Cadillac CUE: Intuitive driving in 2012

General Motors' Cadillac division is hoping to lead the way in intuitive multimedia systems, with the launch of its ‘Cadillac User Experience' (CUE) system, which is set to make is official debut at the forthcoming LA auto show.

The product of nearly four years research and development, the CUE project began in 2008 when Cadillac designers rode with 32 consumers for six months to study driver habits. The result is a ‘comprehensive in-vehicle experience that mergers intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data'.

What this translates into is a system that will sync with up to ten individual Bluetooth enabled mobile devices, USB drives, SD cards and MP3 players within the car and relay all the information through a central command unit. The system's raison d'etre is to reduce the complexity of multi-connected devices by providing simplified menus, commands and buttons. The systems maps and menus utilize larger icons and a ‘natural' voice command system compliments the visuals.

Cadillac cites that most large luxury cars have around 20 buttons controlling the radio alone; through with CUE this number has dropped to just four.

The epicenter of CUE is the eight-inch LCD touch screen that is integrated into the top of the central instrument panel and a motorized faceplate beneath this that conceals a 1.8-liter storage area. The large LCD screen displays the CUE's home page, designed to resemble a smart phone's screen by using the large icons to execute commands and access sub-menus.

"CUE is a very elegant in-vehicle hub of all the information and entertainment in your life. All of CUE's controls use the same design vernacular to create a harmony unique to Cadillac," said Dave Lyon, executive director, Cadillac Interior Design. "Vibrant colors, a piano black face plate, precision-milled buttons, intuitive touch screen placement and sculpted front console provide a spacious, fashion-forward cabin."

By John O'Brien