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-   -   Buttons & Knobs are easier than Touchscreens, says Swedish study (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street-experiences/261075-buttons-knobs-easier-than-touchscreens-says-swedish-study.html)

Many of us here were arguing against the touchscreens taking over the physical buttons and controls, and how its not easy or safe.

Yet again, this time a Swedish magazine had reported that it conducted a test or exercise(not a study) with very small sample size (~15 cars), comparing the ease of accessing controls on the cars with physical buttons/knobs and without. The drivers were asked to drive the vehicles at 68 mph and perform few control frequently used features like A/C, radio controls and have found that the cars without physical buttons took longer and needed more concentration/effort than those with physical buttons. Now, this is not a proper scientific or statistical evidence as the sample size was lesser, we don't know about the preconditions and how the "concentration" can be quantified to compare. But still a good try to intrigue more people to make these kind of experiments more scientifically.


Image courtesy/credit: Rushlane.com

In my personal opinion, technology needs to be embraced and touchscreens reduce clutter and make many HMIs more adaptable. But, basic and frequently used functions can and must remain as physically accessible controls. Atleast, till there is a substantial improvement in quicker voice commands or alternate technology (mind chip?) can make it better. Whar are your opinions on such studies? Will they change the current trend or are they just useless cribs?

Swedish Magazine Study: https://https://futurism.com/the-byt...n-touchscreens

The Swedes sure seem to prefer small batch sizes. There was a similar "test" on 12 cars which was discussed on the forum in Aug 2022

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/inter...est-finds.html

I am amazed that the designers did not see this obvious fact. When I was looking for a new car with manual transmission, one main reason I did not go for the VW GTI is the touch screen controls. Finally VW came to its senses and decided to put the buttons back
Volkswagen Is Bringing Actual Buttons Back to Its Steering Wheels

I have Set top box remote which I can operate without even glancing at the remote control device. For the past 3 months my STB remote failed, forcing me to operate the STB via phone app. I regret to state that for each and every small thing I am forced to look down at my phone and accordingly tap the touchscreen at appropriate location.

Touchscreens function only when you focus your visual attention on it, which means your gaze is NOT on the road ahead!
On the contrary, if required I can operate the AC blower speed, music system volume etc in my care - each of which has a rotary knob and doesn't require me to shift my sight away from the road.

Moving away from buttons was never about usability. It was about reducing the costs of manufacturing and quality control. A bulk-manufactured touchscreen costs far less than 100s of buttons.

Agree fully. Find the iDrive controller on my X3 far superior to the touch screen on the Tiguan. And having touch controls for the AC would have been even worse. Time manufacturers realise that touch everywhere is a safety issue. And have physical knobs where appropriate.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/05/al...rging-station/

Voice will soon take over the controls in the car. Would start with the most essential functions
That would essentially remove the need to interact with touch screen.

Even in Android Auto many of the essential navigation functions can be managed by voice. For ex, Navigation to nearby fuel station, however the complete user journey is yet to be reach the maturity for Voice based.

Did we need a Swedish magazine to tell us this?

Tactile buttons, their feel & haptic feedback get built into our muscle memory. They're crucial, especially when we're not still in a moving vehicle.

My XUV7OO doesn't have any buttons on the dashboard, to control the music system. Operating the touchscreen in any shaking car is a task that requires user to look at the screen. Luckily the panel below works as a palm rest. Operating the screen can distract the driver from the road, delaying any possibly crucial maneuver. The steering controls are a saving grace, even with it's limitations. Aged co-passengers may not find it easy to use while the car shakes & many would likely need spectacles each time they're using it.

I'm guessing if it's possible to find a strip/panel of tactile buttons that connects with the music system through Bluetooth / wires, it'll likely solve the issue.

The only exception I can think off is the indicator toggle switch on the Hurrican Evo.

A most inconvenient location and can be dangerous to use considering the speeds that the Hurracan does. You need to take your eyes off the road and look for the switch. Not what you should be doing when you drive this car.

Clearly, the Swedes didn't share the memo with Sweden's premier car brand, Volvo :D. Say hello to the new Volvo EX90!

Haha.. Your post put a grin on my face Monday morning. :D.

That said, looking at the XC90, I feel a certain lack of control. :confused: . I really hope manufactures find out better ways to switch without looking at the console every time, even when you are used to it.

The move to touchscreen is even worse for Indians who can’t afford to take their eyes off the road for even an instant. This is what happens when car companies try to become tech companies. They adopt standards from software development where code is typically written to be reused with minor changes. Now this is coming to cars. All the cars can use the the same set of APIs with some minor skin changes. Will massively cut down on R&D costs and ironically will be sold at a price premium. Eventually features will be locked behind subscriptions and what not. Welcome to the future!

I can tolerate touch screens if the software is quick and nicely designed like it is on a Tesla which works like an iPad but touch buttons on steering wheel are just a dumb dumb idea. Thats technology for technology sake.

Call me old school but I dont like digital displays for instruments either, I like my needle going up with the speed, the quicker the better :D

I am going to go against the grain here and say all this hate against touch controls are manifested from inertia. Car people who have been harping about analog/manual being better are resisting adoption.
Either way, it is the future. Just like buttons in our phones, buttons in car interiors are also on their way out.