I am watching a review on the Porsche Taycan and we have yet another vehicle with screens controlling screens etc. I HATE THIS. THIS IS NOT SAFE.

Look I have no problems with big screens providing lots of configurable data. That said the driver should have access to intuitive tactile physical controls for anything that is typically used while driving. How these are allowed by the DOT boggles my mind.

I think a modern vehicle should come with a bank of configurable physical buttons similar to the BMW head unit but expanded beyond that. Lock out most of the touch screen options while moving barring large gross movement items.

Give the passenger access to a TV sized screen with access to any and everything while moving but only the passenger.

I know, I know get off my lawn but I hate taking eyes off the road to change temperature or adjust a vent or futz with a heated seat or audio.

Sigh. I had to get that out.

The difference being you have to look at the touchscreen for what needs to be activated and the buttons & knobs never move.

As for me, Harmon Kardon makes a fantastic car stereo.

They'll get right on that after they tackle people using ALL CAPS in a thread title.

I've a Honda that has touch screen sound system however, the same controls can be accessed on the steering wheel and pretty intuitive so you don't really have to take your eyes off the road.

Additionally, you can pretty much access most features like navigation, phone and sound system controls by enabling voice control if you wish. I prefer to just let the sound system control itself bluetooth activated thru iPhone and let it fly with the exception of hitting the pause on occasion if needed.

Jap-tech is pretty advanced and works without a hitch so far, they're good with system integration be it touch or voice. I hardly use most of the features but nice to have if you so choose.

I have to say before my wife's X3 I hated most units. The BMW one is so simple to use with the wheel that my hand never leaves the armrest. And 50% of what needs to be accomplished can be done without looking at it.

Even the nav voice recognition works pretty damned well.

quote:

They'll get right on that after they tackle people using ALL CAPS in a thread title

Touche’ errr I mean TOUCHE’ :P

I've also worried... what happens to sight impaired people if everything goes to touchscreens?

^^
Hopefully, they are not driving the car.

I just bought a new Durango. Most of the stuff I want to do are controlled by the steering wheel buttons. I set the touch screen up once after I bought it and dont fool much with now. Anything I want to adjust or change I do so after engine start and before I drive off.
And there is no doubt they can be yet another distraction while driving.

quote:

Originally posted by dlc444:
^^
Hopefully, they are not driving the car.

My Jeep Grand Cherokee Uconnect system is touch screen. But it also has buttons for most stuff you'd commonly operate while driving, incl. temperature, fan speed, track/station change, and volume for the radio.

That being said: I always look to where my hands and fingers are going even with physical controls, anyway, and the touch screen on my Uconnect system is so good, I rarely use the physical buttons.

My Ram has a touch screen but it also has physical buttons on the steering wheel and on the console so I can do most functions without looking down including controls for my cell phone.

It also has a voice recognition system that lets me change most settings using voice commands.

My biggest bitch about my car is the stupid touch screen. I don't want to pull over to change my heat settings or radio station. Why did they put everything on the touch screen? Why not buttons for commonly used functions? F#$@ Ford SYNC 3.

The Tesla I'm borrowing has a huge screen and no buttons.

It drives itself, so no issue having to look away momentarily.

But yeah, I'd love a car with milled aluminum switches, leather wrapped knobs and levers, open pore wood finishes, and engraved dials with understated LCD screens...maybe one day the luxury brands will go back that direction...

2017 Mercedes E63.
Owned one. They got it right. Big screen, all kinds of options. Controlled by a disc that turned and pushed. Once understood, it was a million times better than a touchscreen. It was a PITA at first, but when I dumped the Merc, and got a car with a touchscreen, I thought what an archaic POS.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
My biggest bitch about my car is the stupid touch screen. I don't want to pull over to change my heat settings or radio station. Why did they put everything on the touch screen? Why not buttons for commonly used functions? F#$@ Ford SYNC 3.

Have you tried using voice commands? I have SYNC 3 and don't have to pull over for radio and climate control settings. There's buttons ands knobs for those functions. Navigation uses voice commands. Setting up a new Bluetooth connection is the only thing I've had to pull over for.

^^^^This. I'd much rather use voice commands. Of course, I'm much too cheap to own a car with a touch screen (and my wife would have a fit. She HATES tech.)

I'm old enough to remember my uncle's DeSoto with an ivory steering wheel and dashboard knobs. His widow kept the cigarette lighter insert. Too cool.

quote:

I've also worried... what happens to sight impaired people if everything goes to touchscreens?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Excellent point. The Space program was smart about this stuff they hired Human Factor Psychologists who designed controls that were easily understood and intuitive. I have very poor visual attention to detail but well above average auditory memory and skills. These sorts of displays cause problems for me.

Web sites that have light grey printing on a white background are impossible for me. I predict there will be a few lawsuits and the designs may change. There is a movement within the Tech community to make things more accessible and intuitive. There is a huge market for this sort of thing and hopefully it will change.

= =

I'm just happy that i can actually drive still. When i was a kid all the popular mechanics type magazines said we wouldn't be driving any longer. This scared the shit out of me. I wanted to drive! Not have the car drive for me!

I generally like physical buttons as well and understand the OP's plight. My gripe is that the touchscreens on some of these cars are no where near as good on the touch part as the phone in your shirt pocket. Tesla being the only one i have experience with that is actually decent.