Smart

Surface

HMI design - TATA Autocomp | Collaboration with TATA Motors & JLR
2019
Some project details are under NDA and cannot be fully disclosed.

Project overview

( Brief )
Designing a future-ready smart surface experience to simplify automotive interiors, enhance safety, and delight users with intuitive touch and gesture technologies.
( Role )
Concept Research & Ideation, Trend Analysis & Benchmarking, HMI Design
( Timeline )
Dec 2018 - April 2019

Design process

Primary &
Secondary research

( Desk Research )
To build a strong foundation for smart surface innovation, I conducted comprehensive desk research covering industry needs, market trends, emerging technologies, smart materials, sensor applications, and user behaviours.

This exploration helped uncover key problems faced in today's vehicle interiors and identified cutting-edge technologies that could redefine how users interact with automotive environments — paving the way for intuitive, seamless, and safer experiences.

( Primary research )

To complement the desk research findings, I conducted both quantitative and qualitative primary research using user questionnaires and in-depth interviews.
 The goal was to directly capture user expectations, priorities, and emotional responses regarding future automotive interior experiences.

Many users expressed a strong willingness to invest more in solutions that enhance safety, driving ease, and cabin comfort, indicating a growing demand for smarter, more human-centred vehicle interactions.

Safety

Road incline, blind turn, pedestal detection, incoming traffic detection for head light adjustment, indicator sensor, Drink and Drive prevention sensors.

01

Comfort

Glass tint, Auto opening door(sense owner), Seat adjustment acc. to human body, Body temp sense, parking, navigation, even cooling and air flow.

02

Entertainment

Music control on dashboard, front area, steering

03

Concept Development

( Ideate and prototype )
To build a strong foundation for smart surface innovation, I conducted comprehensive desk research covering industry needs, market trends, emerging technologies, smart materials, sensor applications, and user behaviours.

This exploration helped uncover key problems faced in today's vehicle interiors and identified cutting-edge technologies that could redefine how users interact with automotive environments — paving the way for intuitive, seamless, and safer experiences.
“True innovation in automotive HMI isn’t about adding screens - It’s about making the vehicle’s surfaces come alive, never distracting the driver, yet always within reach.”

Next project

UX/UI Design  |  b2b   |  Telecom
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