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Honda bucks industry trend by removing touchscreen controls (autocar.co.uk)

1922 points by trenning · 2382 days ago · 743 comments on HN

Article summary

Honda is removing touchscreen controls from their vehicles, a decision that is seen as a departure from the industry trend. The move is likely in response to customer feedback and a desire to improve usability and safety. Some commenters suggest that this decision may be influenced by other manufacturers, such as Mazda, who have also opted for physical controls. The removal of touchscreen controls may be a step towards a more intuitive and driver-friendly interface.

Main themes

  • touchscreen controls
  • physical controls
  • usability
  • safety
  • driver interface
  • industry trends

What commenters say

  • Touchscreen controls in cars are a bad idea and can be a distraction for drivers.
  • Physical controls, such as knobs and buttons, are more intuitive and safer to use while driving.
  • Some features, such as configuration settings, are well-suited for touchscreen controls and do not need to be operated while the vehicle is in motion.
  • The trend towards touchscreen controls in cars has led to a proliferation of unnecessary features and settings.
  • Alternative UI interfaces, such as key-driven soft menus, can be more effective and safer than touchscreens.
  • The decision to remove touchscreen controls may be a response to customer feedback and a desire to improve usability and safety.
  • Some commenters argue that touchscreens are not necessary for any features in a car and that physical controls are always a better option.
  • Others suggest that a combination of physical controls and touchscreens can provide the best of both worlds.