University of Michigan School of Information students are in the driver’s seat this semester in SI 311.150: Automotive UX, as they tackle a design challenge that comes straight from industry. 

Representatives from leading global automaker Stellantis visited the course, taught by lecturer Jim Rampton, to share trends in automotive UX design and present a design scenario to students. 

“The vehicle itself has more lines of code than anybody’s cell phone,” said Jason Monroe, chief UX designer of core interactions at Stellantis. “It has a lot of intelligence, but we’re really not expressing that to its full potential.”

Monroe shared that AI is a disruptor in automotive UX, enabling new trends and technologies to emerge — including enhanced connectivity, voice and gesture controls, driver personalization and in-car design that creates a sense of calmness. 

Christine Montalbano, in-vehicle interaction designer at Stellantis, presented a challenge to students: Design an AI-powered in-vehicle infotainment system that allows for multiple modes of interaction between the user and the vehicle.

This semester, students in SI 311.150 will have the opportunity to design one of the following: 

• A system that improves safety and convenience by incorporating voice and gesture controls
• A smart energy management system to optimize EV battery performance
• An AI-driven predictive maintenance system that minimizes downtime and reduces repair costs

“User experience is the bond between user and technology,” Monroe shared with the class as a closing sentiment, and UMSI students got to experience this bond for themselves. 

Stellantis Auto UX Showcase

UMSI students get a look at the cutting edge of auto UX during a test vehicle showcase and campus visit by Stellantis. (Photos by Jeffrey Smith)

Lecturer Jim Rampton (right) chats with students.

For inspiration, they left the lecture hall and headed to Ingalls Mall, where Stellantis had assembled an auto UX showcase with Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep test vehicles that represent the latest in automotive UX design. 

UMSI alum Stephanie Balagot (MSI ’16), project manager in the UX studio at Stellantis, walked students through the vehicles’ features as they took turns sitting behind the wheel. 

“I was really excited to come back and tell people about what we do,” Balagot said. “I’m passionate about helping people learn what their options are.” She noted that many UX design students are unaware of the opportunities available in automotive UX, a growing field with exciting career potential. 

Shamita Rao and Farzana Chowdhury, both first-year Master of Science in Information students, learned about the showcase in another class they’re taking with Rampton. They had no previous exposure to automotive UX design but spent time exploring the vehicles’ features and asking questions. They said they lingered in one of the vehicles for a very good reason: massage chairs. 

“After looking at all of this, I’m more interested in taking the auto UX class next semester,” Rao said. “We didn’t actually know too much about it, and it’s really interesting.” 

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