Many car manufacturers have replaced traditional knobs, switches, and buttons with touchscreens, inspired by the trend set by big tech companies, in their efforts to modernize and electrify vehicles.
The main issue is that many drivers despise them intensely.
Apparently, enough customers in Europe complained to Volkswagen that the German car company is bringing back physical buttons and control switches to its new batch of cars.
Volkswagen plans to base its future interior designs on the ID. 2all concept car. The car is an electric four-door vehicle that will be priced at 25,000 Euros and available in Europe. It will have two screens, one for driver information and one for the infotainment system, but will also include physical buttons for controlling the car’s functions.
Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer admitted that customers were dissatisfied with the touchscreens in their vehicles.
Why are drivers so displeased with touchscreens in cars?
Using a touchscreen while driving diverts your attention from the road, is distracting, and requires navigating through multiple menu options. Additionally, if the screen malfunctions, certain functions may not be accessible.
Touchscreens are now the dominant feature in the market, as almost 97 percent of new vehicles now have them. However, customers often dislike flashy and advanced infotainment systems in luxury cars, preferring simpler controls in more affordable vehicles, according to Consumer Reports.
It is clear that people desire controls that are easy to understand and use without much thought. They do not want to go through numerous menu options when switching lanes, as this can lead to dangerous situations.
Rolls-Royce, like Volkswagen, is also aware of the trend for touchscreens in cars. The Spectre, their first electric vehicle, has a simple and classic interior design with traditional buttons and knobs. The hope is that other car manufacturers will understand the importance of reintroducing physical buttons.
Reference- Consumer Reports, Autocars, Inside EVs, Car and Driver, Volkswagen & Rolls-Royce website