Automakers Killing Touchscreens and Bringing Back Buttons

[Kklim]

👍

[Kangadrool]

Touchscreen cheaper and easier to make than buttons and dials. 

[Bezbee]

I am old school. Still prefer the buttons, much easier to access while driving as compared to touch screens 

[SGCM928]

Don't be happy too fast. Auto manufacturer will still try to outdo each other in name of novelty. There's no end to stupidity, really! 😔 

We Wanted Volkswagen to Bring Back Buttons, But Not Like This (https://www.motor1.com/news/773586/volkswagen-eye-tracking-controls-patent/)

VW's new patent will make you look at the radio, wipers, mirror, or vents before being able to control them via a single input device.

Instead of having a bank of buttons for every possible function, VW wants drivers to look at what they want to operate first and then input their controls via a universal device, such as a pad on the steering wheel.

You want to turn on the windshield wipers? You have to look at them first. The sunroof? Gotta look at that. Want to adjust the volume? Glance at the radio, or you might accidentally activate the wipers. Why is Volkswagen doing this? According to a translated version of the patent filing:

'As a rule, an increasing number of functions/setting options leads to a deeper menu structure (softkey) or a multiplication of control elements (hardkey). The user is increasingly distracted from the traffic situation during operation.'

So, VW’s solution is to give you one universal controller and then force the driver to glance at whatever they want to control, which seems like it’d be an even bigger distraction than using physical controls.

None of the operations that Volkswagen highlights can be controlled with this technology are vital, but having to adjust seat heating, windows, wipers, multimedia, and more by looking at them first to activate the controls seems like a solution looking for a problem.

[inlinesix]

Without button, manufacturer can add more features with OTA update.

[Stratovarius]

Now then they waking up? I tot Tesla gonna came up with a touch screen steering wheel soon. 

[Heartbreakid]

Good. It's time they stop this nonsense altogether. What can use voice control, motion control. RUBBISH! Buttons are the safest bet! Need no fancy tech. Makers just want to be different for the sake of different.

[Volvobrick]

On 10/6/2025 at 6:16 PM, Stratovarius said:

Now then they waking up? I tot Tesla gonna came up with a touch screen steering wheel soon. 

Followed by touch screen brakes!

[Benarsenal]

On 10/6/2025 at 7:24 PM, Heartbreakid said:

Good. It's time they stop this nonsense altogether. What can use voice control, motion control. RUBBISH! Buttons are the safest bet! Need no fancy tech. Makers just want to be different for the sake of different.

Voice control is very popular in China. Not surprising car manufacturers cater to them.

[Jamesc]

Just one joystick is all they need.

Forward to go Forward,  back to go back, left and right to go left and right. 

Push forward more to go faster. 

Edited October 6 by Jamesc

[Ct3833]

With so many more features and functionalities being built into cars, if without touch screen, the instrument panel  will look like this

but some key, essential and common features should still stick to knobs and buttons. 

[macrosszero]

I used to be able to touch type on the Nokia candy bar keypad system but those keypads steadily disappeared till I had to adapt to touchscreen phones. 

It will be the same for cars

[ER-3682]

On 10/6/2025 at 9:37 PM, Jamesc said:

Just one joystick is all they need.

Forward to go Forward,  back to go back, left and right to go left and right. 

Push forward more to go faster. 

Have you teach your Mother In Law how to use.?

[Volvobrick]

On 10/6/2025 at 9:37 PM, Jamesc said:

Just one joystick is all they need.

Forward to go Forward,  back to go back, left and right to go left and right. 

Push forward more to go faster. 

So it will be called One Stick Driving? 

[ER-3682]

On 10/7/2025 at 9:35 AM, Volvobrick said:

So it will be called One Stick Driving? 

1 Hand Driving.

[Kangadrool]

On 10/6/2025 at 5:59 PM, inlinesix said:

Without button, manufacturer can add more features with OTA update.

may need to subscription. 😅

[Beregond]

Not only touchscreen.

I hope they do away with all the electronic stuff and sensors.

I want my car back to the mechanical ages🤣

[Kangadrool]

Hope to have those handle to crank start just in case the battery is weak also? 😁