The infotainment system in the upcoming GMC Hummer EV will run off the renowned Unreal Engine, a gaming engine that powers a wide variety of modern-day video games.
Epic Games, the American developer responsible for the Unreal Engine, said this week that the GMC Hummer EV “will be the first vehicle to use Unreal Engine in its digital cockpit,” when it enters production in 2022.
The specifics of the system are being kept a secret until the October 20th debut of the GMC Hummer EV, although a video announcing the new partnership with General Motors provides a short glimpse of the battery-electric pickup truck’s main menu page. The menu screen (below) will have a black and orange theme with large, easy-to-read touch icons for the Audio, Navigation, Phone, Trailering and Camera pages, among more.
The Unreal Engine already had the capability to power a modern infotainment system thanks to its high degree of portability and ability to generate a wide variety of graphical elements. With this latest HMI initiative, though, Epic Games will work hand-in-hand with automakers like GM to develop advanced new interfaces using valuable input from the world of video game design. Epic Games says the Unreal Engine helps developers by allowing them to view their designs in real-time, with the ability to easily deploy an active project to an iOS or Android device for testing.
Some examples of HMI interfaces running on the Unreal Engine were also provided by Epic Games. These showed minimalist, Tesla-style interfaces for electric vehicles (below), displaying the car’s range, battery charge percentage and other infographics. The company says that the crisp visual effects and features of the system “have been hardened by game development,” and help give automotive designers “a robust set of tools to express creativity in their HMI designs.” This means the GMC Hummer EV may have some innovative digital interfaces, with the gaming-based engine giving GM more creative freedom when designing things like RPM and speed gauges and navigation screens.
Additionally, by tapping into the Unreal Engine, GM could potentially capitalize on the massive gaming ecosystem that also uses the engine, which may help attract younger demographics to its vehicles.
“Unreal Engine attracts an appealing young, entrepreneurial demographic that car companies can tap into simply by using the engine,” Epic Games says. “Popular globally played titles like vehicular soccer video game Rocket League offer a unique co-marketing ecosystem for automotive companies to capitalize on.”
The GMC Hummer EV, which has been described as the world’s first all-electric “supertruck” will make its official debut on October 20th.
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Comments
Sooo this is the UI layer on top of the Android based Infotainment system GM announced they would be using right?
GM also announced their partnership with Google on bringing apps to the cars.
I wonder how this will impact OTA updates of older cars.
Putting a full android OS 8″ head unit in my 2012 LTZ Silveado was the best decision. Brought the infotainment into the modern era, it eclipses most 2020 vehicle infotainments. Every app available in the Playstore from Spotify to Google Maps. Bluetooth 5.0, 8″ screen, equalizer, compatible with the Bose system and steering wheel controls, great resolution for the reverse cam, etc.
I installed a wireless charging pad under the center console armrest rubber pad, like where the charger is on the 2016+ trucks. Engine and TCM tune, can still run a 7.8 0-60 with my old 5.3, and get 23.5mpg highway with 33″ AT rubber and a 2.5″ lift. Basically updated it to where there isnt much divide between it and a new truck. Can’t complain at all on a truck that is 9 years old and 180,000km. Leather interior is spotless, mechanically its flawless, and frame rust is very minor especially considering southern Ontario salt usage.
That’s actually a really good question, because this sounded to me more like a competitor to Android Automotive.
That is a Tesla Model 3 interior Haha
I cannot wait for the Hummer to be shown
But can it run Crysis?
Nerd humor aside, hopefully it’ll run smooth and not be laggy or buggy.