We lately sat down with Dave Flint, Head of UX/UI at Lucid, to get the inside track on the brand new Lucid UX 3.0 platform. It’s not only a slight improve or enhancement from what’s in the Lucid Air sedan. As a substitute, it’s a rethink of how drivers work together with their vehicles and the way tech performs into that have. From the Gravity’s quirky steering wheel to its screens, Flint walked me via how the modifications will make EV life simpler and possibly even outright serene.
2025 Lucid Gravity
The Lucid Gravity is a revolutionary all-electric luxurious SUV that mixes distinctive vary with versatility. That includes seating for as much as seven adults, over 800 horsepower in Grand Touring trim, and a projected vary exceeding 440 miles, the Gravity achieves efficiency with out compromise. It might quick cost at a price of as much as 400 kW, and is constructed on a 1,000-volt structure, making it the fastest-charging EV in North America.
- Horsepower
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+800 HP
- Vary
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+440 miles
- Towing Capability
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6,000
- Payload Capability
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1,500
- 0-60 MPH
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3.5 seconds
Modifications began with one thing decidedly not technical. “One of many first stuff you discover is the steering wheel,” he mentioned. “We sort of affectionately known as it a squircle form.” It’s not the same old circle, however relatively a sq. with rounded corners. The odd form has a function. “The intent was to scale back the period of time you spend wanting via the wheel.” That change provides the motive force a transparent view of the huge OLED 6K 34-inch touchscreen that runs alongside the dashboard. It’s the center of what Lucid calls a Clearview cockpit. The thought is to have fewer obstructions and extra info with out being overwhelming or cluttered.
Clearing the Muddle
The screens themselves are additionally a departure from what Lucid did within the Air. The pilot panel, which was a portrait-style display low on the dashboard, is now a panorama display that sits barely increased. “It’s extra ergonomically positioned to have the ability to work together with for sure issues like typing, as a result of it’s sort of a ache to sort on a flat or extra vertical display,” mentioned Flint. It’s a small change, however one which makes an enormous distinction within the day-to-day usability of the system.
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Then there’s the decluttering effort. Within the Lucid Air, the automobile controls on the left of the touchscreen are static, with a hard and fast lineup of buttons that may make it laborious to search out the best one. Within the Gravity, they’re dynamic. “If you’re driving, you actually shouldn’t open the frunk, and so we disguise these, to wash it up slightly bit.” These dynamic buttons make it simpler to make use of the system and cut back potential frustration.
The Capacity To Multitask
Lucid is introducing multitasking within the Gravity, a characteristic Air drivers have been craving. “These may be unbiased,” Flint mentioned, displaying how the big touchscreen and the pilot display can cut up duties with navigation on one and music controls on the opposite. “If somebody needs to select the tunes whereas I observe a route, they’ll do this,” he mentioned. It’s a small however vital improve, particularly for highway journeys when the entrance passenger can also be the DJ. Lucid has additionally doubled down on bodily controls.
“We’ve added extra bodily buttons as a result of it’s in our DNA, bodily {hardware} is tremendous essential.”
– Dave Flint, Lucid Head of UX/UI
The touchscreen is there, and you should utilize it for those who like, however Flint is keenly conscious that some issues are simply higher when there’s an precise button to press. “I can hold my eyes on the highway and my hand can land on that factor each time. It’s at all times the place it’s,” he mentioned of discovering bodily controls. The brand new Lucid system has a mixture of each, so no matter feels pure and intuitive to you is at all times out there.
Easing Into EV Life
A part of Lucid’s objective was to sort out the real-world worries of EV house owners, particularly these new to electrical automobiles. On the high of the listing was driving vary and realizing not simply what number of miles of vary you’ve got left, however realizing the place these miles will take you. “That is principally a illustration of each place I can go on 226 miles of vary,” Flint mentioned, pointing to a blue-highlighted part of roads and charging areas on the display in entrance of us. Faucet on a charging location, and it reveals particulars about what number of stations there are and even what number of can be found. “It’s actually meant to do one thing emotional, to present you confidence.”
“We wish to ensure that we handle power very well.”
– Dave Flint, Lucid Head of UX/UI
The visible illustration is simpler than doing math in your head to determine whether or not you will get to that new restaurant or your favourite mountaineering path. The system additionally gives effectivity suggestions tailor-made to your driving habits. “Have you learnt that for those who drive over 70, that might account for as a lot as 10% of your vary loss?” Flint requested. That’s one of many suggestions the system will share that will help you perceive why your vary could be lower than the spectacular 450-mile EPA ranking. It’s like having slightly digital coach nudging you into being a extra battery-aware driver.
A Sanctuary on Wheels
There’s one other key side of the brand new UX, and it’s not one which has something to do with practicality, like vary or chargers. As a substitute, it’s all about specializing in you, the motive force, and turning the Gravity right into a retreat. “We created this idea we name Sanctuary,” Flint defined as he introduced up a 10-minute video of Half Moon Bay, full with wealthy sound and dynamic lighting. “It’s only a vibe,” he added. In the course of our busy and infrequently tense lives, Lucid needs to make it simple so that you can relaxation, recenter, and focus.
“This has obtained a greater sound system than my house.”
– Dave Flint, Lucid Head of UX/UI
Lucid’s additionally partnered with Meditopia for mindfulness content material that features guided respiration workouts and soothing soundscapes. “Perhaps I simply take a beat, do some respiration, calm down,” Flint mentioned. Time is the best luxurious, and Lucid needs you to benefit from each minute.
Why It All Issues
Lucid’s bold objective with the Gravity is to vary the best way we view and reside with EVs. “The thought was to make this complete area really feel extra user-friendly, extra accessible, extra intuitive,” Flint mentioned, but it surely doesn’t cease there. “We additionally wish to assist individuals adapt to EV driving to make it simpler to be a part of their lives,” he added. “We wish individuals to really feel like that is the very best first EV they’ve ever had.”
