Xiaomi Details Why the Pengcheng Series Rear Screen Uses a Physical Remote

Xiaomi Auto published Q&A session #280 on August 18, answering user questions about the Pengcheng series' rear entertainment screen remote control, ceiling lighting design, and the safety features of the 220V power outlet.

When designing the interaction method for the rear entertainment screen, Xiaomi considered gesture control and touch-based approaches. However, extensive user research revealed that gesture control presents a learning curve for elderly passengers and young children, and recognition stability remains inconsistent inside a moving vehicle. When second-row seats are moved far back for optimal viewing, shorter passengers and children struggle to reach the screen directly. Standing up to touch the screen while the vehicle is in motion also poses safety risks.

Xiaomi ultimately chose a physical remote control — described as a familiar, intuitive solution unaffected by seat position. The remote operates identically to a Xiaomi TV remote, allowing users to extend their home habits into the car. A Xiaomi TV remote can pair via Bluetooth and control the car's rear screen, and the car's remote can similarly control a home Xiaomi TV after pairing.

The company said it preferred this approach over asking users to learn a new interaction mode, aiming for the rear screen experience to feel as natural as watching TV at home.

Regarding the dual ceiling lights positioned on either side of the central roof area, Xiaomi cited both styling and functional reasons. The design follows the Pengcheng series' "rounded rectangular" aesthetic, with a frosted lamp cover and decorative trim ring producing soft, home-ceiling-light-like illumination. The two lights are symmetrically placed on either side of the rear entertainment screen, creating visual balance across the roof area.

Functionally, the central ceiling lights serve as supplementary rear illumination alongside traditional reading lamps, allowing drivers to choose between overall or localized lighting. When parked with front seats rotated for face-to-face conversation, the lights provide brighter ambient illumination. They can also be controlled individually through the Xiao AI voice assistant.

For the 220V power outlet, Xiaomi highlighted multiple safety measures. A physical flap covers the socket to prevent fingers or metal objects from contacting live terminals. A micro-switch inside detects whether a plug is inserted — power connects only upon insertion and cuts off automatically when removed, reducing the risk of arcing from hot-plugging.

The outlet is rated at 220V/10A and includes overcurrent protection that cuts power if the load exceeds the limit. Users must enable the outlet via the center screen under Settings > Charge & Discharge. Once enabled, the micro-switch handles power on plug-in and off on removal without requiring manual intervention each time.