive journal on the L.A. Auto Present and promised steady updates over the following two years. 

He defined the uproar from consumers and testers had gotten so dangerous that the Volkswagen Group Board stepped in and continues to be concerned in month-to-month conferences concerning the system. The primary process has been to determine the model id, then the particular mannequin id. After that, it is about making a logic to ergonomics and performance for the manufacturers and fashions that use the system by asking questions like, “What are the highest 10 features that prospects at all times want?” and placing these on the primary stage of arduous buttons. The secondary perform are then determined and positioned. As soon as that is determined, he mentioned the crucial is “Maintain it the bloody identical. Don’t change it round!”

We’re instructed the board conferences aren’t merely discussions, they’re for attempting out enhancements, “The [technical] crew places collectively mock-ups and we sit down and check out them. We will say: ‘This doesn’t actually work. Who the hell did this? Subsequent!'” Extra frequent clinics get random outsiders of all ages and talents testing new concepts. “If you happen to hear fastidiously,” Schäfer mentioned, “you discover out what it’s best to and should not do.” All of this sounds so primary, however so many primary and good concepts get shoved overboard when an organization needs to be first, and every thing is sacrificed to make the deadline. 

The MIB 3.0 overhaul begins as quickly as “within the subsequent few weeks” with a software program replace, however we do not know what that accommodates. In the meantime, now that OTA updates are a part of the combination, incremental tweaks will come faster. Subsequent yr, all the sliders will likely be illuminated, and revised steering wheels debuting on the brand new Tiguan will start the return of bodily buttons to the cockpit. Extra {hardware} adjustments will keep on into 2024. Naturally, the {hardware} wants probably the most time due to the VW Group’s measurement, Schäfer calling the bodily revisions “a monumental process – as a result of you must change 100 instruments and so many suppliers globally to vary it into one thing new.”

The ID.7 sedan and Tiguan are anticipated to point out someday subsequent yr.