Lucid Air Tech: A Deep Dive into the All-Electric Sedan

Lucid Air's In-Cabin Technology Unveiled

Following an eight-month period after the unveiling of the production-ready all-electric Air sedan, Lucid Motors has now detailed the advanced technology integrated within the vehicle’s cabin.

This includes the innovative curved 34-inch display, a secondary touchscreen interface, the sophisticated software foundation, integrated applications, and the inclusion of the Amazon Alexa voice assistant.

Lucid UX: A Focus on User Experience

Lucid’s proprietary Lucid User Experience, or Lucid UX, is designed to provide a comprehensive suite of technologies.

The goal is to cater to the needs of customers investing in vehicles priced from $80,000 to $169,000, all while maintaining a streamlined and intuitive interface.

“Our primary focus was on achieving ease of use and a minimal learning curve,” stated Derek Jenkins, Lucid’s head of design, in a recent discussion.

“We aimed for quick system responses and an overall sense of refinement.”

Design Philosophy: Elegance Over Complexity

Jenkins explained the design team’s intention to move away from overtly technical or futuristic aesthetics.

The aim was to create an interface that aligns with the brand’s identity and overall design principles.

The interior strikes a balance, avoiding the minimalist approach of vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

It also steers clear of the feature-rich, sometimes overwhelming, interiors found in certain German luxury cars.

The team sought to achieve an optimal level of technology integration – a “Goldilocks” solution.

Intuitive Design for All Users

“From the outset, I consistently emphasized to the team that I wanted my mother to be able to operate this car effortlessly on her first attempt,” Jenkins shared.

“Essential controls, such as lights and door locks, should be intuitively located on the left side, consistent with established conventions.”

Climate controls should be readily accessible on the lower screen, mirroring traditional layouts.

The design prioritizes intuitiveness and simplicity, while still offering advanced features and a scalable system.

Image Credits: Lucid Motors

This approach ensures a user-friendly experience for drivers and passengers alike.

The Vehicle's Hardware Components

The most prominent hardware feature within the vehicle is the curved 34-inch 5K display, often referred to as the glass cockpit, which is positioned slightly above the dashboard. However, this is not the sole noteworthy component. This integrated display is, in fact, comprised of three distinct screens unified under a single glass panel – a technique previously implemented by Mercedes-Benz in their 56-inch hyperscreen.

The leftmost screen functions as a touchscreen, housing core vehicle controls such as window defrosters, lighting adjustments, and wiper settings. It provides access to essential functionalities for the driver.

The central screen serves as the instrument cluster, displaying crucial information like vehicle speed and remaining battery range. A customizable widget on the right side of the instrument cluster can present various data points, including navigation details or current media playback.

Furthermore, the instrument cluster indicates the activation status of the advanced driver assistance system. This ensures the driver is aware of the system’s operational state.

To the right of the steering wheel, a secondary touch display, designated the “home screen” by Lucid, manages navigation, media playback, and communication features. This centralizes infotainment controls for easy access.

Below and towards the center console resides another curved screen, termed the “pilot panel.” This screen governs climate control and seat functions, including massage capabilities, alongside other vehicle settings. Users can swipe menus from the home screen down to the pilot panel for detailed control over music or navigation.

Should the driver prefer, the pilot panel can be retracted, revealing a storage compartment behind it. This offers flexibility in cabin organization.

Despite the extensive use of touchscreens, analog switches are retained in three areas: the doors, the steering wheel, and a section between the pilot panel and the upper home screen. These provide tactile control for frequently used functions.

The doors house window switches and interior door latches. Above the center console display, four physical buttons allow for direct adjustment of climate temperature and fan speed. These offer a quick and intuitive alternative to touchscreen controls.

Image Credits: Lucid Motors

The steering wheel incorporates a touch bar and two toggles. These controls activate the Alexa voice assistant, engage/disengage advanced driver assistance functions, adjust cruise control following distance, and manage volume. They provide convenient access to key features while driving.

“Our research into both analog and digital interaction revealed that certain functionalities were still preferred with physical controls,” Jenkins explained. This highlights the importance of balancing technology with user preference.

The vehicle is equipped with 32 sensors, including a single lidar unit positioned below the nose blade. A lower air intake and forward-facing radar are located beneath the lidar. Additional radar sensors are situated on the exterior corners, complemented by exterior cameras in the nose and header area.

A driver-facing camera, located below the instrument cluster, forms part of the driver-monitoring system. This system ensures the operator remains attentive when the advanced driver assistance system is active. It prioritizes safety and responsible use of automated features.

The vehicle boasts a 21-speaker surround sound system from Dolby Atmos. Additionally, the air vents feature a retro-inspired design reminiscent of the Mazda Miata, offering a tactile experience unlike the Tesla Model 3’s digital airflow controls.

Lucid opted for physical air vents that users can directly manipulate, rather than relying solely on touchscreen adjustments. The vents utilize a slimmed-down design with a central round dial for airflow direction and on/off control.

“This design was a significant achievement for us,” Jenkins remarked with a laugh, “though it’s not groundbreaking, as this approach was common in cars from the 1960s and 70s.”

The Software Powering Lucid Vehicles

The functionality and services experienced through Lucid’s touchscreens and sensors are driven by sophisticated software at its core.

Lucid’s development began with the Android Automotive OS, an open-source platform. From this foundation, the company engineered its unique applications and features.

Android Automotive OS shares its lineage with Google’s widely-used Android mobile operating system, both being built upon the Linux kernel.

For several years, Google has provided an open-source iteration of this OS to automotive manufacturers.

Increasingly, automakers are collaborating with Google to integrate Android OS natively, pre-loaded with Google applications and services like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store.

However, Lucid opted not to pursue the full Google services integration path.

Third-Party App Integration

Instead, Lucid focused on integrating a selection of third-party applications directly into the vehicle’s infotainment system.

Currently, this includes popular services such as iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, Dolby Atmos, Tidal, and Spotify.

This approach allows Lucid to offer a diverse range of entertainment and information options.

Voice Control and Smartphone Integration

Lucid has chosen Alexa as the default and primary voice control system within the vehicle.

Furthermore, the Lucid Air will support both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

These applications mirror smartphone interfaces onto the vehicle’s display, enabling wireless connectivity.

While Google Assistant and Siri can be accessed through these mirrored apps, they will not directly control vehicle functions like the climate control system.

Over-the-Air Updates

The vehicle is equipped with integrated mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity.

This connectivity facilitates over-the-air (OTA) software updates, allowing Lucid to remotely enhance the vehicle’s capabilities.

OTA updates enable the addition of new applications and services, ensuring the vehicle remains current with the latest features.

Future Developments for Lucid Air

According to Jenkins, the company is actively exploring the expansion of content available through the vehicle's infotainment system.

This includes the potential integration of gaming applications and video streaming services, though access to these features would be restricted to when the car is stationary.