Touchscreen-only controls in cars

Status quo

This section has not been filled in yet. 💬 discussion TODO: list some specific cars on the market today, and describe which of their controls are touchscreen-only

Why it's an issue

Takes eyes off the road

As opposed to cars with physical buttons where once you're familiar with the layout, you can feel/reach them without looking away from the road very much.

Single point of failure

Any software update bug can make a whole swath of features slow or even unavailable.

Does not save money

Behind the digital controls, there still has to be the same analog components. They're just inaccessible.

Not an innovation

Just because it's more "high tech", doesn't make it useful. It just serves to impress shareholders mostly.

What to do about it

This section has not been filled in yet. 💬 discussion Designs: Nothing wrong with having some redundant controls i.e. so the user can reach something via touchscreen and also by a physical button or knob (which btw could easily be designed to be a replaceable component if button/knobs are at risk of wearing out over time)

See also

• Right to repair