The death of analog gauges

"BadMotorScooter" (badmotorscooter) 01/26/2014 at 14:36 • Filed to: None

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I've seen the future, and there are no analog gauges in cars. The future of automotive dashboards and displays is digital displays, fully configurable and programmable. I am not saying that capacitive touch controls will be the dominant human interface in cars, as that is far from certain at this point. But I am saying that the gauges and information will be rendered on digital displays.

I came to this realization after pondering the display in the C7 and new CTS. Just like the design of the cars themselves, the new digital displays make the 'old-fashioned' mechanical, analog gauges with physically moving needles and indicators seem so, well, old-fashioned. I am sure some will wax nostalgic over the loss of the mechanical sense that comes from a moving needle, and there will never be a need to tap a stuck dial. There is an argument to be made about the loss of information that occurs with a digital representation of an analog system, similar to CDs versus analog vinyls records, but in this application I see much more benefit from the customizable and reconfigurable digital displays and the unique information they can represent than any loss from the analog gauge.

For example, here are some shots of the reconfigurable display in the new CTS. The representation of analog gauges is very good, where after a little adjustment period I don't notice that they aren't mechanical. As the resolution of these displays increase the difference will become even less.

Notice the boost gauge inside the tach. The inside of the speedometer can be configured with a nav display or other screens.

This is the 'performance' screen. Notice the boost display in the center section. Other info can be displayed in the center of the speedo and in between the tach and speedo.

Here is a balanced view, where various screens and be selected in different areas. Navigation and infotainment data included.

I don't think we should lament the loss of analog, mechanical gauges. With proper design a digital display can convey the same information in a better way. The panel displays are a different and better approach than earlier attempts at digital displays. See the S2000 dash here, although very effective, it cannot be customized and changed in any way.

As I was looking through screen configuration options on the new CTS, I noticed a page labeled 'open source' which was the standard open source usage agreement. Hmm, that opens the door to lots of interesting ideas if the displays can be customized in the aftermarket.

What do you think? Are the new displays the work of the devil or are we moving toward a better way to display information?

Singhjr96 > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 14:46

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I have an analog tach and speedo in my accord, but even they are starting to incorporate screens by putting a circular on on the inside of the speedo in the center. I think its great because you can have more than just milage on it. It actually will show you things like power on, accessory mode, what doors is open, etc. In the audi tt I heard they are incorporating a full screen and putting navigation into the dash. One place where I think its necessary is with fast revving cars like the LFA or any other sports cars like that. That thing revs so fast it HAS to have a digital dash because the analog one it too slow.

Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 14:50

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I welcome them on two conditions, both of which have their origin in computer gaming: High FPS and low lag!

Or in simpler words: a high enough framerate to make the dials appear as smooth as analogue dials. If it can run at 60 frames per second (which isn't too difficult with modern graphic processing power) and it has no noticeable delay then I'm good.

Jedidiah > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 14:55

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I'd be afraid the screen would eventually break or be damaged by the sun over time and then be impossible to replace with something that looks or performs as good. I do like the idea or open-source software for the gauges, but I'm afraid the hardware will be the issue with digital displays.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 14:55

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Well, i'm ok with this.
Afterall the display technology has improve massively over the year.

I mean, those crazy bastard can cram a Full HD resoulition to 5" display. But still, i love analogs.

And that brings another question:
Why not both like my CLS?

M54B30 > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 15:06

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I think I would hate my gas and temp gauge being in a different spot all the time. When you drive a BMW, you learn to watch the coolant temp closely.

PardonMyFlemish16 > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 15:20

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I am OK with mechanical gauges, along with knobs and switches for my HVAC and ICE controls. I will be happy to make the switch when mechanical gauges become more expensive than digital displays (which is probably not too far away)

Sinanigans > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 15:33

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I'm just waiting for a programmer to reprogram custom gauges. You change to display, colors, the layout, text, etc. I still like old mechanical gauges but as long as the new ones are smooth and fast, I don't think I mind

Big Bubba Ray > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 15:39

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Analog gauges are nice and all, but I can't say I will miss them. I think digital gauges are the tits!

LeadfootYT > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French 01/26/2014 at 15:57

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It baffles me why this is so hard for manufacturers to handle. Having driven (literally) every full-size SUV currently offered for sale in the US at my job as a ski resort valet, I've seen tons of new digital displays. Some of them are good (Mercedes' backup camera path-tracking has improved huge from 2013 to 2014), but others (like that in the Range Rover) are simply appalling - far too slow. Granted, most consumers of these cars aren't going to look at their gauges for anything but fuel (not even speed, given that they're from NY/NJ/CT), but having driven a pre-production RR Supercharged for a couple hours in an offroad terrain estate, it's woefully ineffective and downright frustrating.

BadMotorScooter > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French 01/26/2014 at 15:58

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Agreed, the performance has to be there. And from what I have seen so far it is. I am sure it will only improve though. I am thinking of the day when even the most basic car come with a digital display and the idea of a sweeping mechanical needle will seem like a carburetor or vinyl record.

BadMotorScooter > Singhjr96 01/26/2014 at 15:58

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I had read that about the LFA and I can see how that could be true. F1 cars have had digital tachs for years, I would guess for the same reason.

thebigbossyboss > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 16:00

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I have a liquid crystal odometer. I wish it was analog, because the crystals don't display properly.

BadMotorScooter > PardonMyFlemish16 01/26/2014 at 16:01

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The capacitive touch controls are still finicky and I can see how a physical button or knob will still be the most effective solution. Maybe with improvement voice recognition will be primary, but for some things I think a knob or button will always be best.

BadMotorScooter > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 01/26/2014 at 16:04

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That is a good idea, and I bet we see more of these hybrid analog/digital combinations. But I think eventually they will be all digital. Especially as the benefits of customization become more of an in demand or luxury feature.

I think at some point the digital displays will be less expensive and reduce complexity in design and assembly, so manufacturers will use them in all models.

BadMotorScooter > Sinanigans 01/26/2014 at 16:05

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I agree, and that's why I found the open source agreement so interesting. I wonder what open source components are used and/or the OS that the display runs on.

BadMotorScooter > M54B30 01/26/2014 at 16:07

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What if you could control the gauge size, type and placement, and also set alarms or warnings for different temps. Like a custom scan gauge but integrated into the primary display. I think this is where the tech is going.

BadMotorScooter > Jedidiah 01/26/2014 at 16:09

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I trust (hope) that these have been tested well enough to withstand sub zero and 150+ degree days. They have an advantage of relatively easy replacement if the screen fails. And also the benefit of software upgradeability over time, if it is a software issue.

Biodegradable Wiring Harness > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 16:19

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I'm generally cool with digital, but I would prefer an analog tach. Or something very similar to one. A needle moving horizontally just isn't easy to see clearly when you're keeping your eyes on the road. Adding some rotation as with an analog needle, makes it much easier to read. Of course with an LCD display you could have something even better, like a tach that changes rotation, size and color.

I'll just add that in the 80's people though analog was going to disappear. But people still prefer analog watches, and they probably prefer analog gauges for the same reason. Aesthetics.

Biodegradable Wiring Harness > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French 01/26/2014 at 16:22

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Good point. My 3-series heads up display speedometer has a lot of lag. Seems like about a full second. Why? I have no idea. I'm a software developer, and it's baffling to me.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 16:22

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Well, that's true.

I think one day there'll be an article about the last car with analog dials.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 16:45

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I like them if they're done right. One thing I do particularly love is the way BMW M cars are doing it now. The whole IP is a giant super-high res LCD screen...but the needles and the ring around the "tach" and "speedo" areas are physical, that's it. The CTS display is awesome, so is the Aventador's, the LFA's tach, and a few others. However, the Land Rover displays are awful...they look like what some dude from about 1999 thought all digital IPs should look like. The one in the new S-Class isn't much better, it also looks extremely weird and cheap, again like it was designed in the 90s. It's my least favorite part of the whole car. But generally I agree with you.

Interestingly enough, this kind of opens a whole new door for interior design. Having someone that can do good UI/UX design as it relates to the IP is now going to be very important, and I am excited to see what various brands come up with, as much as I am scared that some won't get it at all and will totally fuck it up. "Skeumorphism" actually seems like a battle that will have to be fought on this front as well.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Jedidiah 01/26/2014 at 16:48

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I don't think that's really a worry...LCDs really should not be damaged by excessive sunlight. Not to mention they are always covered, and it's pretty easy to have an invisible UV-blocking layer over the top which I'm sure they all do anyway.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French 01/26/2014 at 16:50

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This is definitely something that needs to be talked about. Some have it right, some clearly don't. Just look at the current LR/Jag panels. They suck. They look extremely fake and cheap and you can practically see the jumps in the needles because either the refresh rate in the screen or the resolution of the steps aren't fine enough and it all looks very silly. Whereas the Aventador's screen really does look so smooth you can't even tell a difference. It can't be that hard. We have cheap TVs that refresh at like, 240 hz now.

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 17:11

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I like digital gauges, but if I had to choose I will take them over analog only if I can customize the shit out of them. What I want to see, how I want to see it.

Singhjr96 > BadMotorScooter 01/26/2014 at 17:35

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Oh what I would do for an LFA.

ubertakter > BadMotorScooter 01/30/2014 at 10:17

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Notice that the modern digital gauges emulate analog gauges (in other words the displays look "analog"). This line of thinking comes from moving over to digital displays in aircraft.

When digital displays were being developed for commercial aircraft, it was discovered that analog gauges were easier and faster to "read" (note the intentional quotation marks). When pilots had "a bunch of numbers" to look at, it was found the pilot had to study the gauge in order to understand the information it was trying to convey, which took longer. The analog format was easier to read in the sense that at one glance the pilots could tell if things were operating normally, but the probably could only give you an estimate of the actual reading/number.

While driving a car isn't as... intense... in normal situations, it's probably still easier to see where the needle points out of the corner of your eye without looking directly at the gauge.

As others have pointed out, being able to configure what gauges you want is pretty exciting. If manufacturers are making things open source, it will also be very interesting to see what kind of status indicators other people can come up with like a colored block that represents water temperature or a polygon that changes shape to represent speed. I'm sure someone already has crazier but still useful ideas.