Hyundai promises to keep buttons in cars (thedrive.com)

Article summary

Hyundai has pledged to use physical buttons in their future products, citing safety concerns with touchscreen controls. The company's head of design, Sang Yup Lee, emphasized the importance of tactile feedback and ease of use, particularly for safety-related functions. This decision is a departure from the trend of using touchscreens and touch controls in automotive interior design. Hyundai plans to continue using physical buttons until autonomous driving becomes mainstream.

Main themes

• physical buttons vs touchscreens
• safety and usability
• automotive design trends
• user experience
• autonomous vehicles
• driver control and agency

What commenters say

• Some commenters appreciate Hyundai's decision to keep physical buttons, citing their preference for tactile feedback and ease of use.
• Others argue that well-designed touchscreens can be just as safe and convenient as physical buttons.
• A few commenters mention that they have avoided buying certain cars due to their over-reliance on touch controls.
• There is disagreement over whether physical buttons are truly safer than touchscreens, with some arguing that the benefits are overstated.
• Some commenters suggest that voice commands could be a viable alternative to physical buttons and touchscreens.
• Others express frustration with the lack of standardization in car control panels, making it difficult to learn and use different systems.
• A few commenters note that physical buttons can be poorly designed, making them difficult to use without looking.
• There is a concern that the trend towards touchscreens and autonomous vehicles may lead to a loss of driver control and agency.