A revolution in rear-seat entertainment is coming, says software provider

Once reserved for passengers lounging in premium premium vehicles, Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) technology has been on a temporary trip for the past 10 years and is only on its way. to explode, a software vendor said.

Screen size and resolution are obvious improvements to the in-vehicle experience but, according to VNC Automotive, the gradual shift to advanced levels of stand-alone functionality should herald the biggest change to date in how technology is integrated and used. Some steps might even make the physical screen technology redundant.

“The future adoption of Level 3, 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles could lead us to spend more time in our cars, but less time driving them physically,” said Peter Galek, Director of Automotive Product Engineering. by VNC. “The permanent removal of driver responsibility and concentration on the road has the potential to completely change the role of RSE and the vehicle in general.

“The advent of digital TV, streaming and gaming has already changed the way we consume media at home and on the go, and this trend is gradually becoming more prevalent in our personal transportation. The pandemic has played its role in accelerating evolution. of our media consumption habits – Ofcom data suggests UK streaming services alone benefited from 12 million new registrations during COVID-19 and that viewing times on these services increased 71% per compared to 2019 numbers – but we are approaching a revolutionary age for in-vehicle content consumption. “

Galek said that RSE has already become less of a premium product and is a key factor influencing the decision of buyers of cars of the most popular models.

VNC Automotive boasts over a decade of experience in passenger vehicle systems now used in 35 million vehicles worldwide. Its Cobalt Share product, which targets RSE and BYOD (bring your own device) users by sharing media content from multiple mobile sources to vehicle screens, hints at the changing needs of in-car passengers in 2021.

“We live in a ‘one-click society’, whether it’s ordering items for next day delivery, operating home devices, or vehicle connectivity – we’ve been spoiled for convenience and it’s imperative that this is reflected in the ease of use, even as technology evolves and functionality is added, ”said Galek.

“Crucially, this shouldn’t just benefit entertainment use cases. The way we work has evolved over the past decade and technology has pushed the boundaries of the traditional office environment – emails can be checked and meetings can be viewed via portable devices while on the go. . The pandemic has further accelerated this transition to remote working and reduced dependence on the physical premises of municipal offices. The ability to quickly connect to a vehicle’s screens, as travel picks up, means that this work does not have to be done at home or an office, but away from the back of a taxi or a form of executive travel.

“In the future, this could promote collaborative work, as companies are less affected by travel; connect seamlessly between home or on the go, check emails or join streaming meetings on common screen workstations viewed by multiple people in an executive minivan, for example, or even a self-driving vehicle. level 5 with the driver involved, too. The core technology to provide this level of experience and connectivity exists, and we would expect demand to increase as customer awareness grows and the work environment continues to evolve as we go out. of the pandemic. “

Galek said similarity of formats is vital for seamless multi-vehicle integration, as compatibility issues between device makers or automaker’s proprietary systems will be a challenge to overcome in the short to medium term. Advances in mobile networks such as 5G offer potential, however.

“We could see a scenario where improved timing allows the vehicle to become a crucial part of a passenger’s network of interconnected devices that make up their business or personal hub. Rather than just streaming from your phone to a screen, you are seamlessly immersed in the mobile environment. “

This opens up revenue stream potential for automakers, operators and content providers: Private rental vehicle displays could become digital billboards showing advertisements, targeted campaigns or public service announcements.

The future of entertainment

Thanks to modern LCD or OLED technologies, the screen resolution of vehicles is advancing at a considerable rate. However, the added cost of providing and integrating displays, hardware certification, and crash safety validation are difficult barriers to adoption. Automotive applications also typically need to be able to withstand extreme temperatures of -40 ° C to 85 ° C, in addition to offering touchscreen functionality, including haptic feedback. This represents an opportunity rather than a challenge.

RSE is a chance for automakers to differentiate and move away from the shared parts feel of certain high-end ergonomics and interactive systems. Possibilities like smart zonal audio controls to adjust personal volumes and target content are already improving the in-vehicle experience, but the potential to put these features under the control of a device or app pushes this aside. level of integration at the higher level. Such connectivity also offers an opportunity for the future, allowing remote updates and upgrades via mobile internet or cloud-based technology to avoid incorporating inherently obsolete technology – the latest interface or upgrade. Fully bespoke page, welcome screen, or custom settings are all potential realities.

“A car’s audio system is often the best system a customer has already,” said Galek. “If vehicles are to evolve to become, with the integration of autonomous features, a space of mobility as opposed to a traditional car, could we see the emergence of home entertainment systems?

Families sitting on their disc to enjoy the latest cinematic or latest multiplayer gaming experience, or doing so on augmented reality trips – where a progress map appears above a semi-transparent window, or restaurant details are projected as you pass – serve to demonstrate the extent of the potential of CSR technologies.

“The future can look beyond the screens in the back, to projections on any flat surface, like windows, and incorporate augmented reality technology to truly make the vehicle an extension of the space of the world. life or work. “