Designing the autonomous vehicle of the future requires an array of the best technical talent available: automobile and software engineers, experts on sensor technology and artificial intelligence, computer scientists, production specialists and many others.
But one profession you might not expect to find at the design table  — an anthropologist  —  is playing a key role in developing Nissan’s next generation autonomous vehicle, analyzing human driving interactions to ensure that it is prepared to be a “good citizen” on the road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zZ2h2MRCe0
“Car technology is continuing to evolve and change,” said Melissa Cefkin, principal scientist and design anthropologist at the Nissan Research Center in Silicon Valley. “And now, we’re adding this autonomous dimension to it that will bring around further changes in society, all the way down to the everyday way in which we interact and behave on the road.”
While the term anthropologist may conjure up names like Claude Levi-Strauss, Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson, Cefkin represents a decidedly modern branch of the field. She is a corporate and design anthropologist specializing in ethnography  —  which is the systematic study of people and cultures from the viewpoint of the subject.
In the case of autonomous vehicles, Cefkin said that means taking a fresh look at how humans interact with “a deeply and profoundly cultural object”  —  the automobile  —  and gaining insights into how new technologies might interpret or act on those behaviors.
“(With autonomous vehicles), if there’s someone in the driver’s seat, that person may not be physically driving the car,” said Cefkin. “And in the future, we may go all the way to driverless so that there may not even be somebody in the driver’s seat.”
Cefkin and the other members of her team are focused on the third milestone in Nissan’s autonomous vehicle program  —  development of the capability for the vehicle to navigate city driving and intersections without driver intervention.
That system is expected to be introduced in 2020, following the release in July 2016 of the first of Nissan’s autonomous drive technologies, known as “ProPILOT,” an autonomous drive technology designed for highway use in single-lane traffic, and a “multiple-lane” application that can autonomously negotiate hazards and change lanes during highway driving, due in 2018.
When Cefkin joined Nissan in March 2015 after stints at IBM, Sapient Corp. and Silicon Valley’s influential Institute for Research on Learning, she and her team immediately began documenting not just interactions in the city involving drivers, but also those between vehicles and pedestrians, bicyclists and road features.
“We’re trying to distill out of our work some key lessons for what an autonomous vehicle will need to know  —  what it perceives in the world and then how it can make sense, make judgments and behave itself to be able to interact effectively in those different systems,” said Cefkin.
Cefkin cited four-way intersections with stop signs as a “problematic and incredibly interesting” situation her team examined closely.
“What happens at a four-way stop – it’s open to a lot of interpretation,” she explained. “Yeah, I’m supposed to stop, (but) once I’ve stopped it doesn’t tell me when to go again, so that’s up to me to figure out.”
Initial learnings from the study show that drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists often use “eye gaze” and forms of “direct communications,” such as a hand wave, “to give off very clear signals about their intentions” in such situations, Cefkin said.
“We are working at the heart, the guts of the core technology and bringing insights and the kind of understanding that we have about human practices and human experience right into the fundamental design of the system,” said Cefkin.
That led to early planning on how an autonomous vehicle might communicate its next move, one vision of which was presented in the IDS Concept car.
Cefkin said that some features depicted in the video may end up closely resembling those of Nissan’s autonomous vehicles in the next decade  —  like a light that “acknowledges” the presence of a pedestrian. The team is also exploring how to communicate the car’s intention in situations where “multiple agents”  –  say numerous pedestrians or bicyclists  –  are present. The key would be how to communicate what the vehicle is doing – like stopping, waiting, yielding, about to go, going, things like that –” in a way that would be interpreted in the same way by everyone.
Cefkin said such studies demonstrate the wisdom of having anthropologists involved in the earliest stages of vehicle design, rather than making adjustments later in the product cycle as some other automakers have done.
“What’s different for us is we are working at the heart, the guts of the core technology and bringing insights and the kind of understanding that we have about human practices and human experience right into the fundamental design of the system,” said Cefkin.
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General Motors is rolling out new over-the-air software updates that improve the infotainment experience with a redesigned interface, enhanced personalization and easier-to-use controls across eligible Cadillac models.
The latest GM infotainment software update introduces a wide range of enhancements designed to make the in-vehicle experience more intuitive and personalized. Developed using customer feedback, the new features improve navigation, media controls, seating preferences and charging functions while delivering a cleaner and more responsive interface.
Moreover, the updates are arriving through over-the-air software downloads, allowing eligible Cadillac owners to receive new functionality without visiting a dealership.
Smarter Audio Controls and Easier Navigationdia playback.
Drivers can now view an upcoming playlist through a new side queue, making it easier to see which songs will play next. Additionally, a new drop-down source selector allows users to switch between music apps and audio sources with fewer taps, creating a faster and more seamless listening experience.
Furthermore, larger touch targets throughout the interface reduce accidental presses and make frequently used controls easier to access.
GM’s updated infotainment interface features improved media controls and larger touch targets.
Personalized Driver Profiles and Comfort Settings
The GM infotainment software update also expands personalization features.
Drivers can now link two user profiles to the vehicle’s memory seat buttons. With a single press, both the preferred seating position and the driver’s personalized profile are restored automatically. The feature will debut on the 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ before expanding to additional GM models.
Meanwhile, seat adjustment graphics have been redesigned to match the physical controls located on the vehicle’s doors. As a result, changing comfort settings becomes more intuitive and visually consistent.
Additionally, the charging application now features clearer labels and descriptions, making charging options easier to understand.
Updated driver profiles automatically restore personalized seating and infotainment settings.
Better Connectivity and Improved Display Quality
GM has also refined several everyday features to improve convenience.
The latest software includes sharper Head-Up Display graphics, making important driving information easier to read. Furthermore, Bluetooth pairing has been simplified by removing an extra confirmation step, allowing devices to connect more quickly.
These refinements contribute to a smoother user experience while reducing unnecessary interactions with the infotainment system.
Eligible Cadillac Models Receive Over-the-Air Updates
The new GM infotainment software update is being released gradually through over-the-air updates.
Eligible vehicles include:
- 2025 Cadillac LYRIQ
- 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ
- 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ
- 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ
- 2025 Cadillac VISTIQ
- 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ
- 2025 Cadillac CT5
- 2026 Cadillac CT5
GM confirmed that additional software improvements will continue rolling out over the coming months as updates become available.
Eligible Cadillac models receive the latest infotainment improvements through over-the-air software updates.
Future Updates Will Expand the Experience
General Motors has already outlined additional enhancements planned for future releases.
Upcoming updates will introduce a redesigned home screen featuring a larger interactive navigation map alongside media controls. Drivers will also benefit from simplified widget customization, making it easier to personalize the dashboard layout with just a few taps.
Overall, these software improvements demonstrate GM’s continued focus on enhancing the digital driving experience through regular over-the-air updates, delivering new features that improve usability, convenience and personalization without requiring new hardware.
Mitsubishi has revealed new charging details for the 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV, confirming NACS compatibility, fast charging capabilities and flexible home charging options ahead of its North American launch.
The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV is taking another step toward its North American debut with new details about its charging technology. Mitsubishi has confirmed that every version of its upcoming electric crossover will feature multiple charging options, giving drivers greater flexibility whether charging at home or on the road.
Moreover, the new EV will arrive with direct access to one of the continent’s largest public charging networks.
Standard NACS Compatibility Across the Lineup
The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV will come standard with the North American Charging System (NACS) connector on every trim level.
This compatibility allows owners to access the growing Supercharger network without requiring additional hardware. Furthermore, the electric SUV supports DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, enabling the battery to recharge from 10% to 80% in approximately 35 minutes, depending on charging conditions.
As a result, Mitsubishi aims to make long-distance travel more convenient for future Eclipse Sportback EV owners.
The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV will feature standard NACS charging compatibility across the lineup.
Flexible Home Charging Solutions
In addition to DC fast charging, Mitsubishi is equipping the Eclipse Sportback EV with a J1772 connector for Level 1 and Level 2 charging.
This setup allows owners to recharge the battery at home or through thousands of public AC charging stations across North America. Consequently, drivers will have multiple charging solutions depending on their daily needs.
Additionally, Mitsubishi says the vehicle’s charging performance may vary depending on battery temperature, ambient conditions and charger output.
A J1772 connector will support both Level 1 and Level 2 home charging.
A Key Model in Mitsubishi’s EV Expansion
The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV plays an important role in the company’s Momentum 2030 strategy.
The sporty electric crossover features distinctive front and rear styling, signature lighting and Mitsubishi’s recognizable Triple Diamond branding. Meanwhile, the automaker plans to continue expanding its lineup, with an all-new off-road-oriented Outlander variant expected to follow in early 2027.
Therefore, the Eclipse Sportback EV represents another major milestone in Mitsubishi’s broader electrification plans for North America.
The Eclipse Sportback EV is a cornerstone of Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 electrification strategy.
2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV Expands Charging Convenience
The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV combines flexible charging solutions with modern electric vehicle technology to improve everyday usability.
Overall, standard NACS compatibility, fast DC charging and home charging capability position Mitsubishi’s newest electric crossover as an attractive option for drivers seeking greater charging convenience when it arrives in North America later this year.
Hyundai Motor Group has opened UX Studio Shanghai, a new research hub designed to study Chinese consumer behavior and shape the next generation of connected mobility worldwide.
Hyundai UX Studio Shanghai is the latest step in the automaker’s strategy to develop smarter and more connected mobility experiences. Located in one of China’s leading innovation centers, the new research hub will gather consumer insights and help transform them into future vehicle technologies for global markets.
Moreover, the facility strengthens Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to designing vehicles around real customer needs.
A New Center Focused on User Experience
The new Hyundai UX Studio Shanghai expands the company’s global user experience network, joining existing research centers in Seoul, Frankfurt and Irvine.
As a result, Hyundai can better understand how Chinese consumers interact with connected vehicles and digital technologies. The facility will also support the company’s “In China, For China, To Global” strategy by turning local innovations into worldwide solutions.
Furthermore, researchers will work directly with customers throughout the product development process.
Hyundai’s new UX Studio Shanghai will study consumer behavior to improve future mobility experiences.
Designed for the Era of Software-Defined Vehicles
As vehicles become increasingly software-driven, Hyundai believes customer experience is becoming just as important as performance.
Therefore, UX Studio Shanghai focuses on technologies such as connected ecosystems, voice interaction, intelligent interfaces and digital mobility services. In addition, the company expects local consumer feedback to influence future software-defined vehicles across its global lineup.
The new center also supports collaboration between engineers, designers and customers from the earliest development stages.
The research hub will help develop software-defined vehicles through customer collaboration.
Chinese Innovation Will Influence Global Products
Shanghai was selected because of its advanced technology ecosystem and rapidly evolving mobility market.
Meanwhile, Hyundai is partnering with leading academic institutions and local experts to better understand changing consumer behaviors. Research will cover a wide range of mobility scenarios, including family transportation, urban commuting and connected driving experiences.
Consequently, innovations developed in Shanghai will be shared across Hyundai’s worldwide research and development network.
Hyundai expects insights from Shanghai to shape future vehicles sold around the world.
Hyundai UX Studio Shanghai Strengthens Future Mobility Development
The Hyundai UX Studio Shanghai represents far more than a regional research center.
Overall, the new facility reinforces Hyundai Motor Group’s strategy of combining local innovation with global development. By placing Chinese consumer insights at the center of future product planning, the company aims to create smarter, more connected and more personalized mobility experiences for customers worldwide.
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