Nuance Communications Inc. has announced the opening of its new user experience (UX) research center, the Design, Research, Innovation and In-Vehicle Experience (DRIVE) Lab, just outside of Detroit. The Nuance DRIVE Lab will be a hub for research and learning that will advance user interfaces in cars, ultimately providing drivers with safer, smarter and more enjoyable in-vehicle experiences, giving automakers the ability to differentiate with excellent user experiences. Over the coming months, Nuance also will open DRIVE labs in Europe and Asia to address specific local UX needs.
When it comes to human machine interface (HMI) strategy, a recent study conducted by Nuance among the world’s leading automakers found that more than 90 percent of participants believe that artificial intelligence (AI) is important or very important, and 76 percent believe connectivity to the home is important. In addition, 43 percent of respondents noted that AI will have the greatest impact on increasing overall user satisfaction with their in-car systems. The DRIVE Lab will address these needs, serving as the core of Nuance’s efforts to improve the user experience for both current and future automotive assistants. Through its work in the DRIVE Lab, Nuance will continue to expand conversational and cognitive AI capabilities for its Dragon Drive Automotive Assistant, as well as car-to-home and home-to-car interoperability. According to Nuance, these are two factors that car manufacturers find essential as they work to make the AI-driven connected car a reality and prepare for a future with autonomous vehicles.
The DRIVE Lab will study drivers’ preferences, in-car experiences and future automotive interactions. Key areas of the DRIVE Lab’s research include:
- Driver needs and preferences
- Unique driver experiences and technologies
- Best practices
- Consult carmakers and suppliers
“Automotive technologies are changing rapidly, and innovations like autonomous vehicles and advanced shared mobility are closer to reality than we think, so it’s important that we put a strategic focus on research to provide a truly intelligent automotive assistant that users can trust, now and in the future,” said Bob Schassler, executive vice president and general manager, Mobile Division, Nuance. “Our DRIVE Lab will be the center for our research and testing around new concepts and prototypes for the next generation of automotive user experiences for our customers.”
The DRIVE Lab also will be the hub of future research partnerships between Nuance and auto manufacturers, as well as universities. Nuance will work with these organizations to jointly study not only new technologies, but also how they impact driving risks such as distracted driving.
For more information on Nuance’s DRIVE Lab, watch the Nuance Automotive vision video for a glimpse into the future of AI-driven automotive and IoT experiences.