Even in today’s fast changing technology eco-system there is a gap of more than 10+ years between innovation and application in automotive – especially in North America.
Added to that investments over the 10 years in ER&D and tooling ensures that new innovation cannot be introduced 
in the eco-system till investments on the older innovation have been recovered.
Tesla has moved the needle but a lot more needs to be done by all OE’s.
There is article by John Quain in NYT of October 14th titled ‘Steering Cars Toward the Internet-of-Things On-Ramp with comments from Dieter Zetsche, CEO Daimler, Jim Buczkowski, Director Innovation of Ford, Bret Greenstein, VP IBM, Chris Penrose of AT&T, Kaymar Moinzadeh, CEO Airbiquity, and others.
There are many potential applications for Internet-of-Things like in following applications as highlighted by the contributors mentioned above:
- Gas in car information when still at home.
- Lock doors and adjust comfort convenience while not in car.
- Communication between home and car to transmit information to driver from home.
- Health care tracking.
- Car to car communication.
Of course all that interconnectivity will affect driver distraction unless they are only available when car is parked. In that case we can get all that more easily even today from a smart phone app. Security is another concerns.
However, the core technology for interconnectivity has been there for years and application in automotive is still years away. GM was ahead of the curve with their ON-STAR technology innovation implemented years ago.
Another example is seating. All luxury and other car makers are developing new seats which are thinner and provide greater comfort convenience. However, the development started in 2008, introduced in cars starting with 2016 MY and may need to be continued as is for another 5 years as is to recover ER&D and tooling investments.
Now refer to article ‘BMW Plots Its Vision for Next 100 Years by Chris Woodyard in USA today of October 14th. 
BMW is looking into manufacturing concept using 4-D Printing and Rapid Manufacturing to replace stamping machines and other high investment manufacturing technology. Hopefully that will speed up the process of introduction and change.
So is there a solution to bring innovation in Human Machine Interface within a 2-year time line that brings vale to the owner. Am sure there is and Auto executives will develop a process that advances technology in a timely fashion. Outsiders like TESLA, GOOGLE and APPLE entering the market will help to force the change.
Independent book-shelving of applications in design and manufacturing innovation – in collaboration with the market is one very important concept. This has to go beyond technology scouting to application design; even if a very clear path to integration is not visible at that time. Investments made are easily recoverable through after-market technology application marketing and product sale / licensing for non-automotive applications. It just requires mind set targeted to innovation and customer focused above all.
Design HMI LLC is one such medium but there are many others globally devoted to developing innovative applications looking for partners in automotive.
