Nissan: 2 screens are better than 1

MANILA: Nissan plans to change the way motorists see from the driver’s seat with a new layout it has introduced in the Ariya Concept launched at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.

Instead of putting the big screen in the middle, the Japanese automaker first replaces the instrument panel with a screen and then installs another one right beside it.

Both screens curve toward the driver for accessibility, but more importantly to provide a sense of “horizon” stretching from the elements along the door all the way to the rear of the cabin. This is Nissan’s new “Timeless Japanese Futurism” design language.

"The human eye naturally looks from side to side when driving. People can see and absorb more information if it's laid out horizontally. Peripheral vision works this way as well," explains Tomomichi Uekuri, senior manager of the HMI engineering team.

Nissan believes this new twin-screen layout conveys information as it is in the line of sight while matching the cabin's horizon aesthetic makes it a seamless part of the dashboard. Nissan's design team calls this engawa or the undefined space between where you are, and where you are going.

It displays entertainment information, comfort controls and system status in the center screen. Information can moved or be swiped between the two screens to create the feeling of a single display. For example, if the drive wants route directions and map in front of the steering wheel, they can appear there. They can also move to the center, or disappear when no longer needed.

"The display's wave construction is innovative and utilizes an ergonomic layout for both the meter display and the center display, not only for visibility, but also allows the driver to easily reach the center display touch screen," added Uekuri.

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