From concept to production: automotive HMI design built on 10+ years of real vehicle program experience.
Our vehicle HMI services
Modern vehicles are digital, but outdated or poor HMIs cause distraction, frustration, and brand risk.
- 65% of drivers report distraction when interacting with vehicle interfaces.
- 1 in 3 drivers report infotainment usability issues.
- ~40 % of buyers would switch brands for smarter in‑car connectivity and digital features if the alternative offered a better digital experience.
With over 10 years of experience dealing with these challenges in automotive HMI development, we partner with leading OEMs to deliver intuitive and well-integrated in-vehicle interfaces. Our approach combines user-centered design with strong engineering practices, while closely following ISO 26262 guidelines and Automotive SPICE (ASPICE) processes to deliver safe automotive software products.
Digital cockpit design
We can fully develop a digital cockpit complete with steering-based controls, voice recognition, navigation features, digital instrument clusters, HUDs,
and more.
Digital instrument cluster design
We can create and update customisable digital instrument clusters that can be operated via touch controls, the joystick, a mobile app, or the driver’s voice.
In-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system design
Bamboo Apps can deliver efficient in-car infotainment systems that support a variety of apps to make the driving experience more enjoyable.
HUD design
Bamboo Apps can develop software for heads-up displays that minimises distraction by showcasing key data directly in the driver’s line of view for safety purposes.
Rear seat display design
We can create high-quality solutions for rear seat displays that are perfect for supplying vehicle information and entertainment to the passengers.
HMI apps development
We can build IVI apps from scratch or adapt your existing solutions for safe use in vehicles. We create apps for Android Automotive OS or OEM’s proprietary system, all following Google Material Design principles and Apple Human Interface Guidelines.
How we approach automotive HMI design
- Understanding the driving context
- Multi-modal interaction design
- Emulator-based testing before production
- Ready for production design
Vehicle interfaces operate in a dynamic environment where driver attention is limited and safety is critical. To guarantee information is delivered clearly and without distraction we always analyse real driving scenarios, cognitive load, and interaction timing. When working with platforms like Android Automotive OS, we also account for platform-specific safety constraints to make sure the application is approved by the Google team.
Modern cockpits combine multiple interaction channels: touch, voice, physical controls, clusters, and HUDs. Special attention is paid to consistent interaction patterns across displays, so there are clear information hierarchy, optimised touch targets, and seamless transitions between cluster, center display, and HUD.
To create interfaces that perform reliably in real driving situations, we validate HMIs through our in-house emulators, built on Polestar, Stapp Automotive, and TomTom systems. This way we can catch issues early before deployment in real vehicles.
We build modular and scalable HMI architectures that support new services, updates, and easy feature expansion. These solutions are focused on user experience and consider all relevant regulations to allow series implementation (ISO2575, signals placement according to ASIL, etc).
Looking for HMI design and development experts?
Our automotive HMI tech stack
HMI frameworks
- QT
- Kanzi
Languages
- C
- C#
- C++
Operating systems
- Android Automotive OS (AAOS)
- Linux
- QNX
- AGL (Automotive-Grade Linux)
Why choose our services?
Chosen by industry leaders
Since 2015, Bamboo Apps has been working with the Jaguar Land Rover team, Škoda, Mitsubishi Electric, Zurich Insurance, Gentherm, and other big names on their automotive software.
Strong automotive expertise
10 years of industry experience and 50+ ASPICE-trained experts on board. Automotive SPICE is a framework used to assess an ability of an automotive software team to deliver products reliably and effectively.
Award-winning automotive UX design
We boast a team of UX experts, nominated by the UX Design Awards for excellence in product design.
Clients’ thoughts about working with us
Frequently asked questions
How do you ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations?
We follow ISO 26262 standards, including ASIL-based safety requirements, and align our processes with ASPICE for automotive projects. Our teams understand OEM and Tier-1 compliance expectations and support validation and review throughout the development lifecycle. During design, we apply checklists, design reviews, and validation steps to ensure layouts, controls, alerts, and user flows meet regulatory standards. Before release, we conduct final compliance and safety reviews to confirm the HMI performs correctly in both normal and critical scenarios.
How do you approach HMI design for harsh or constrained environments (gloves, low light, vibration)?
We design for real-world conditions such as gloves, vibration, low visibility, and limited user attention. Interfaces may use high contrast, large interaction elements, and simplified navigation to guarantee reliability under stress.
Check our recent posts and resources about HMI development
Looking for a vehicle HMI development partner?
Get in touch to discuss your needs or request a quote.
Natalia Minayeva
Strategic Partnerships
Executive
Executive