Hyundai blends analog touches with digital tech in modern car interiors
Cars are increasingly like gadgets on wheels, packed with steering wheels, wheels, seats, and a growing array of screens. Yet Hyundai’s design chief Hak Soo Ha believes there is still room for simple, analog elements to coexist with high tech. This balance aims to keep driving intuitive even as digital systems expand.
At the Canadian International Auto Show, Ha discussed Hyundai’s retro-inspired concepts such as the Pony and the N Vision 74 to illustrate how designers can fuse digital and analog functions. The goal is to spark conversations about how future interiors can honor tactile, human-centered design while incorporating cutting-edge technology.
Hyundai pony
“Just before the Canadian Auto Show we had showcased vehicles for CES and autonomous driving projects. If you remove the steering wheel and related control systems, the space looks almost like a camper trailer,” Ha explained. “I want to bring more car interiors and overall design thinking into the conversation.”
As a designer, Ha is naturally drawn to new products and understands the need to stay informed about emerging technologies. But he cautions that technology alone should not drive the creative process.
“A car designer also has to account for the human factor: ergonomics and safety. People rely on familiar habits, so changing something abruptly can confuse them. In emergencies, confusion can lead to panic, so every design choice must consider how people will actually respond.”
Ha believes the blend of innovation and retro should feel seamless, with technology enhancing usability rather than complicating it. The aim is an interior that remains accessible, even as features evolve.
Photo: Carscoops.com