Interview with Robin Warner, Program Manager and Judge 10 Best UX/Interiors at WardsAuto

Q: What emerging trends in automotive technology do you believe will have the most significant impact on the industry in the next five years?

We’ve seen steady progress in automated driving as well as different, lower cost approaches to hands-free driving on certain interstates and highways. But I believe advances in batteries will stand out as an exciting technology to make it to the automobile. More specifically, solid-state batteries. If any manufacturer can mount a solid-state battery into one of its production models and offer much higher energy density than what we currently see, that will explode electric vehicle viability for a much larger portion of the North American population.

Electric vehicles already offer a lot of objective advantages over traditional internal combustion power. Solid state battery technology would truly mitigate the few remaining drawbacks.

Q: The WardsAuto 10 Best Interiors & UX winners for 2026 will be showcased at AutoTech this year. What common features are there amongst the vehicle lineup and are there any emerging trends you have noticed in interior design and UX technology?

We see a bit of emotion and mood setting brought back into interiors. As vehicles sense the key fob approaching, head and/or tail lights will run through a lighting sequence, electric door handles will extend out, and the interior lights up. As you open the door, especially at night, ambient light illuminates the cabin in both a pleasing and adjustable ways. From there, the now ubiquitous screens on the dash run through a short animation.

These traits have become quite common place and not just for premium brands, or high-end models. Nearly every car that arrived at our office for review enjoyed some kind of ambient light and welcoming sequence. It’s a nice way to add a bit of art and creativity back into the car.

Q: How are infotainment systems evolving to meet the unique demands of electric and autonomous vehicles?

Generally speaking, they grew, both in size and scope. And that’s across the board, internal combustion engines, hybrids, and EVs. For example, all types enjoy more and larger screens throughout the cabin. No longer just center displays, but digital instrument clusters, passenger side screens, even screens for the second row. They are used to access audio options, HVAC, seat adjustments, and the like.

For EVs specifically, clearly displaying charging status while plugged-in is becoming more common. We also see a variety of infographics that display charge status while driving, how and where torque is applied to the drive wheels, and energy recovery while braking. But, again, much of that applies to hybrid technology as well.

On the autonomous side, we see more detailed graphics that display what the vehicle itself sees on the road. The best systems display three-lanes of traffic showing the driver what the car sees in front of it and on either side. Clearer, more detailed images displaying what the car sees on the road, gives the driver more confidence that the car can make appropriate decisions when in an automated driving state, be that a simple adaptive cruise control all the way to a sustained hands-free driving system.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges automakers face in balancing cutting-edge technology with ease of use and comfort?

Intuitive placement of controls that allow the driver to easily make adjustments without distraction. It’s tempting to make everything adjustable via haptic touchpads and “buttons” to control everything on a car. But the truth remains that a volume knob and tuning knob still does the job as effortlessly and effectively as anything. Furthermore, as an example, we want to have a set of controls dedicated to adjusting the sideview mirrors, not a three-layers-deep sub-menu setting to change it on the center display.

Automakers get tempted to reduce cost by reduces buttons, switches, and knobs. But drivers tend to like all the buttons and switches and knobs. Ease of use means minimal intellectual energy required to adjust settings on the fly. Finally, not all technology requires a microchip. Sometimes good, analog technology really improve a car’s user experience.

Q: The AutoTech & Wards 10 Best Awards will be celebrating the visionaries and breakthrough technologies shaping the future of connected mobility. What do you hope attendees take away from the awards ceremony?

Cars continue to evolve and more completely intertwine into our connected lives. The more seamlessly and intuitively they do it, the better. But, and this is a big but, cars also offer an escape from our connected lives. A small space where the driver holds controls over the temperature, the sound, the seating arrangement, even the scenery going by. I hope attendees see that modern cars offer both: a place to stay connected on the go and a way to disconnect for a while and take you to your own desired destination.