Multi Media Interface - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Audi MMI system, is an in-car user interface

User interface

The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...

media system developed by Audi

Audi

Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....

, and implemented in most of its latest series of cars/automobiles

Automobile

An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...

since 2004.

Concept

MMI consists of a single interface, which controls a variety of devices and functions of the car, thus minimizing the vast array of buttons and dials normally found on a dashboard

Dashboard

A dashboard is a control panel placed in front of the driver of an automobile, housing instrumentation and controls for operation of the vehicle....

. The system consists of the MMI terminal and the MMI display

Display device

A display device is an output device for presentation of information in visual or tactile form...

screen.

The central element of the MMI terminal is the control dial. This dial can be rotated, to navigate up and down through menus, and pressed to activate a selected highlighted function. Four or eight function buttons surround the control dial (dependent on MMI specification installed in the car), which can be used to call up a corresponding on-screen menu. The MMI screen is available as a 5-inch monochrome black & red or 7-inch 16:9

16:9

16:9 is an aspect ratio with a width of 16 units and height of 9. Since 2009, it has become the most common aspect ratio for sold televisions and computer monitors and is also the international standard format of HDTV, Full HD, non-HD digital television and analog widescreen television ...

full colour display, depending on the variation of MMI fitted in the car. MMI uses Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) technology to interconnect the various systems. Harman Becker manufactures the system, utilizing QNX Neutrino's Real Time Operating System (RTOS) software.

Variations

On the A6

Audi A6

The Audi A6 is an executive car marketed by the German automaker Audi AG, now in its fourth generation. As the successor to the Audi 100, the A6 is manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany – and is available in saloon, and wagon configurations, the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant.All generations...

and S6

Audi S6

The Audi S6 is a high-performance version of the Audi A6, an executive car produced by German automaker Audi. It went on sale in 1994, shortly after the "A6" designation was introduced, replacing the "100" nameplate...

, MMI comes in a choice of 3 systems, MMI Basic, MMI Basic Plus and MMI . The features of the 3 varieties are as follows:

MMI basic
- 5-inch monochrome
  Monochrome
  Monochrome describes paintings, drawings, design, or photographs in one color or shades of one color. A monochromatic object or image has colors in shades of limited colors or hues. Images using only shades of grey are called grayscale or black-and-white...
  
  display (red and black)
- optional CD-ROM
  CD-ROM
  A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
  
  based satellite navigation
  Automotive navigation system
  An automotive navigation system is a satellite navigation system designed for use in automobiles. It typically uses a GPS navigation device to acquire position data to locate the user on a road in the unit's map database. Using the road database, the unit can give directions to other locations...
  
  (with single country street-level map
  Map
  A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, regions, and themes....
  
  s)
- radio tuner (with RDS
  Radio Data System
  Radio Data System, or RDS, is a communications protocol standard for embedding small amounts of digital information in conventional FM radio broadcasts. RDS standardises several types of information transmitted, including time, station identification and programme information.Radio Broadcast Data...
  
  Traffic Programme (TP))
- single CD player

MMI basic plus - all features of MMI basic, plus:
- DSP 10-speaker sound system
- ability to store (TIM) RDS Traffic Announcement messages (TA)

MMI - the features of MMI basic plus, and the addition of:
- 7-inch 16:9
  16:9
  16:9 is an aspect ratio with a width of 16 units and height of 9. Since 2009, it has become the most common aspect ratio for sold televisions and computer monitors and is also the international standard format of HDTV, Full HD, non-HD digital television and analog widescreen television ...
  
  full-colour display
- 6 CD Changer
- optional DVD
  DVD
  A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
  
  -ROM
  Read-only memory
  Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
  
  based satellite navigation (with Europe-wide/United States-wide street-level maps, and TMC
  Traffic Message Channel
  Traffic Message Channel is a technology for delivering traffic and travel information to drivers. It is typically digitally coded using the FM-RDS system on conventional FM radio broadcasts...
  
  )
- optional TV Tuner

For the current A8

Audi A8

The Audi A8 is a four-door, full-size, luxury sedan car manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8, the A8 has been offered with front wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive, with multitronic or tiptronic automatic transmissions — and in short- and...

and S8

Audi S8

The Audi S8 quattro is a high-performance version of the German luxury automaker Audi's flagship car, the full-size Audi A8. The S8 is produced at Audi's Neckarsulm 'aluminium plant', and it was introduced in September 1994...

and Q5

Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover SUV which was released by German automaker Audi for the 2009 model year. It is built using the new Audi MLP platform which debuted in the 2007 Audi A5 coupé. The Q5 is the second Audi model in the "Q" range, after the full-size Q7...

, the MMI only comes as a complete "one size fits all" package.

On the current Q7

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury crossover SUV unveiled in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Production of the Q7 began in autumn of 2005 in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is the first SUV offering from Audi and went on sale in 2007. Later, Audi's second SUV, the Q5, was unveiled as a 2009...

, it is available in two specifications, the standard MMI (with 8 speakers, monochrome display, and radio/CD player, and 4 function keys), and the optional MMI High (7" hi-res colour monitor, double tuner extended radio, DSP sound system, and separate CD changer - but NO navigation, which is an extra option).

The latest version, due to appear in 2010 on the new A8, can recognize handwriting inputs for the phone and navigation system.

components, car electronics, and other functions. The list below indicates the scope of systems controllable by MMI. However, depending on the actual car model, along with which version was specified (MMI basic, MMI High, etc.), only some, and not all functions will be applicable or available.

Satellite Navigation
Automotive navigation system
An automotive navigation system is a satellite navigation system designed for use in automobiles. It typically uses a GPS navigation device to acquire position data to locate the user on a road in the unit's map database. Using the road database, the unit can give directions to other locations...

, including traffic management (TMC
Traffic Message Channel
Traffic Message Channel is a technology for delivering traffic and travel information to drivers. It is typically digitally coded using the FM-RDS system on conventional FM radio broadcasts...

)
Radio tuner
CD Changer
TV Tuner
Telephone & Directory
heating, ventilation, air conditioning
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...

/ Climate Control
HVAC
HVAC refers to technology of indoor or automotive environmental comfort. HVAC system design is a major subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer...

, and seat heating
Car Setup (e.g. central locking
Power door locks
Power door locks allow the driver or front passenger to simultaneously lock or unlock all the doors of an automobile or truck, by pressing a button or flipping a switch....

and convenience function (coming home/leaving home, power sunroof
Sunroof
An automotive sunroof is a fixed or operable opening in an automobile roof which allows light and/or fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. Sunroofs may be manually operated or motor driven, and are available in many shapes, sizes and styles...

and windows) options, global audio settings, suspension settings etc.)
Driver Information (e.g. fuel economy statistics (often encompassed by "trip computer" functions), battery level, tire-pressure monitoring
Tire pressure monitoring system
-General:A Tire Pressure Monitoring System is a system designed to monitor the air pressure inside the pneumatic tires on various types of vehicles...

, etc.)
User Manual (full on-board car user manual, displayed on screen)

Cars

Audi models featuring MMI are:

A1
Audi A1
The Audi A1 is a supermini-class car launched by Audi at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Sales of the initial three door A1 model started in Germany in August 2010, with the United Kingdom following in November 2010...
A4 (B8) 2008 onwards
A5
Audi A5
The Audi A5 is a coupé produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi since 2007. It is the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback versions of the fourth generation Audi A4 saloon and estate models....
A6 (C6) 2005 onwards
S6 (C6) 2006 onwards
A8 (D3) from the 2005 facelift onwards
S8 (D3) 2006 onwards
Q5
Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover SUV which was released by German automaker Audi for the 2009 model year. It is built using the new Audi MLP platform which debuted in the 2007 Audi A5 coupé. The Q5 is the second Audi model in the "Q" range, after the full-size Q7...
Q7
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury crossover SUV unveiled in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Production of the Q7 began in autumn of 2005 in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is the first SUV offering from Audi and went on sale in 2007. Later, Audi's second SUV, the Q5, was unveiled as a 2009...

Criticisms

While intuitive and user-friendly, MMI can be difficult to operate when driving

Driving

Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a land vehicle, such as a car, truck or bus.Although direct operation of a bicycle and a mounted animal are commonly referred to as riding, such operators are legally considered drivers and are required to obey the rules of the road...

. A sequence of menu

In a restaurant, a menu is a presentation of food and beverage offerings. A menu may be a la carte – which guests use to choose from a list of options – or table d'hôte, in which case a pre-established sequence of courses is served....

s may need to be accessed in order to change a particular setting, such as radio station

Radio station

Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...

, rather than having a dedicated button designated to such a function. This can make changing a setting both time-consuming and arguably hazardous under certain circumstances, where the driver is distracted from the road. It must be said, however, that this concern can also apply to other dashboard interfaces and even conventional dashboard

Dashboard

A dashboard is a control panel placed in front of the driver of an automobile, housing instrumentation and controls for operation of the vehicle....

MMI featuring DVD based navigation has a DVD drive located in the boot/trunk. This is used exclusively for navigation and contains the navigation software DVD.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/3/13/883667/audi.tb.91-07-22.pdf

Verify that the software level in 07 - Display control unit is 1070. If this is not the case, contact the Audi Technical Assistance Center for further instruction.

Version History

European / ROW (Rest of the World) versions:

0890 (0.8.90) -
1190 (1.1.90) -
1200 (1.2.00) -
2120 (2.1.20) - {Update CD p/n 4E0 906 961 L}
3460 (3.4.60) - {Update CD p/n 4E0 906 961 T}
4220 (4.2.20) - {Update CD p/n 4E0 906 961 AA}
5150 (5.1.50) - {Update CD p/n 4F0 906 961 AB}
5170 (5.1.79) -
5570 (5.5.70) - {Update CD set p/n 4L0 998 961 (A6/A8/Q7) or p/n 8K0 998 961 (A4 B8/A5)}

North America versions:

0600 (0.6.00) -
1190 (1.1.90) -
2750 (2.7.50) - version 2750 and below have to be upgraded to 3360 before upgrading to a higher version
3310 (3.3.10) -
3360 (3.3.60) - {Update CD p/n 4F0 906 961AB}
4140 (4.1.40) - {Update CD p/n 4L0 906 961 H}
4610 (4.6.10) - {Update CD set p/n 4F0 998 961}

Pseudo-MMI

Certain Audi cars have a "pseudo" type of MMI. These are the A3

Audi A3

The Audi A3 is a small family car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1996. Two generations of A3 exist, both based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, which they share with several other models such as the Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Caddy and Volkswagen Touran as well as SEAT...

, A4

Audi A4

The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive...

(B6 and B7), the TT

Audi TT

The Audi TT is a two-door sports car manufactured by the German automaker and Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi since 1998.The Audi TT has been produced in two generations. Both generations have been available in two car body styles; as a 2+2 Coupé, or two-seater Roadster...

and the R8 - when fitted with the RNS-E DVD based "Audi Navigation Plus" system. Whilst appearing to be a similar layout, and operating in a similar manner, these two systems are very different, are unable to share mapping discs or software, and are not able to control non-ICE functions (such as Climate, convenience or suspension settings).

Competing Technologies

Other car manufacturers use similar technologies in their car, including BMW

BMW

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...

with its iDrive

IDrive

iDrive is a computer system which is used to control most secondary vehicle systems in many current BMW cars. iDrive's user interface consists of a LCD panel mounted in the dashboard and a controller knob mounted on the center console....

system and Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...

with its COMAND

Comand APS

Cockpit Management and Data system - COMAND for short - acts as a “command center” for all audio, telematics and telecommunications functions on Mercedes-Benz vehicles...

system; Lexus

Lexus

is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...

uses a mouse-based Remote Touch

Remote Touch

Remote Touch is a vehicle interface system developed by Lexus for use in conjunction with in-car information, configuration, and entertainment systems. The Remote Touch controller, which is similar to a computer mouse or joystick, allows the driver to operate an on-screen cursor on the vehicle's...

system; Ford uses a product called Sync

Ford Sync

Ford SYNC is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls and control music and other functions using voice commands...

External links

Audi A6 '05 SSP 326 Shows all MMI Module Locations and Specs and Blueprints
Audi A6 '05 SSP 323 Shows all Mechanical and Electrical Module Locations and Specs
Audi USA MMI Information
Audi MMI emulator
Audi MMI control section demonstration QuickTime video (.mv4)
Audi navigation and electronics sub-forum Independent forum dedicated to Audi Navigation systems

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.