+1 for showing the efficiency, mi/kwh. I'm always checking it - probably too much - so would be great to have it on the center console.
I like every single one of them better than what we have. Please have a stab at the center screen too.Although I absolutely adore every inch of my MachE GTPE, I can't help but be irked by the existing instrument cluster design. As a product designer, I couldn't resist taking a crack at redesigning the panel that is always in my sight but…, well, could use some improvement.
What I think is wrong with the current design?
Things I considered while redesigning:
- Information architecture and hierarchy: The most crucial information should be more prominent, but instead, I find a large toy car in square brackets pushing the blue box. Is the fact that the distance to the car ahead is okay really the most important info?
- Inconsistency across driving modes: Switching to Unbridled mode reshuffles everything on the screen. It lacks continuity.
- Empty space issue: I like a clean design, but the panel seems empty most of the time. There must be a way to organize vital information so it's accessible without distracting the driver.
- Random sizes and alignment: Everything appears misaligned, and the randomness in sizes lacks cohesion.
- Aesthetics: This is very subjective, but to me, the design feels outdated like someone unearthed a vintage CD titled "3D Icons set for Photoshop 3.0" from their dad's attic.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or your own gripes on the current design.
- Easy implementation: I aimed for something easily implemented without heavy engineering work. For example, allowing the driver to customize the leftmost area (e.g., someone would prefer seeing display battery consumption analysis instead of the player widget) seemed sensible.
- Consistency in element placement: Not all widgets are always visible, so it can be tempting to move them around to fill empty spaces. However, I kept the elements in their original places to make them easier to find.
P.S. This is my first post here, so please bear with me if this kind of post isn’t welcomed here.
Drive safe!
Noted! I’ll definitely include a power/regen gauge as an option in the form of a customizable widget.
Kind of skipped past pages 2-6 here, but for me the estimated range is less important than the actual SOC%. Tesla offers an option to display either one. Similarly, when navigating the projected battery SOC% at destination is a necessity. Why Ford makes you hunt for this is beyond me.Thank you so much to everyone who shared feedback! Your insights have been incredibly valuable, and I've taken them all to heart.
I wish I could've responded to each comment, but my day job keeps me pretty tied up. It's what funds my pet projects like this one, after all. But rest assured, I've absorbed every piece of feedback.
Here's what I've gathered from your thoughts:
With this feedback, I'm going back to the drawing board:
- The Panel Clutter: It's clear that the panel was too busy. This needs a fix.
- Desire for Additional Information: Despite the clutter, some of you wanted extra info that's helpful but not essential for driving.
- Emphasis on Important Details: Info like speed, range, and situational awareness needs more prominence.
- Speed Gauge in the Center: A popular request, and I'm taking note.
- Avoiding Corner Placement: Important information shouldn't be hidden by the steering wheel. Good call.
Please take a look at this diagram.
- Strong Visual Anchors: By placing the most important info in the center, left, and right, I'll create clear visual guides. Secondary info will fill the gaps as needed.
- More Flexible Layout: I'm going to allow some flexibility to avoid empty spaces for elements that aren't always there, like navigation.
- Optional Secondary Info: Secondary information should be optional and shouldn’t distract you from important things. Choose for yourself what you want to see, if anything!
I believe these adjustments will make the instrument cluster more functional. Your opinions are very helpful, so please keep sharing your thoughts on these updates.
The Subaru Crosstrek has a car on the center of the dash, just like the Mach-E. However, when you hit the brakes, the brakes on the picture of the car light up. It is a great location for such an indicator.
Neat design. Great explanation. Ford should hire you for the task!Although I absolutely adore every inch of my MachE GTPE, I can't help but be irked by the existing instrument cluster design. As a product designer, I couldn't resist taking a crack at redesigning the panel that is always in my sight but…, well, could use some improvement.
What I think is wrong with the current design?
Things I considered while redesigning:
- Information architecture and hierarchy: The most crucial information should be more prominent, but instead, I find a large toy car in square brackets pushing the blue box. Is the fact that the distance to the car ahead is okay really the most important info?
- Inconsistency across driving modes: Switching to Unbridled mode reshuffles everything on the screen. It lacks continuity.
- Empty space issue: I like a clean design, but the panel seems empty most of the time. There must be a way to organize vital information so it's accessible without distracting the driver.
- Random sizes and alignment: Everything appears misaligned, and the randomness in sizes lacks cohesion.
- Aesthetics: This is very subjective, but to me, the design feels outdated like someone unearthed a vintage CD titled "3D Icons set for Photoshop 3.0" from their dad's attic.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or your own gripes on the current design.
- Easy implementation: I aimed for something easily implemented without heavy engineering work. For example, allowing the driver to customize the leftmost area (e.g., someone would prefer seeing display battery consumption analysis instead of the player widget) seemed sensible.
- Consistency in element placement: Not all widgets are always visible, so it can be tempting to move them around to fill empty spaces. However, I kept the elements in their original places to make them easier to find.
P.S. This is my first post here, so please bear with me if this kind of post isn’t welcomed here.
Drive safe!
I love your idea of showing when the brake lights come on when using 1 pedal, as I often wonder if my brake lights are coming on too often when I'm in heavy traffic on a highway and possibly causing traffic behind me to slow down merely because I eased off the accelerator a tad too much!I posted this idea with a much inferior execution than your and everyone shit on it.
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/can-i-have-these-features.27699/
I would also love to have a SOH indicator somewhere in the car. (Settings perhaps)
All ICE (non-hybrids) have brake lights that are exactly synced with the brake pedal. The driver always knows when the brakes are being used and when the brake lights are on. With EVs (and most hybrids that have one-pedal driving), the brake lights turn on as either 1) the brake pedal is pressed, or 2) a preset rate of deceleration is reached, or for some EVs 3) when the car is holding a stopped position with no pedal being used, as with hill-hold functionality. Option 2 is where a driver may not know when the brake light goes on/off.
I agree with all of this
Got it, thanks for the detailed explanation, it all makes sense to me now! I don’t use one-pedal mode, so it’s insightful.
