Automotive Technician Helton Lima Explains Evolution Of The Dashboard

In the dynamic world of automotive technology, few components have undergone as dramatic a transformation as the humble dashboard. Once a simple panel displaying basic speed and fuel levels, it has evolved into a complex control center, integrating advanced electronics, connectivity, and driver assistance systems. To shed light on this evolution and its implications for drivers and technicians alike, we turn to Helton Lima, a dedicated professional specializing in automotive mechanics and electrical systems.

Lima, who currently serves as a tuner and performance specialist, representing São Paulo-based Brazilian tuning company Overspeed Chiptuning in Rio de Janeiro, brings a unique blend of technical expertise and a lifelong fascination with moving parts to his analysis. His journey into the automotive field was far from conventional, beginning in the realm of Architecture and Urbanism at UFF. This academic path was initially fueled by a deep interest in the entire lifecycle of a project, from initial concept and design through to the final execution. Since childhood, his curiosity gravitated towards frameworks, schematics, technical drawings, and, crucially, anything with moving components. Yet, amidst these varied interests, motor vehicles held a distinct and captivating allure.

Recognizing that his true passion resided not in static structures but in the intricate mechanics and dynamic performance of engines, Lima made a pivotal decision to redirect his professional focus. Unsatisfied with the trajectory of his architectural studies, he embarked on a path aligned with the world of motorsports – a realm characterized by “mechanical noise, heat, and speed” that had long drawn him in. This career pivot underscores a core belief Helton holds: the ability to adapt, evolve, and reinvent oneself is crucial for continuous creativity and the pursuit of quality in any profession.

Driven by persistent curiosity and a commitment to ongoing professional development, Lima has pursued specialized training with renowned institutions in the automotive performance and repair sectors, including Fueltech Education, HP Academy, and MS MotorService. This rigorous training has equipped him with a sophisticated skill set that seamlessly integrates high-performance mechanics with embedded electronics – the very systems now dominating the automotive dashboard – alongside practical workshop management. His holistic approach, viewing every task from the perspective of the end user and striving to deliver the quality he would personally expect, informs his insights into how technology is reshaping the driving experience.

The transformation of the automotive dashboard over the past 50 years is nothing short of revolutionary. Helton Lima highlights this dramatic shift, contrasting the rudimentary displays of the past with the sophisticated interfaces of today. “Back in the day, you had to work only with the N S W E signs on the dash,” he recalls, referring to the basic directional indicators that were once the primary source of navigation assistance. This era was defined by physical gauges, warning lights, and mechanical controls – a paradigm of analogue simplicity.

Today’s dashboard presents a stark contrast. According to Lima, recent additions have fundamentally altered the way drivers interact with their vehicles and the information available to them. “Touch screens, front/back cameras, GPS” are now standard features in many vehicles, moving beyond luxury options to become integral parts of the driving experience. These technologies, he explains, are designed “to make you more connected, and feel more immersed in the vehicle system.”

The proliferation of cameras is particularly notable. Beyond simple reversing aids, vehicles are now equipped with cameras offering 360-degree views, enhancing situational awareness during parking and low-speed maneuvers. Features like night vision technology, once confined to military or high-end security applications, are appearing on dashboards, providing enhanced visibility in challenging conditions. Integrated GPS navigation has evolved from static maps or rudimentary turn-by-turn directions to worldwide, real-time systems capable of displaying traffic conditions, weather information, and even providing detailed 3D maps.

“Now you can have worldwide, realtime maps, with traffic, climate and other information right in front of you to help you get from point a to point b without much effort,” Lima observes, marveling at the progress. “There have been so many advances in this area in the past 10 years, I guess our grandparents wouldn’t even have thought of that in the past, would them?”

However, Lima also offers a nuanced perspective on this technological influx. While acknowledging the undeniable utility of features like 360 cameras, night vision, and advanced navigation (“feel like a glove in a cold hand”), he suggests that not every addition is equally beneficial. “Some additions, may be unnecessary, or too much,” he states, hinting at the potential for information overload or features that detract from, rather than enhance, the primary task of driving safely.

Peering into the near future, Lima anticipates further evolution in dashboard design and functionality. Drawing from the current trends and developments in the automotive sector, he predicts a shift towards a “minimalistic approach.” This suggests a move away from cluttered interfaces towards cleaner, more focused displays that prioritize essential information.

This future dashboard, in his view, will be characterized by “more user centered information being shown.” The interface will likely adapt to individual driver preferences and current driving conditions, displaying only the data most relevant at any given moment. 

However, Lima also expresses a touch of pessimism regarding the potential for unnecessary information. “I guess more useless data, sadly,” he adds, suggesting that the drive for connectivity and feature integration might still result in dashboards that, while technologically advanced, include non-essential information that could potentially distract drivers.

While technological advancements have made dashboards more capable, they have also introduced significant technical complexities, particularly concerning maintenance and repair. Lima identifies this complexity as a major challenge. “Technically the complexity of the systems today makes it difficult to not have chain reactions with failed components,” he explains. In interconnected electronic systems, a single fault in one module can trigger issues in others, making diagnosis and repair more challenging than with simpler analogue systems.

For the end user, however, the most “disturbing part,” according to Lima, is often the escalating cost of repairs associated with modern dashboards. The extensive use of digital screens – often large format and interconnected – coupled with sophisticated vehicle immobilization and protection systems, contributes significantly to repair expenses. These components are costly to replace or repair, and their integration into the vehicle’s central nervous system means that even seemingly minor issues can require specialized tools and expertise. 

“The extensive use of digital screens, immobilization and protection systems, makes it hard to do a budget repair when it comes to issues with these parts,” he states, concluding with a poignant observation for enthusiasts and hobbyists: “Good bye DIY.” The era of easily tinkering with dashboard components is largely over for the average car owner.

Given the intricate and sensitive nature of modern automotive digital systems, proper maintenance is paramount, and Lima offers a crucial piece of advice. He identifies the vehicle’s battery as the most common culprit behind issues in contemporary digital systems.

“Keep your battery in good condition. That’s the most common issue with modern digital systems,” he stresses. The problem isn’t just about the battery’s ability to start the engine; it’s about its capacity to deliver stable and consistent electrical current to the vehicle’s electronics. As a battery ages, it loses its charge capacity and, more critically, its ability to maintain a consistent electrical current delivery. “The Current drops drastically, and that’s when things start to go down,” Lima explains. Complex electronic systems, including dashboard components, control modules, and communication networks, are highly sensitive to variations, peaks, or drops in electrical current.

These fluctuations can lead to malfunctions, data corruption, and even permanent damage to sensitive electronic modules. Lima cites real-world examples from his experience: “I dealt with a lot of transmission modules, completely ruined because of old batteries that should’ve been replaced but were neglected, for ‘economy,’ or lack of knowledge.” This highlights the critical, often overlooked, link between a seemingly simple component like the battery and the expensive, complex digital systems that govern modern vehicle operation, including the dashboard interface and its connected functions. Proactive battery replacement, based on age and condition rather than just failure to start, is therefore a vital preventative measure.

The evolution of the dashboard and vehicle technology naturally leads to discussions about the future of driving itself, particularly the advent of autonomous vehicles. Lima offers a pragmatic perspective on their reliability compared to human drivers, while acknowledging the significant hurdles to mainstream adoption.

He draws a direct comparison between the potential for programmed attention in an autonomous system and the reality of driver distraction today. “I guess, if you take a look at the streets right now, you will see a lot of people driving around looking at their phones, texting, browsing social media, recording videos, and stuff like that,” he observes, painting a worrying picture of contemporary driving habits. In contrast, he posits, “I think that if a robot is programmed to pay attention, that is far more reliable than a person driving a big suv looking at their phones.” This view suggests that, from a pure attention and reaction standpoint, a properly functioning autonomous system could offer a higher degree of reliability than a distracted human.

However, Lima is realistic about the timeline for widespread autonomous vehicle adoption. Despite the potential for increased reliability, he believes it will “take a while.” The primary obstacle, in his view, is not purely technological but psychological and sociological. “Most of us don’t want to give full control to a car, to a thing we can’t really control,” he states. This fundamental human desire for control, coupled with concerns about safety, liability, and the sheer novelty of ceding the driving task to a machine, represents a significant barrier that technology alone cannot overcome.

Helton Lima’s insights offer a valuable perspective on the transformative journey of the automotive dashboard – from a basic informational panel to a sophisticated, interconnected digital interface. His background, blending an appreciation for architectural systems with deep technical expertise in mechanics and electronics, positions him uniquely to understand the complexities of modern vehicles. 

While the technological advancements bring unprecedented convenience and information access, they also introduce challenges related to technical complexity, repair costs, and the need for vigilant maintenance, particularly concerning the electrical system’s foundation – the battery. As vehicles continue to evolve, integrating more technology and moving towards greater autonomy, understanding the insights of professionals like Lima will be crucial for navigating this rapidly changing landscape.