Car touchscreens revisited: Is high-tech really safer?

As the automotive industry continues to evolve, touchscreens have become standard equipment in many vehicles. From Tesla to other car brands, touch screens are considered a symbol of fashion and technology. However, does this seemingly high-tech design really bring convenience to the driver? In recent years, more and more consumers and automakers have begun to reflect on this issue.

1. The birth and popularization of touch screen

Tesla was one of the first companies to incorporate touchscreens into its cars, calling its cars "tablets on wheels." Since then, many car brands have followed suit, and touch screens have become a popular trend. From a cost standpoint, touchscreens do have advantages over traditional physical buttons and knobs. However, touch screens are not necessarily more efficient in actual use than traditional control methods.

Car touch screen

2. Potential safety hazards brought by touch screen

While touchscreens offer certain conveniences, their biggest problem is that they distract the driver. Instead of intuitive physical buttons and knobs in the past, drivers now need to constantly switch between menus to find the desired function. Research by the AAA Foundation found that using a touchscreen can distract a driver for up to 40 seconds. In the case of high-speed driving, this undoubtedly increases the risk of accidents.

3. Reflection and adjustment of automakers

In recent years, many consumers have expressed dissatisfaction with the use of touch screens, believing that they do not enhance the driving experience or increase safety. In addition, some media also pointed out that the touch screen was born to solve non-existent problems. Car manufacturers have begun to pay attention to this phenomenon, and gradually adjust the design concept.

Porsche is the first to bring back the use of physical buttons and knobs in its 2024 Cayenne. Volkswagen Group followed suit, saying that future electric vehicles will add more physical buttons. Additionally, brands such as Nissan and Hyundai tout the benefits of sticking with physical controls to satisfy consumers.

4. Future Outlook

While some automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and GM are still sticking with touchscreens, the focus on safety and ease of use has gradually changed the industry's trends. Automakers need to weigh the pros and cons of touchscreens to find the solution that best suits consumer needs. In future car designs, touch screens and physical buttons may coexist for a more optimized driving experience.

The following trends may emerge in future car design:

A fusion of touchscreen and physical controls

Some automakers may strike a balance between touchscreens and physical controls, combining the two. For example, use touchscreens for navigation and entertainment systems, while reserving physical buttons and knobs for common functions such as climate control, volume control, etc.

Application of augmented reality technology

As the technology develops, Augmented Reality (AR) technology may be widely used in the automotive industry. By projecting virtual images into the driver's field of vision, AR technology can allow drivers to intuitively understand navigation, speed and other information without moving their eyes, thereby reducing the driver's safety hazards when using the touch screen.

Popularity of voice control systems

The application of intelligent voice assistants in the automotive field is gradually maturing. They can allow drivers to control in-vehicle systems through voice commands during driving, thereby reducing the use of touch screens. With the development of natural language processing technology, future voice assistants will be more intelligent, able to understand and execute complex instructions, and become the driver's right-hand assistant.

In conclusion, automakers need to carefully design and apply touch screens based on consumer needs and market trends. On the premise of ensuring driving safety and convenience, innovation and technology can exert their greatest value.