Interface apparatus and method

A human-machine interface (HMI) 15 for a vehicle, comprising an output means 40, 50 for outputting information, passenger monitoring means 20 for determining a status of at least one passenger within the vehicle and to outputting a passenger status signal indicative thereof and control means 10 for determining an operating state of one or more systems of the vehicle. The control means is arranged to receive the passenger status signal, and compose an output from the output means 40, 50 in dependence on the operating state of the one or more systems and the passenger status signal. The output means may be audible, visual or haptic. The passenger status signal may indicate the presence of one or more passengers in the vehicle. An imaging device may be used to monitor the interior of the vehicle. The image data DIMG may be processed to determine an activity being performed by the passenger e.g. sleeping, reading, speaking, using a device etc.