Autonocast discusses Mach-E's disruptive and human-centered design

macchiaz-o

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This is a great podcast if you're interested in discussions and interviews on mobility autonomy. The latest episode includes an interview with Ford's Mark Kaufman, Global Director of Marketing Distribution.

http://www.autonocast.com/blog/2019/11/28/161-what-the-cybertruck-and-inside-the-mustang-mach-e

They have some really brief discussion on the driver monitoring system and (eventually) some ability for hands free driving, which I think is only included on some of the trims. I'm looking forward to hearing a lot more about that in the final product.

I think it will be fascinating to reflect back a few years from now, on how well (or poorly?) things turned out from Ford's switchover to enterprise product line management (EPLM) and its deeper focus on human centered design (HCD).

Ford Mustang Mach-E Autonocast discusses Mach-E's disruptive and human-centered design autonocast+mark+kaufman
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w3rkn

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I can go into detail of why Ford's design approach is all wrong. But lets not forget what the main point here, is piloting a car. As such, all cars should be driver-centric.... period!


Human-centric software... is good and well intended, but how that gets to the Driver's eye/sight is critical. Ford's flaw is using/making/facilitating a single screen design. Then placing the interface HIGH AND IN YOUR FACE.... which also doesn't do anything for the human experience. (It was meant as a futuristic statement)

For human's sake, the Display needs to be integrated into the center dash, not suspended out in front of it. If Anything, Ford should've made it moveable (Driver orientated) of they were going with a single display. When multiple displays integrated into the Mustang dash would be more suitable for human interaction & ergonomics.



Ford single display design is flawed, because it makes the assumption that Driver's touch/use controls, equally as often. So they are on single plane/ONE screen. Instead of a separate display tuck down low for climate, and a larger screen center stack for infotainment, etc.

Horrible design to have so much information in the Driver's face, when a Driver's main responsibility lies outside the car.



As such, I am wondering why Ford didn't just throw the cigarette lighter and USB plug on the Center screen too...? After all, Ford wants you looking out the window (sarcasm) , not fiddling or looking down to plug in USB, or lighter, etc. (lol... see where I am going with this?)

Ford removed the human experience from the Mach E... The 2019 Ford Edge has a much better human experience than the Mach E. The s550 Mustang, or the Edge also have a more inviting of an interior, with less annoyance and disturbance.
 

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Machines and autonomous driving is much safer than human driving. Just how it is. Can't argue with science or facts. Because, well, that's their purpose. To be correct and make you think.
 
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macchiaz-o

macchiaz-o

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I can go into detail of why Ford's design approach is all wrong....
I'm reserving judgment on this until I can get some driving time in the vehicle.

I find my current vehicle to be driver-centric, in the sense that the majority of controls that I need, for the majority of time spent in the vehicle, are accessible without any significant movement of my arms, legs, or eyes. The pedals are where I need them, steering wheel, turn signals, speedometer... Also highly accessible are some of the less critical but often used functions such the as steering wheel buttons for audio and cruise control.

From what we know to date, this is almost all the same for Mach-E. It's got steering wheel controls and stalks, and a "binnacle" between the wheel and windshield that displays speedo, PRNDL, etc.

What we can't know until having driven it, are things such as how difficult is it to change the temperature or to turn on/off the windshield defroster. From pre-production photos, it looks like those controls are statically positioned at the bottom of the center touch screen. Good or bad? I don't know yet. I do know that in my Ford Fiesta, changing the temperature requires rotating this awkward little dial that I have to slightly hunch over my back and shoulder in order to reach while driving. So even though it isn't on a touch screen, it's still not great. I'll also admit, though, that reaching the small touchscreen on my Fiesta *also* requires me to lean forward and to the right -- because it's set up high and further back -- and isn't smart for me to do while driving.
 
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macchiaz-o

macchiaz-o

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Machines and autonomous driving is much safer than human driving. Just how it is. Can't argue with science or facts. Because, well, that's their purpose. To be correct and make you think.
@ejss, I'd love for that to be true, but I'd guess there are still multiple decades of work to be done before it will be safe for fully autonomous vehicles to share a significant percentage of the existing roads infrastructure with people on foot, bicycles, or manually operated vehicles.

Lots of companies are working towards this goal and most of them acknowledge that the current state of the art hasn't reached the level of safety and interoperability (with humans and human drivers) that is required.

Waymo is testing autonomous taxi service here in Chandler, AZ, but it's only for trips within a small region, that involve streets and intersections they've sufficiently studied, with a subset of their fleet (the other vehicles have human safety drivers), and only for a subset of their customers that have signed NDAs.
 


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For human's sake, the Display needs to be integrated into the center dash, not suspended out in front of it. If Anything, Ford should've made it moveable (Driver orientated) of they were going with a single display. When multiple displays integrated into the Mustang dash would be more suitable for human interaction & ergonomics.
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Ford Mustang Mach-E Autonocast discusses Mach-E's disruptive and human-centered design 1575347529404

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Ford Mustang Mach-E Autonocast discusses Mach-E's disruptive and human-centered design 1575347613501

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Ford Mustang Mach-E Autonocast discusses Mach-E's disruptive and human-centered design 1575347658180
 

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For proper full autonomy I can catch public transport.

W3rkn I agree, I was hoping for something less like Tesla, but still left field. We need to consider budget and sometimes the simplest ways win. People see it as futuristic because Tesla did it that way therefore it's a trend, but in reality it is just cost-cutting. Personally I haven't sampled anything like that so I, too, will reserve final judgment.

Individual screens would have made it easier for the non-acquainted to quickly understand where everything is, but like others have said it may be easier than it looks once you spend a little time in it. Muscle-memory is what it takes. Looking at some of the shots it doesn't seem it's too out of reach and it could well be a much easier way of accessing everything.
 

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W3rkn I agree, I was hoping for something less like Tesla, but still left field. We need to consider budget and sometimes the simplest ways win. People see it as futuristic because Tesla did it that way therefore it's a trend,
Very true if you want to win people over to a new product you have to give them something familiar so they have a reference point. Something to different and you won't get people to buy.
 

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@ejss, I'd love for that to be true, but I'd guess there are still multiple decades of work to be done before it will be safe for fully autonomous vehicles to share a significant percentage of the existing roads infrastructure with people on foot, bicycles, or manually operated vehicles.

Lots of companies are working towards this goal and most of them acknowledge that the current state of the art hasn't reached the level of safety and interoperability (with humans and human drivers) that is required.

Waymo is testing autonomous taxi service here in Chandler, AZ, but it's only for trips within a small region, that involve streets and intersections they've sufficiently studied, with a subset of their fleet (the other vehicles have human safety drivers), and only for a subset of their customers that have signed NDAs.
From what I've seen, Tesla's metrics with autopilot show a decline of basic accidents because of collision detection and all of the lane control they have compared to Becky in the left lane doing make up while talking on her morning conference call looking in the rear view mirror. lol
 
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macchiaz-o

macchiaz-o

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From what I've seen, Tesla's metrics with autopilot show a decline of basic accidents because of collision detection and all of the lane control they have compared to Becky in the left lane doing make up while talking on her morning conference call looking in the rear view mirror. lol
Ok, but Tesla Autopilot isn't autonomous. A human driver is required and must be ready to take over at all times. Even Autosummon requires human supervision.
 

ejss

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Ok, but Tesla Autopilot isn't autonomous. A human driver is required and must be ready to take over at all times. Even Autosummon requires human supervision.
Correct, I suppose computer assisted driving is a better term for it. Regardless, it's still statistically safer than Becky.
 

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Ford Mustang Mach-E Autonocast discusses Mach-E's disruptive and human-centered design {filename}

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Posting pics, without context is meaningless.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Autonocast discusses Mach-E's disruptive and human-centered design 03etronabudhabi56


Audi eTron center dash is much more aesthetically pleasing and focus orientated.

I would buy a Mustang Mach E if it had a reasonable driver interface... It does not. Instead, Ford wants you to feel that you are co-piloting a cellphone.
 
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w3rkn

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Machines and autonomous driving is much safer than human driving. Just how it is. Can't argue with science or facts. Because, well, that's their purpose. To be correct and make you think.
That is not true... Autonomous vehicle are safer than the worse human drivers. They can't decide a choice., thus inferior to an active human driver.
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