Automotive Interfaces Part III: Audi's Latest MMI System

The most noticeable addition to the MMI system is a new 8-way joystick in the center of the MMI controller knob. It allows you to move the cursor around the map display. With the previous MMI controller, you have to move a graphic representation of crosshairs (like on a rifle scope sight) around the map display.

To start the map scrolling function, you first press the MMI control knob once to get the side menu activated. Within the side menu is the map scroll icon which is a bit difficult to decipher. Select the map scroll icon to bring up the map crosshairs.

Pressing the MMI control knob once more allows only horizontal movement of the crosshairs. To move the crosshairs only vertically, press the knob again. Pressing the knob yet again exits the crosshairs operation.
 
This cumbersome process doesn't allow direct, diagonal movement of the map cursor, only zig-zag position changes that must be preceded by a press of the MMI knob to rotate through the Horizontal, Vertical, and Cancel operations. One of us likened it to Etch-a-Sketch.

Of course, that's if you can figure out how to scroll the map at all, because getting to the scrolling function in the side menu is difficult to figure out the first time, and equally difficult to remember if you don't use it often; reading the owner's manual is necessary.  And after awkwardly repeatedly pressing and turning the MMI knob to map scroll, you'll probably never do it again. You're more likely just to zoom in and out to see your relative position on the map.

The new 8-way joystick in the center of the MMI solves this scrolling problem. Just press the joystick in any map direction - diagonal movement is easy. You can also pick a destination this way by selecting a place on the map then entering it.
 
The joystick, however, cannot be used to move to and select operation controls in the corner of the display screen. The four switches surrounding the MMI knob still must be used to select these features. And the map switch and map screen are not always available with one switch press.

The only other function the joystick serves is to navigate around the menu screen on DVD movies.  That's right - the new MMI system plays DVD movies, but only when the vehicle is stationary. The movie sound continues to play when the vehicle is in motion, however. Although some may think this is more needless driver distraction, this feature does have some entertainment appeal when conquering stop-and-go rush hour traffic.

The new MMI system also has a large 7-inch display with a choice between a two-dimensional view plus a new 3D image that displays not only terrain but also the silhouettes of significant buildings in some cities.
 
Of course, even with the new joystick control, the new MMI system still has a steep learning curve and is a bit challenging to use, especially in comparison to the new, easy-to-use Lexus Remote Touch and redesigned BMW iDrive systems. But if you get frustrated using Audi's MMI, just slip in a DVD movie. And relax.

Albert Austria, Vehicle Evaluation Engineer, Inside Line