by In-car Entertainment: From AM Radio to Advanced Automotive Infotainment Centres
The first widespread form of in-car entertainment came in the late 1930s with AM radio becoming a standard option available in many new automobiles. Compared to today’s sophisticated infotainment systems, AM radio was a rather basic form of entertainment while driving, only allowing listeners to tune into local radio stations for music and talk programming. However, it marked the beginning of drivers and passengers being able to listen to content besides just the engine and road noise during trips. Over the following decades, car radios would continue to evolve with the addition of FM radio bands in the 1960s and cassette players becoming a popular option alongside radios in the 1980s.
The Dawn of Built-in Screen Infotainment
The real transformation of in-car entertainment began in the late 1990s and early 2000s with automakers starting to integrate larger display screens and more advanced multimedia capabilities directly into vehicle dashboards. Pioneer was among the first to debut a factory-installed CD player with a small LCD screen in some 1998 Honda models. Soon after, GM began offering onboard navigation systems and CD changers as options in many Buick, Pontiac and Cadillac vehicles. This helped usher in the modern concept of an “infotainment center” where drivers could not only listen to music but also get directions, view external vehicle cameras and control additional comfort/convenience features all through a central display interface.
Connectivity Becomes King
With the rise of smartphones and always-on internet in the late 2000s, automakers focused on allowing drivers to seamlessly connect their digital devices into the vehicle. Features like Bluetooth hands-free calling and media streaming allowed content from phones to be accessed directly through infotainment menus. Some early models around 2010 even enabled rudimentary forms of smartphone mirroring well before Android Auto and Apple CarPlay became standard. Manufacturers also started including WiFi hotspots, over-the-air updates and web browsing capabilities to fully integrate vehicles into the connected world. Brands like Tesla incorporated large tablet-style touchscreens running custom in-car operating systems.
Advanced Driver Assists and Convenience Tech
The past decade has brought a new era of enhanced driver aids, convenience functions and premium audio/video experiences built into today’s luxury and mid-size vehicles. In addition to high-resolution displays, systems now offer 4G LTE connectivity, over-the-air updates, voice command interfaces and the ability to control nearly every vehicle setting. Advanced driver assistance systems have also become integrated to provide features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and traffic jam assist through the Automotive Infotainment display’s menu interface. Automakers are packing vehicles with up to 10 screens to stream media, monitor cameras, change climate settings and interface with apps seamlessly. Some even allow rear-seat passengers to stream separate content or play games on their own displays.
Entertainment for All Passengers
With more vehicles today offering optional second-row entertainment displays, manufacturers are taking in-car entertainment beyond just the driver. Systems like Ford’s Sync 4 and GM’s Infotainment 3 allow all passengers to connect devices, access different audio sources and view playlists/menus on individual screens throughout the cabin.Some luxury brands integrate high-end Bang & Olufsen sound systems, 4K high-definition rear-seat entertainment centers and even offer gaming consoles built into the automotive infotainment module. The ability for every occupant to be engaged while traveling has created new opportunities for in-vehicle media consumption and transformed road trips into mobile entertainment experiences.
The Future of In-car Infotainment Technology
While today’s automotive infotainment platforms offer more content options and driver assistance aids than any other time in history, the technology is expected to evolve even further. As vehicle connectivity and Electrification become standard, over-the-air updates will allow for continuous improvements to multimedia systems and feature sets remotely. More seamless integrations between in-car apps and smart home devices will emerge. Advanced virtual/augmented reality head-up displays also have potential to overlay information onto windshields. Experts believe full self-driving capabilities may even allow infotainment centers to become primary in-vehicle displays as drivers engage in other activities during autonomous rides. The future promises to deliver ever more immersive and inclusive entertainment and connectivity experiences for drivers and passengers alike.
