In the evolution of car design, touch screens once became synonymous with a sense of technology and almost became a standard feature of smart cars. The rise of this industry trend is due to the promotion of pioneering brands such as Tesla. Their success has not only changed the industry, but also led global automakers to a new conception of future car interiors. Physical buttons are gradually being abandoned, and touch screens have become the core of in-car entertainment systems. However, with the further development of technology and changes in consumer demand, the direction of the automotive market seems to be quietly changing. Some car companies have begun to reflect on the problems caused by excessive reliance on touch screens, and even began to try to return to traditional physical buttons.
The latest research shows that the increasingly popular large touch screens in modern cars are becoming a new hidden danger to driving safety. A test shows that when drivers operate the in-car touch screen system, it may take too long to complete the basic settings, far exceeding the traditional button operation time, which has triggered the industry’s reflection on the security of smart car operating systems.
Problems with Car Touch Screens
The British Auto Express recently conducted a joint test with professional organizations on the top ten most popular models in the current market and found that 97% of new cars released after 2023 have adopted touch screen systems. In a simulated urban road test, researchers counted the duration of five basic touch screen operations, such as turning off the lane keeping assist function and turning on the navigation. It was found that the Korean car Genesis took 22.6 seconds to turn off the lane keeping assist function alone, and it took an average of 13.6 seconds to complete each operation. French Peugeot Citroen takes an average of 10.4 seconds to complete each operation, while the best performing German Skoda still takes 4.8 seconds.
“This is essentially a cost-oriented result.” Paul Buck, editor-in-chief of Auto Express, said that converting traditional buttons into a single touch screen can save car companies a lot of R&D and manufacturing costs, but this design usually complicates car operations. In actual tests, common problems such as screen interface freezes and response delays force drivers to divert their attention for a long time. Buck added that the touchscreen system brings more challenges to countries that mainly use right-hand drive cars. For example, in the UK, nearly 80% of local drivers are used to controlling the touchscreen with their right hand, but have to use their left hand to control it.
Edmund King, chairman of the British Automobile Association, said: “The simple button control in the past has become so complicated that some drivers have to shift their attention from road safety to the touchscreen.” He suggested that drivers should understand the basic operation of the touchscreen in advance before driving to avoid too much distraction during driving.
Combination of Physical Buttons and Touchscreen
The European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) announced that from 2026, it will reduce the safety score of cars that rely too much on touch operation, and strongly recommends that car companies equip some basic functions such as turn signals and wipers with physical control devices. This policy change undoubtedly provides a strong external impetus for the return of physical buttons, and also prompts more car companies to re-examine the design limitations of touchscreens. Looking to the future, car design may no longer be an opposing choice between physical buttons and touchscreens, but an organic combination of the two.
For some functions with fewer steps and clear goals, such as air conditioning temperature adjustment, physical buttons are undoubtedly more efficient. For tasks with complex steps and diverse functions, such as calling contacts and setting ambient lights, voice recognition and touch screens can provide more efficient and intuitive operation methods. Therefore, the future car interior design may tend to complement physical buttons with touch screens, which can not only improve the convenience of operation, but also ensure the safety during driving.
In summary, the move of car companies to return to physical buttons is not actually a denial of technology, but a deep reflection on user needs and driving safety. In the face of the continuous development and progress of technology, car manufacturers have begun to realize that only by combining technology with safety and convenience can they provide users with a truly valuable driving experience. The future car interior design will find a balance between physical buttons and touch screens, bringing drivers a more intelligent, convenient and safe car experience.
