Lexus Interface: A Quick Preview of Lexus’ Next-Gen Infotainment System
The next-gen Lexus Interface multimedia system debuts in the upcoming 2022 Lexus NX.
Toyota Motor North America introduced its latest infotainment system — Lexus Interface — earlier last month. Designed to deliver “a more personalized and intelligent in-vehicle experience,” the system debuts in the 2022 Lexus NX in the last quarter of this year.
TMNA Connected Technologies’ executive chief engineer and vice president, Charan Lota shared his thoughts on the new system. “With the new multimedia system, we focused on the needs and wants of the customer and what would enable a more seamless and enjoyable experience on the road,” said Lota. He further added, “We brought multiple groups from electrical engineering to software development and business planning together into one team with one common goal – enhancing the in-vehicle experience.”
Lexus designed the system to offer five times more processing power than its predecessor. The system was developed completely in-house by Toyota North America, and its new navigation system now gets 100% cloud capability that makes the system more accurate and faster. The multimedia solution also comes equipped with a new Human Machine Interface (HMI) that gets unique North American animation, improved graphical user interface (GUI), and voice interface.
The new system will be available in screen sizes ranging from 8 to 14 inches. The multimedia interface also gets rotator dials and knobs that customers can use to regulate volume and temperature. Here are some other features of the new multimedia system:
- Virtual Assistant (VA): Equipped with voice recognition (with natural language understanding), customers can easily interact with the new virtual assistant thanks to Toyota’s voice-first approach using simple phrases like “hey/hi/hello/okay”. The system is also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- User Profiles: Customers can personalize any vehicle with the new multimedia system using individual user profiles that are stored on a cloud.
- Digital Key: Using the Lexus or Toyota app, customers can use the digital key feature to lock/unlock/start/stop the vehicle. Customers can also share access to their vehicle to up to seven guest users at a time.
- Over the Air (OTA): This feature will allow real-time updates as it enables the team to develop the “software in smaller more manageable pieces”.
- Safety Connect: Automatically notifies authorities in case of vehicle theft and also connects drivers to emergency services when needed.
- Service Connect: Customers can subscribe to this service to receive health and maintenance updates about their vehicle via the smartphone app.
“With this new system we are jumping into the future, from larger touchscreens up to 14 inches to having a 100% cloud-navigation for more accurate and faster directions, we are thrilled to deliver this amazing and connected experience to our Toyota and Lexus guests,” said Steve Basra, group vice president, TMNA Connected Technologies.
He further added, “We want all of our customers to experience this in-vehicle advancement, and that is why this system will eventually be offered across our vehicle line-up – regardless of screen size or model grade. This is another first in company history.”
Image Source: Toyota
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