Cars are going back from touchscreens to physical buttons because…

Key Highlights

• This design choice prioritises quick access to essential functions without the need for menu navigation or screen taps.
• Volkswagen joins a broader trend where manufacturers reconsider the all screen approach that swept through vehicles over the past decade, driven by customer feedback and safety data. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADProblems with touchscreen dominanceCar makers eagerly swapped physical switches for expansive touchscreens around ten years ago, aiming for sleek modern interiors and futuristic appeal.
• However, drivers quickly found these systems frustrating and hazardous during real world use.
• Adjusting basic settings like air conditioning or volume meant scrolling through multiple submenus while keeping eyes off the road, creating substantial safety risks especially in motion.
• The complexity slowed reactions significantly and divided attention in ways traditional controls never did, leading to widespread complaints about practicality. More from Tech India is now a smartphone export powerhouse — a success story of PLI scheme China: Alibaba’s AI model detecting deadly cancers that doctors fail to spot in testsEvidence of touchscreen drawbacksIndependent studies have confirmed these concerns, demonstrating that touchscreen operations take considerably longer than physical alternatives and substantially heighten driver distraction levels.