Not all in-car digital assistants are the same. These systems are generally voice-only tools that engage in conversations with the driver about various topics, from traffic to weather to current events. However, Volkswagen’s ID. Light takes a whole new visual approach to communicate messages and information. Much like the colorful lights of the mothership from the Steven Spielberg classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind, this subtle and strangely intuitive technology aims to strengthen the relationship between humans and machines.
ID. Light is available on the Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicle (EV). As its name suggests, it is an illumination-based system defined by a light bar comprised of 54 LED bulbs that run along the base of the windshield, spanning the length of the dashboard. The placement of this lightbar makes it visible primarily to the driver and, by extension, the front passenger. It is also visible from certain angles outside the car.
The ID. Light feature uses the movement of glowing lights, pulses, and color changes in tandem with acoustic cues to create a unique visual language relating to various applications, including voice-activation commands, upcoming navigation prompts, incoming calls and messages, EV charging status, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that employ brake warnings to alert the driver of a potential collision, and more. Different colors and patterns convey easy-to-interpret messages for the driver.
To achieve simplicity and avoid confusion, ID. Light never delivers more than one illuminated message at a time. It prioritizes data and information based on importance. Furthermore, the driver engages with ID. Light without having to take their eyes off the road.
As such, the premise of ID. Light is to help drivers and vehicles interact naturally and intuitively, minimizing driver distraction. The key to this was for Volkswagen to create a simple interface that connects with a driver’s cognitive and emotional facets through the sense of sight.
Even before the driver sits behind the wheel, ID. Light activates a varying sequence of colors, each with its own meaning and purpose:
To modify the settings of ID. Light, first tap the vehicle icon on the infotainment screen, then “Interior,” and lastly, select “ID. Light.” Now, you may activate or deactivate features per your preference. There are five main setting categories for ID. Light:
Each menu item enables or turns off a specific function, yielding a personalized ID. Light experience.
Taking connectivity to the next level, ID. Light is an intelligent lighting concept that adds a visual component to voice-controlled digital-assistant technology. The result is an in-car experience that is more intuitive and engaging than ever.
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Jessica Shea Choksey is an experienced writer in the automotive field. In addition to JDPower.com, she was a correspondent for PBS's MotorWeek, and her work has appeared on AutoTrader.
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