Graphical User Interface (GUI) Needs Redesign for Operation and Safety

[zhackwyatt]

Huh? MyFordTouch (Sync 2-ish?) was fantastic, except for the extreme sluggishness, crashes require fuse resets, slow USB updates, smaller set of capabilities, lack of Android Auto, and the sunsetted dial up modem bank. Other than that it was fine. ?

I always enjoyed the colored quadrant design, matching the colors in the instrument cluster. You could show what you wanted where you wanted it.

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[Gullwingdmc]

I love the UI, especially the cluster screen. I think the center screen is well laid out and pretty intuitive.

 

[oadesign]

I’m an interactive design director, so UX/UI is my domain and day-to-day function at work.

My conclusion after having owned my Mach-E for 2 weeks is that they did a pretty good job, especially since the Mach-E is a new model.

We just released v2.0 of a patient diagnosis simulation app for med school students, which required multiple rounds of design sprints and user testing by both faculty and students. Although we’re pretty pleased with the results and early feedback, we’ve already identified many tweaks that we’ll be bringing to future versions.

That’s the way it goes in most development environments…

 

[markboris]

I always enjoyed the colored quadrant design, matching the colors in the instrument cluster. You could show what you wanted where you wanted it.

And you were able to customize the display.
I changed the look of the colors in the quadrants and wording for the climate control.

 

[macchiaz-o]

I always enjoyed the colored quadrant design, matching the colors in the instrument cluster. You could show what you wanted where you wanted it.

And you were able to customize the display.
I changed the look of the colors in the quadrants and wording for the climate control.

On the Fiesta, MFT had a smaller display and wasn't as customizable. Also, HVAC controls had dedicated buttons down by the gear shifter and didn't show up in MFT at all.

 

[Illinibird]

...the Graphical User Interface (GUI) which is not only poorly designed but organized so that operating it is a safety hazard to drivers.

In addition, many times trying to actuate a function through the screen does not produce a response.

Operating the whole HVAC system with the GUI is not easy.

I have trouble myself adjusting the HVAC controls and the heated seats controls. For me it is a safety hazard to take my eyes off the road for as long as it takes me to try and see/adjust the icons.

 

[TruWrecks]

Have you been in a Telsa?

If you think it should be better why don't you design it and post it here so that they could draw inspiration. Some of us have created widgets etc along these lines. Don't just complain, help make it better!

You said "GUI" like 10 times, would your rather a "CLI"?

I'll take console and SSH to export KDE to my Android phone for ultimate flexibility and control. lol

 

[Chuck]

UI design is a personal thing. What you like and what you think is efficient may be totally different than what I like and what I think is efficient. I love the layout and functionality of the display on the Mach E. I seldom touch it when the car is in motion because almost everything I need to do can be done verbally or via the steering wheel buttons.

Contrast that with the 4 quadrant display shown a few posts above. My wife has that on her 2015 Lincoln Navigator. I very much dislike it and the rest of the functionality in that car. I would be an unhappy camper if I had to live with that interface. For me, the comparison between it and the Mach E is not even close.

And, that's why there's no one UI that will be satisfactory to all.

 

[bbachrac]

I have no problem with the infotainment GUI, aside from
-Infrequent slowness shortly after startup
-Seater should toggle between the three levels with each press (rather than bringing up a slider)
-More physical buttons is always better


Yes it is. Page 128.



I may be misunderstanding, but are you saying you want text/buttons to be even smaller? That sounds like it's gonna be fun to read/click while the car's moving...



Are you saying you honestly think Ford develops their infotainment GUI and then never tests it while driving?



If your feedback would be "Make the buttons smaller", while simultaneously saying the current GUI is a "safety" issue, I'm glad they don't.

No I wasn't describing smaller buttons. I may create a separate thread for comment with a mock-up I created. All the buttons and tabs are a least 1".

 

[bbachrac]

I have trouble myself adjusting the HVAC controls and the heated seats controls. For me it is a safety hazard to take my eyes off the road for as long as it takes me to try and see/adjust the icons.

See the mock-up below in thread. The 2021 CA Rt1 doesn't have heated seats so I didn't include that. I have ordered a 2022 premium because it has better features than the Rt1.

 

[2021mustangdan]

No I wasn't describing smaller buttons. I may create a separate thread for comment with a mock-up I created. All the buttons and tabs are a least 1".

Why do you feel buttons and tabs need to be at least 1". Your mock up looks worse than what is already there.

 

[bbachrac]

Why do you feel buttons and tabs need to be at least 1". Your mock up looks worse than what is already there.

Why do you feel buttons and tabs need to be at least 1". Your mock up looks worse than what is already there.

The button inside the volume knob is 1". The buttons in my other cars are typically 1"x1" or 1/2"x1" My first finger is 3/4" so L assumed 1" was a reasonable choice with margin.
What is important is the ability to navigate the controls with the fewest button actuations. I find adjusting the sliders difficult while driving,

 

[Logal727]

I love the UI, especially the cluster screen. I think the center screen is well laid out and pretty intuitive.

The cluster is beautiful, it’s so much more refined from the sync screen, although I don’t have too many issues with that, except maybe the camera and recirc buttons should be moved.

 

[Illinibird]

The cluster is beautiful, it’s so much more refined from the sync screen, although I don’t have too many issues with that, except maybe the camera and recirc buttons should be moved.

I like it!

 

[jlauro]

Why do you feel buttons and tabs need to be at least 1". Your mock up looks worse than what is already there.

The graphics / colors are worse, but IMHO, the layout he suggested with the big buttons and most controls easier to find with less clicks looks a lot better than what we have now. The biggest thing I see lacking on the current and mock-up is the camera button. That should always be one button, not hidden behind another icon.

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