Hyundai’s Interior Concept Boasts A 3D-Like Display And Touchscreens On The Steering Wheel

Cars are becoming increasingly high-tech and Hyundai is embracing this trend by showing off a futuristic interior concept.

While the concept is based on the i30, its interior has been significantly revamped. One of the most noticeable changes is the all-new steering wheel which eschews traditional buttons and rocker switches for two touchscreen displays.

Designed to minimize clutter and complexity, the steering wheel’s displays are customizable and drivers can select which icons they want included on them. This includes everything from volume controls to more unique options such as a dedicated shortcut to activate the navigation system.

Besides offering an impressive range of customization, the steering wheel screens have actuator modules which promise to deliver “stronger and more consistent haptic feedback.”

Elsewhere, the i30 features a digital instrument cluster with a multi-layer display. It features two different displays which are “stacked behind each other at a distance of 6 mm (0.24 inches).” This allows the cluster to show realistic 3D graphics and Hyundai says this feature could be used to subtlety alert drivers to important information such as the speed limit.

The infotainment system has also been upgraded as it features haptic modules and new software which ties into the digital instrument cluster and steering wheel controls. This promises to the make the experience of using the multiple displays more cohesive and enjoyable.

There’s no guarantee that we’ll see this technology in future Hyundai vehicles, but company recently conducted a driver distraction study to determine how well users would respond to the new setup. Hyundai said these tests were successful as distraction levels were “significantly below the limits of the globally acknowledged motor vehicle safety associations AAM and NHTSA.” Even in more intense scenarios, drivers only reported a slight amount of distraction.