Infotainment might sound like a made-up word at first, but it actually is the best descriptor of one of the most central elements of a modern vehicle interior. The infotainment system includes any and all elements in a vehicle interior that can both share vehicle information with the occupants as well as receive feedback to manipulate vehicle settings. This concept was completely foreign 20 years ago, but has come to be one of the most important parts of the driving experience.
Automakers have responded to the overwhelming growth in smartphone usage by creating systems that not only integrate seamlessly with smartphones, but also simulate their intuitive interfaces and multi-functional capabilities. Most infotainment systems now are capable of controlling cabin temperature, music and media selections, navigation settings, exterior camera images, fuel economy, and performance vehicle dynamics settings at once. Gone are the days of instrument clusters with rows of buttons and knobs. The cutting edge of the auto industry realize that simplicity allows for configurability and a well designed infotainment system can be a game-changer.