2011 Audi A8: MMI Touch, Changing The Way We Use Navigation Systems

Here's one thing that no one has talked about, yet. There is revolutionary technology in the 2011 A8 that is going to change the way people use navigation systems. Forget iDrive or COMMAND, the new flagship Audi is making moves.

The tech: a black panel, touch screen pad.

Rather than use buttons or joysticks, Audi's solution puts a touch screen in order for drivers to draw with their finger. For example, if I am trying to enter in an address as a navigation destination, I can hand write the numbers and letters and the system will recognize the inputs. Far easier than Audi's old solution of twisting a knob back and forth in an annoying and archaic fashion.

Is this easier for the SPIES? Let us know below.

Excerpt from Audi's official press release follows:

"MMI touch: a revolution in operation
 
Audi has entered a revolutionary new path in the operation of MMI navigation plus: it uses a touchpad. To enter the destination or phone number you simply draw the letters or numbers on the control panel with the index finger of your right hand. The system even recognizes Cyrillic, Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese and Korean characters. MMI touch can also be used to navigate on the map. An intelligent auxiliary feature is the Black Panel technology: Here the pad becomes a control panel containing six programmed radio stations.
 
The new input technology functions intuitively and spontaneously. The driver’s right hand is ideally guided by the selector lever of the 8-speed tiptronic. His or her finger draws the lines as if automatically – and the driver's attention remains focused on the road. The system acknowledges the input after each character with an acoustic feedback signal. In contrast to voice control, touchpad input is possible even while conversing or listening to an audio source.
 
Along with MMI touch, the new A8 also offers conventional operation with the MMI rotary pushbutton. Further improved voice control is also available on request: Places and roads can now be spoken as commands..."


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sstainba - 12/1/2009 9:39:25 AM

+2 Boost

revolutionary? are you serious? that technology is at *least* a decade old. simply sticking it into a car doesn't make it any more amazing. if they were really interested in making something useful, it would be a voice recognition system. the accuracy of these systems today is amazing, and it's pretty quick too. plus, the user could enter in an address while driving without taking his hands or eyes away from the more important task. oh, and that thing is ugly.

JustaCar - 12/1/2009 10:49:51 AM

-3 Boost

Applying the touch pad technology the way Audi did is revolutionary, even if the technology itself is not totally new. The touch pad is also backlit so it doubles as a number pad for radio presets. And yes, the A8 does have voice recognition however, the technology is not as "amazing" as you may think. Have you ever tried using voice command while other people in the car are talking?

sstainba - 12/1/2009 2:41:26 PM

0 Boost

i didn't get in-car nav in my audi because of the problem inputting addresses (and the ridiculous cost)... BUT... there are several other features in the car that it will not let you perform while the car is in motion/gear. that's even more of a bonus to the speech recognition since there is no danger in talking while driving.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/1/2009 4:09:19 PM

+2 Boost

204E60

Using your argument, if that technology for Voice Input is perfect then by now it would be the standard medium in most expensive vehicles for controlling tasks and probably have busybody politicians pushing to legislate that all vehicles have it.

The fact that neither is the case should let you know that Voice control is not anywhere as easy or perfect as people think.

1dott8 - 12/1/2009 9:49:09 AM

+5 Boost

i would think that this would be too time consuming.

Anthony - 12/1/2009 9:52:00 AM

+4 Boost

So this is like a laptop trackpad approach to nav control, as compared to the desktop mouse approach of systems like the one found in the Lexus RX.

LACMAN - 12/1/2009 11:40:27 AM

+3 Boost

Funny. I am on my laptop and as I was about to click away from this page I looked down and thought the same thing.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/1/2009 3:51:50 PM

-1 Boost

The Current A8 Pop-UP Screen is known as the Best in the World
No other vehicle has better motorised setup not even the Rolls Royce.


So i doubt the new one will be worse than the Old one.

May i ask, Have you ever driven or been inside the Current A8 ?

pennfootball - 12/1/2009 11:38:52 AM

+5 Boost

it does look rather chintzy....I like voice commands, and the Lexus mouse...better yet why not integrate a little Robot midget Ninja to come with the car and do things for you!

sstainba - 12/1/2009 12:13:08 PM

+4 Boost

i think i'd prefer the robot midget ninja as well.

jsell - 12/1/2009 1:24:07 PM

+3 Boost

I still prefer our systems (Acura)...
push button speak "menu"
push button speak "address"
push button speak " (whatever road name)"
push button speak " (# of address)
push button speak " yes"
all done in about a minute, never taking eyes off road, never taking hands off wheel and going any speed you like.

CarCrazedinCali - 12/1/2009 1:27:47 PM

+1 Boost

I will wait to pass judgement on this new track pad AFTER I have played with it. It sounds interesting, at least they are trying something new... I think the iDrive in my 09 335 is pretty good, as are the voice command capabilities. I am still open to new ways to inputing info into the Nav.

JustaCar - 12/1/2009 3:00:26 PM

+2 Boost

The A8 does also have voice input. But such systems are very sensitive to ambient noise such as other people in the car talking.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/1/2009 4:03:53 PM

0 Boost

Not everyone has success with COMMAND systems

I have a deep voice and trying to use COMMAND is a total waste of time.

All 3 German Marques have Voice control in their Large Sedans as an option yet still have regular push button/scroll knob input as the first input medium.

I really never understand why people think the whole world revolves around them. Do you think Audi would waste the Millions of $s RESEARCHING, TESTING & IMPLEMENTING new Tech/Aid without making sure there is a NEED for such Tech/Aid ?

I swear this site is full of Kids and or Idiots.