Piëch signs digital cockpit development deal with Incari
14 December 2021
Swiss luxury carmaker Piëch Automotive’s first electrically-chargeable vehicle (EV) will use software designed by German company Incari. The user-friendly human-machine interface (HMI) developer claims its software updates the digital dashboard system much faster than its rivals.
Piëch Automotive was founded in Zurich in 2016 by Toni Piëch – the great-grandson of Porsche founder Ferdinand Porsche – and Rea Stark Rajcic. Since then, the company has built a first working prototype, a two-seater electric sports car, dubbed the Piëch GT.
The young Swiss company has formed a development partnership with Incari to update software components, such as the design of its infotainment system, within minutes. Incari prides itself on using software that takes a 3D-first approach, especially in combination with augmented reality. It promises a reduction in HMI development times of up to 70%, with lower personnel requirements and higher quality.
Revolutionising HMI
‘The user experience is a key factor in the success of our vehicle. From a business perspective, however, I would also like to emphasise the revolutionary character of our efficient and high-performance development concept,’ said Toni Piëch, CEO of Piëch Automotive.
‘The partnership with Incari has enabled us to accomplish what the vast majority of manufacturers – especially the very large and established ones – have failed to achieve until now: smart, a software-based collaboration between designers and engineers at a very early stage.’
Incari has set itself the goal of revolutionising the HMI process. For the Piëch GT, the Berlin-based tech company relied on its in-house software platform, Incari Studio, with its intuitive visual user interface.
What is unique about the software is that it is able to design complex interfaces in 3D that can be utilised by users without programming or coding knowledge. In effect, this bypasses the need to refer back and forth with software engineers to change designs or make edits. Hence, its huge time-saving factor appeals to designers and developers, particularly during the early stages of prototype development.
Quick updates
‘The Piëch GT digital cockpit is impressive in every respect,’ said Osman Dumbuya, founder and CEO of Incari. ‘It marks a new benchmark in the industry. But we are equally proud of the process. The extremely fast, lean, and efficient development of the entire HMI system has confirmed all the advantages of our software solution.’
‘Using the conventional development methods, changing the design of just one element often takes up to 14 days and involves a five-figure sum. With Incari Studio [software], changes can be made in a matter of minutes,’ added Dumbuya. He revealed that the HMI development for the Piëch GT was completed by just three creatives in six months.
Manufacturers are increasingly investing in top-end software as competition heats up, with new entrants wading into the market and causing disruption. Piëch said it is the first carmaker to use this software at scale. Incari is testing prototypes with additional European transport firms, although it did not provide any names.
