The application of Model-Based Design has been well established, documented, and highly refined practice for the development of embedded control systems like those used for power train or chassis controls.
Model-Based Design, when applied to in-vehicle electronic systems with human-machine interface (HMI) elements, presents unique challenges and opportunities.
Historically, development of the software to drive audio, climate control, navigation or other driver facing functions in a vehicle have been developed with traditional processes. These could include textural requirements and hand coding or application of structured design and analysis tools followed by hand coding. Production of the first working prototype using these traditional methods is much longer than with Model-Based Design. This is an emerging trend in the automotive body electronics design community.
This paper will describe the key design elements of the new HMI concept being developed and the development process used to produce a working prototype. Some key advantages of Model-Based Design for demonstration system development will be addressed. The next process steps to move the demonstration towards production will also be discussed.