According to Sawyer Merritt, Volkswagen has introduced a redesigned cockpit for its upcoming electric vehicles (EVs), set to launch in 2026, featuring digital displays inspired by the 1980s and significant integration of artificial intelligence for user interaction and safety. The new cockpit will include advanced AI-powered Travel Assist, capable of recognizing red traffic lights and stop signs—enhancing autonomous driving features and safety (Sawyer Merritt, Twitter, Jan 3, 2026). The interface blends retro-inspired visuals with modern AI-driven menu structures and clear information displays, aligning with customer feedback for intuitive controls. For businesses in the AI automotive space, this signals a strong trend toward combining nostalgic design with intelligent interfaces, creating new opportunities for AI-driven infotainment systems, voice recognition, and advanced human-machine interaction technologies.