- Euroncap will grant high safety scores for cars with buttons
- Modern touch screens have proven to be distant for drivers
- But as cars become more complex, digital seems to be the logical way to follow
There was a new call from industry and drivers to reduce the amount of distraction found in many modern cars. A large number requires more physical switches and easy -to -reach buttons to replace touch screens and illogical menu systems.
Euroncap, undoubtedly the main vehicle security organization in Europe, said that it “encourages” manufacturers who provide tactile switching devices that are easy to rest for basic features.
This will mean that manufacturers may not be able to obtain the five -star coveted security rating unless they meet these criteria.
Ironically, the decision came from the same security body which made it compulsory for manufacturers to provide a plethora of active safety systems if they wanted to win the best grades. For many at least (including this writer), it is more an aid for help.
The endless bongelash of a speed limit alert system, the erratic actions of the automatic route maintain assistance technology and incidents of a ghost braking ” When a camera system interprets a bad risk in advance is the whole scourge of the life of a modern motorist. But it was Euroncap who actively encouraged such solutions looking for safer roads.
Dacia Boss, Denis Le Vot – who had to support EuronCap security scores lower than the average because its products at reduced prices could not afford such systems – understands that they are essential for the perception of the public security but knows that the vast majority of its customers deactivate them.
Thus, the Renault group as a whole introduced a button that does exactly that … with a simple long press.
But Euroncap’s strategic development director Matthew Avery wants to solve the sticky problem of touch screens and told Wired that the main manufacturers are “in mind”. “They have to bring back the pimples,” he added.
A reasonable decision, since there was a growing trend among car manufacturers to bury the basic car functionality under layers of tactile menu.
Call this “the Tesla effect”, but have to press several icons to access fog lights, increase heating or to adjust the lateral mirrors is exasperating, not to mention distraction. Do not start to open a modern glove box.
The same wired article pays a reference to a study carried out by the British council TRL, which concluded that infotainment systems alter reaction times more than alcohol and narcotics.
Driving is difficult work, requires skills and a lot of concentration, even if we think we can do it with our closed eyes.
Manufacturers will be lyrical on the ability of AI voice assistants to help with many functions, with everyone from VW to innovative Mercedes-Benz in this area. But the real world tests reveal that they do not always work and most of the time, the whole process takes more power of the brain than to trust muscle memory to produce a switch.
Not everyone has the memo
While many manufacturers have listened to customer comments and have promised more physical pimples (VW is a good example), a number of others push further in the territory with a touch screen.
Many new electric vehicles from China seem to have “borrowed” from the Tesla infotainment manual by wholesale by wholesale and to engage in the menus and the submenus.
Mercedes-Benz has essentially introduced IMAX into its vehicles with the next Supersceen system which must be made its debut on the CLA.
Likewise, BMW has revealed an update of its former tactile IDrive system which will soon become largely based on the screen, exchanging all the remaining physical buttons for boring haptic surfaces on the steering wheel.
In the United States, Chevrolet has just revealed a brand new interior for the emblematic Corvette, which is now filled with screens. Although its layout of the original button has been massively exaggerated.
As a modern cars designer, it is not easy to balance a clean, elegant and architectural interior with something safe and easy to use – the default value is to delete as many clips as possible, including useful switching devices.
But he has the impression that the public spoke and, finally, essential articles such as wipers, lights, indicators, horn and danger warning fires will be examined by the safety organization of European vehicles.
However, with car manufacturers who are already looking at a time when we will all be taken to fully autonomous pods, the return of physical buttons will not be long.
