Vehicles are undergoing a profound transformation from hardware-centric transportation machines into software-defined vehicles (SDVs)-connected, continuously evolving, and increasingly automated socio-technical systems. However, despite rapid technological progress, the kind of fundamental changes in user experience observed in other domains-such as communication, entertainment, and artificial intelligence-has not yet materialized in the automotive sector.

This book argues that realizing the transformative potential of SDVs requires positioning user-centered design not merely as a component of vehicle development, but as a guiding principle for creating integrated experiences in the daily lives of users that relate to their needs.

To this end, the book examines key dimensions of SDVs from a user-centered perspective and assembles them in a comprehensive Human Systems Integration (HSI) framework for research and development of SDVs. The framework is intended to facilitate automotive eco-systems to transition toward dynamic, continuously evolving platforms that closely align with individual and societal needs.