- EuroNCAP assigns high security results for cars with buttons
- Modern touch screens have been shown to be distracting to drivers
- But when cars become more complex, digital is the logical way forward
There has been a new call from both the industry and the drivers to reduce the amount of distraction found in many modern cars. A large number require multiple physical switches and easily accessible buttons to replace fiddly touch screens and illogical menu systems.
EuroNCAP, undoubtedly the leading vehicle security organization in Europe, has stated that it will “incentive” the manufacturers that provide easy location, tactile switch gear for core functionality.
This will mean that manufacturers may not be able to achieve the coveted five -star security assessment unless they meet these criteria.
Ironically, the decision has come from the same security body that made it mandatory for producers to provide an abundance of active security systems if they want to get top marks. For many at least (including this author) this is more of an obstacle than a help.
The endless bonging of a speed limit alarm system, the erratic actions of Automatic Path keeps auxiliary technology and events with ‘ghost braking’ when a camera system mistakenly interprets a non-existent danger, is all the orbit of a modern motorist’s life. But it was EuroNCAP that actively encouraged such solutions in the pursuit of safer roads.
Dacia chief Denis Le Vot-There has had to cope with lower than average EuroNCAP security results because his cut-out products could not afford such systems-to-be that they are important to the public perception of security, but knows that the vast majority of his customers are turning off them.
So Renault Group as a whole has introduced a button that does just that … with a simple long press.
But EuroNCap’s director of strategic development Matthew Avery wants to tackle the sticky question of touch screens and told Wired that larger producers are “on notice”. “They have to bring back buttons,” he added.
A sensible move as there has been a growing trend among car manufacturers to bury core car functionality under layers of touch screen menus.
Call it the “Tesla effect”, but having to press multiple icons to access the fog lights, turn up the heating or to adjust exterior mirrors is annoying, not to mention distracting. Do not start opening a modern glove compartment.
The same wired article pays reference to a study conducted by the British consulting firm TRL, which concluded that infotainment systems impair the reaction times behind the wheel more than alcohol and drug use.
Driving is hard work, requires skill and a lot of concentration, even though we feel we can do it with eyes closed.
Manufacturers will grow lyrically about the ability of their AI voting assistants to help with many features, with anyone from VW to Mercedes-Benz that is innovating in this area. But testing the real world reveals that they do not always work and mostly take the whole process longer and more brainpower than relying on muscle memory to get a switch.
Not everyone has got the note
While many manufacturers have listened to customer feedback and have promised several physical buttons (VW is a good example), a number of others are pushing into touch screen territory.
Many new EVs coming from China seem to have “borrowed” from Tesla Infotainment Handbook Wholesale and most commits everything to menus and submenu.
Mercedes-Benz has essentially introduced IMAX in its vehicles with the upcoming Supersceen system to be debuted at CLA.
Similarly, BMW revealed an update of its once amazing tactile Idrive system, which will soon be largely screen-based, where the remaining physical buttons for annoying haptic surfaces on the steering wheel.
In the United States, Chevrolet just revealed a whole new interior to the iconic Corvette, which is now filled with screens. Although its original button layout was massively over-the-top.
As a modern car designer, it is not easy to balance a clean, stylish and architectural interior with something that is safe and easy to use – the standard is to remove as much root as possible, including useful switch gear.
But it feels as if the public has spoken, and in the end, significant things like wipers, lights, indicators, horns and farrowing lights will be examined by Europe’s leading vehicle security organization.
But with car manufacturers who are already looking at a time when we all want to be driven around in full autonomous pods, the return of physical buttons will not be long.
