Displays and operating concept

With the new electronics architecture, Audi customers experience vehicle digitalization more directly than ever. The Audi A6 e-tron series has a fully networked digital interior based on the new E3 1.2 architecture. Above the “Softwrap”, the digital stage dominates the interior with the Audi MMI panoramic display and the MMI passenger display. The clearly grouped displays are integrated precisely into the design concept and give the interior a spacious and airy feel.

The slim, free-standing Audi MMI panoramic display features a curved design and OLED technology and consists of the 11.9” Audi virtual cockpit and the 14.5” MMI touch display. The area within the driver’s reach is designed as an arc, and the display, with its curved shape, is oriented to the driver. What’s more, the shape of the curved display is reminiscent of the Singleframe that defines the Audi look. Special ambient lighting makes the curved display appear to float at night.

The perfect addition for the best entertainment: the passenger display

For the front passenger, the digital stage is systematically and individually complemented with the 10.9” MMI passenger display, which is perfectly integrated into the dashboard design. The optional display contains three configurable dashboard tiles and a direct access bar on the left.

Thanks to active privacy mode, the front-seat passenger can enjoy content, such as movies or streaming series, without distracting the driver while travelling. The light in the MMI passenger display is directed (privacy mode on; invisible to the driver) or diffused (content visible to everyone), depending on the car’s speed and seat occupancy.

In addition to infotainment apps, the display also lets the passenger assist the driver with navigation or finding a parking space. A digital decor is displayed as a background image if the passenger display is not used or if no passenger is detected. 

Audi is making a huge leap in display technology with the optional augmented reality head-up display (AR HuD), another key element of the digital stage. The display reflects a large, tilted image plane across the windshield to the driver, showing relevant information such as speed, traffic signs, and assistance and navigation icons. The image plane is tilted forward for an enhanced AR experience, and the focus of the human eye moves along with it. This process and the high virtual image distance create the impression that the items depicted are floating up to 200 meters away and interacting directly with the environment. The displays (e.g., navigation instructions, driver assistance system displays, or song titles) are easy to read without irritating or distracting the driver. They offer significant support, particularly in poor visibility conditions. 

The field of view for augmented reality content corresponds to a diagonal of around 88 inches from the driver’s perspective and is based on a new digital light processor with an improved sensor and data quality and around 1.3 million micromirrors.

A very personal supporter: the new Audi assistant

In addition to improved and more intuitive touch operation, the new display and operating concept follows global interaction trends. Voice control has been significantly expanded and now plays a key role. The driver can control many vehicle functions using Audi’s self-learning voice assistant, the Audi assistant. Deeply integrated into the vehicle, the AI-supported digital assistant is now represented for the first time by an avatar in the MMI’s central touch display; in addition, recognition status is visible in the Audi virtual cockpit or the augmented reality head-up display. The new voice assistant recognizes more than 800 voice commands. This allows the user to control the vehicle, entertainment, and any driving-related functions they need. The system also enables conversation and indirect commands (e.g. “My feet are cold”).

The user activates the assistant with the phrase “Hey Audi.” In later iterations, the Audi assistant will also be accessible via various touchpoints like the myAudi app. The new display and operating concept allows the driver to search for the nearest charging station using voice dialog and to select from the list (which is presorted using AI) using the touch display. The front passenger can also use the Audi assistant. With the help of the microphone module in the roof, the control unit for information electronics detects who is giving a command.

This allows the system to determine whether commands are relevant. In principle, the front passenger can only control functions that are relevant to them – for example, the seat heating, air conditioning settings, or the power windows on the passenger side, while the driver can control systems such as Audi drive select.

Commands are also displayed in the Audi virtual cockpit (“see what you speak”). The intelligent assistant is shown in the Audi assistant dashboard. It helps with proactive tips, inviting users to discover its many abilities.

The digital assistant continuously learns from drivers to offer them the best possible support. The system offers support in different categories. There are proactive suggestions, where context information is used to suggest situational and proactive functions for activation. And there are smart routines, i.e., recurring operating sequences that are recognized and automated, such as seat ventilation from certain outside temperatures and updating call lists.

Furthermore, the Audi assistant can access additional online content, such as weather and general information. With the connection to ChatGPT (provided via Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service), customers can look up information freely while driving and continue interacting with their cars using natural language.

The Audi assistant automatically recognizes whether to execute a vehicle function, search for a destination, or, for example, show the weather forecast. The Audi system only forwards queries to ChatGPT when it cannot answer them, such as general knowledge questions. 

Drivers enjoy a seamless experience, as all the functions involved are integrated into the Audi assistant.

Data security has the highest priority. To ensure optimal privacy, all questions and answers are deleted after processing. In addition, ChatGPT has no access to vehicle data at any time.

A completely new MMI design has also been introduced with the new electronics architecture and the new display and operating concept. The graphical user interface (GUI) can be adapted to personal preferences, and it adapts to ambient lighting settings and the selected drive select mode.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.