Touch screen with irregular shapes, such as circular, curved, or polygonal) are increasingly being adopted in the automotive industry. Their growing popularity is closely tied to trends toward automotive intelligence, personalized design, and functional integration. The following is a detailed analysis and summary of the reasons:
1. Application scenarios for touch screen with irregular shapes in the automotive industry
(1) Center console display system: Traditional rectangular screens are difficult to adapt to the curved design of automotive interiors, while non-rectangular screens (such as curved or trapezoidal) can be seamlessly integrated into the instrument panel or center console, enhancing overall aesthetics and space utilization.
For example, the triangular center console screen in the Tesla Cybertruck aligns perfectly with the vehicle's angular design language.
(2) Digital instrument panels: touch screen with irregular shapes (such as fan-shaped or semi-circular screens) can be customized to fit the shape of the steering wheel or instrument panel cover, displaying key information such as speed and navigation without obstructing the driver's view.
(3) Passenger and rear-seat entertainment screens: Circular or elliptical screens can be integrated into seatbacks or door panels, providing entertainment control functions while reducing potential safety hazards from sharp edges for passengers.
(4) Air conditioning/function control panel: Small non-rectangular screens (such as knob screens or strip screens) replace physical buttons to enable touch interaction while retaining intuitive operation (e.g., circular screens simulate knobs for temperature adjustment).
(5) HUD (head-up display) and AR navigation: Non-rectangular projection screens can be adapted to the curved surface of the windshield to enhance the immersive experience of AR navigation information.
2. Core Reasons for the Popularity of Non-Rectangular Screens
(1) Design Flexibility and Interior Integration: Automotive interiors are trending toward streamlined, futuristic designs (e.g., electric vehicles), and non-rectangular screens can flexibly adapt to irregular spaces, breaking away from the mechanical feel of rectangular screens and improving overall visual harmony.
(2) Ergonomic Optimization: Screens can be customized to match the driver's line of sight and operating habits (e.g., curved screens angled toward the driver), reducing distractions while driving and improving safety.
(3) Differentiated Competition and Brand Recognition: Non-rectangular screens have become a signature design element for automakers to showcase technological sophistication (e.g., BYD's rotating screen, Audi's virtual cockpit curved screen), helping brands establish a unique identity.
(4) Improved Space Utilization: In compact interior spaces, non-traditional screens can bypass mechanical components (such as steering wheel shafts and air vents), maximizing the use of available areas.
(5) Functional Zoning and Interaction Innovation: Functional zones are distinguished by shape (e.g., circular screens dedicated to music control), reducing user learning costs; combined with pressure touch, gesture recognition, and other technologies, interaction experiences are enhanced.
(6) Lightweighting and material advancements: The maturity of flexible OLED and glass cutting technologies gives non-standard screens advantages in terms of cost, durability, and mass production feasibility.
3. Challenges and future trends
(1) Challenges:
Complex software development adaptation (requires UI optimization for non-standard resolutions);
Higher costs compared to traditional rectangular screens;
High reliability requirements (must withstand vehicle environment vibrations, temperature differences, etc.).
(2) Trends:
Increased customization: Deep collaboration with interior designers to achieve seamless integration of screen shapes with interior lines.
Technology integration: Combining non-rectangular screens with transparent displays, haptic feedback, and other technologies to further enhance the interactive experience.
Standardization: The industry may gradually establish universal design standards for non-rectangular screens to reduce development costs.
The rise of non-rectangular touchscreens in the automotive industry reflects the shift from “function-driven” to “experience-driven” design. Their core value lies in balancing aesthetics, human-machine interaction, and spatial efficiency. As technology matures and user demands evolve, non-rectangular screens may become a standard element in smart cockpit design.