Acura’s True Touchpad Interface Scores Big with Rich Features and Intuitive Functionality
October 4, 2018, U.S.A.
- All-new user interface designed and developed in-house by Acura engineers
- System named a 2018 "10 Best UX" by WardsAuto
- Since June launch, RDX records four consecutive months of record sales
TORRANCE, CALIF., USA, October 4, 2018 - The new Acura True Touchpad Interface™ available in the 2019 RDX has significantly changed the way drivers interact with their vehicles. It's an intuitive, easy-to-learn user interface designed from a clean sheet around the driver and the driving experience. The new interface recently received high praise from WardsAuto in their annual "10 Best UX" awards, proclaiming "It raises the bar for the industry."
From cutting-edge features to an eye-catching design that aims to reduce the potential for driver distraction, Acura's True Touchpad Interface combines the best elements of a conventional touchscreen with those of a remote-based interface. Below are some of the key features, applauded by media, that set the True Touchpad Interface apart from the rest:
Absolute Positioning
Unlike conventional pad-based systems, with the True Touchpad Interface, there is no cursor to navigate or relocate. Instead, the touchpad is precisely mapped, one-to-one, with the action on the center display – marking the world's first application of absolute positioning in the driving environment. Simply, a touch at any location of the touchpad corresponds directly with that same location on the display.
"It's one of the most unique and intuitive tech additions to any vehicle in this segment - and far superior to counterparts that have come before it." – Motor1
High-mounted HD Display
The True Touchpad Interface features a wide, 10.2-inch full-HD display mounted high atop the dash, close to the driver's natural line of sight. The screen displays a newly designed operating system with simple, clean graphics and menu structures designed to work in concert with the touchpad.
"I was able to quickly grasp the system's logic in terms of screens and menus and getting where I wanted to go with the least amount of effort and exasperation." – TheDrive.com
Customizable App Layout
The Android-based operating system underlying the True Touchpad Interface allows for smartphone-like customization of "Apps," such as audio sources and the available satellite-based navigation, as well as "Favorites," frequently used content like destinations, radio stations and phone contacts. Apps and Favorites used most often can be placed directly on the user's home screen, while those Apps not used (Auxiliary Audio for example) can be removed entirely.
"… it became clear that this is easily the most finely-tuned and tunable interface on the road." – Gear Patrol
The Touchpad
The highlight of the True Touchpad Interface is the touchpad itself. Supporting ease-of-use, the touchpad has a subtle concave form factor with a physical boarder, so the user can identify the center and edges without looking down. While a touch on the pad highlights an item, a physical press is required to make a selection, preventing mis-selections. A naturally placed palm rest makes operating the touchpad comfortable while driving.
"… the goal of controlling that screen without your hand bumping and swaying as you aim for specific items on it…is solved with the True Touchpad." - Forbes
Two Zone Interface
The primary and secondary zones on the touchpad correspond directly to the primary and secondary information featured on the high-mounted HD screen. This allows for multi-content viewing, quick screen swapping, and the ability to receive phone calls and messages without interrupting content displayed on the primary zone. Navigation on the left zone and music on the right zone is a common configuration.
"That's what you want … something you can use without too much interference from driving and if possible without taking your eyes off the road." – Engadget
Handwriting and Voice Recognition
The True Touchpad Interface offers two additional methods of input, handwriting and natural language voice recognition. Both allow the driver or passengers to quickly and easily enter destinations, search for contacts or play a specific song while the vehicle is in motion.
"…things — like the crazy-good character recognition that allows you to quickly enter addresses in the navigation system and the natural-language voice recognition — are spot-on."– Gear Patrol
Physical Menu Shortcuts
Three easy-to-reach buttons at the top of the touchpad are critical to the ease of operation, and allow the user to quickly jump back one-step, return to the home screen, or list the cards available for display on the secondary zone.
"It offers the intuitive interaction of a touchscreen with fewer of the 'glance time' issues of such a system." – Edmunds
Interactive Head-Up Display
When equipped with the Advance Package, the RDX features a full-color interactive 10.5-inch head-up display with a wide array of customizable information, projected within easy view of the driver.
"The new head-up display in the Acura RDX is one of the best we've seen." – Motor1
About the 2019 RDX
The all-new RDX is the first in a new generation of products developed from the ground up around Acura's Precision Crafted Performance brand direction, and is the top-selling nameplate in the compact luxury SUV segment1 since RDX launched in 2006, with cumulative U.S. sales exceeding 400,000 vehicles. The Ohio-made2 RDX is built on an all-new Acura-exclusive platform and features a new VTEC® Turbo powertrain, the segment's only 10-speed transmission and the (available) next generation of Acura Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®).
The new RDX offers a more luxurious and spacious interior, top-of-class power-to-weight ratio, and a long list of standard luxury features and technologies, including AcuraWatch™ safety and driver-assistive technology, an ultra-wide panoramic moonroof, next-generation Acura JewelEye™ LED headlights and the new True Touchpad Interface.
About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the five-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America's all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV, and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar.
Five of the six models in the Acura lineup are made exclusively in central Ohio, using domestic and globally-sourced parts, including the ILX and TLX luxury sports sedans (Marysville Auto Plant), the RDX and MDX luxury SUVs (East Liberty Auto Plant) and the Acura NSX supercar, which is built to order at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio. Additional media information including pricing, features & specifications and high-resolution photography is available at AcuraNews.com. Consumer information is available at Acura.com. Follow Acura on social media at Acura.us/SocialChannels.
- 1.Based on cumulative total sales 2006-2018CYTD August of models in the compact luxury SUV segment, excludes MY2003 – 2009 Cadillac SRX.
- 2.Using domestic and globally sourced parts.