Automakers are starting to admit that drivers hate touchscreens (slate.com)

Article summary

Automakers are starting to move away from touch screens in cars due to consumer backlash and safety concerns. The trend towards touch screens was driven by cost savings and a desire to appear modern, but it has led to increased distraction and accidents. Some car manufacturers, such as Porsche and Volkswagen, are now incorporating more physical buttons and knobs into their designs. This shift is seen as a positive step towards improving road safety.

Main themes

• touch screens in cars
• road safety
• user interface design
• voice recognition technology
• automotive trends
• consumer preference

What commenters say

• Some people prefer touch screens and find them convenient to use, especially when combined with voice commands.
• Others argue that physical buttons are safer and more intuitive to use while driving, as they can be operated by feel without looking away from the road.
• The use of voice recognition technology is seen as a potential solution to the problem of distraction, but its effectiveness can be limited by factors such as accent and background noise.
• There is a need for a balance between physical buttons and touch screens, with essential functions being controlled by physical buttons and less frequently used functions being accessible through a touch screen.
• The development of new technologies, such as morphing touch screens and tactile feedback, could potentially improve the usability and safety of touch screens in cars.
• Some commenters believe that the shift away from touch screens is driven by consumer preference, while others see it as a necessary step to improve safety.
• The effectiveness of voice recognition technology is expected to improve with the introduction of large language models, which can better understand natural language and accents.