The screens in modern cars keep getting bigger. Design teams at most car manufacturers love to ditch physical buttons and switches, although they are far superior safety-wise.
That is the conclusion when Swedish car magazine Vi Bilägare performed a thurough test of the HMI system (Human-Machine Interface) in a total of twelve cars this summer.
Inspiration for the screen-heavy interiors in modern cars comes from smartphones and tablets. Designers want a "clean" interior with minimal switchgear, and the financial department wants to lower the cost. Instead of developing, manufacturing and keeping physical buttons in stock for years to come, car manufacturers are keen on integrating more functions into a digital screen which can be updated over time.
So in what way have these screens affected safety? Vi Bilägare gathered eleven modern cars from different manufacturers at an airfield och measured the time needed for a driver to perform different simple tasks, such as changing the radio station or adjusting the climate control. At the same time, the car was driven at 110 km/h (68 mph). We also invited an "old-school" car without a touchscreen, a 17-year-old Volvo V70, for comparison.
One important aspect of this test is that the drivers had time to get to know the cars and their infotainment systems before the test started.
Tesla was not the first to introduce a touchscreen, but the American carmaker has always offered bigger touchscreens than most manufacturers, containing more of the car's features. Even the windshield wipers are controlled through the touchscreen.
[...] The carmakers are keen to point out that many features now can be activated by voice. But the voice control systems are not always easy to use, they can't control every function and they don't always work as advertised, which is why the voice control systems were not tested in this experiment.
The results speak for themselves. The worst-performing car needs 1,400 meters to perform the same tasks for which the best-performing car only needs 300 meters.
Needing to use a touchscreen for the wipers would drive me mad.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by RedGreen on Friday August 19 2022, @04:11PM (7 children)
I wonder what rocket scientist came up with this, to bad they were not running the school for car design. Every time I am forced to drive one of them garbage things with those displays I hate it. My car has the physical controls and as long as I can find them old enough to have them they will. Now get off my lawn..
"I modded down, down, down, and the flames went higher." -- Sven Olsen
(Score: 5, Touché) by maxwell demon on Friday August 19 2022, @04:17PM (3 children)
Maybe they want to make human driving as unsafe as possible, so their self-driving cars look better in comparison. :-)
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 2) by RedGreen on Friday August 19 2022, @06:08PM
"Maybe they want to make human driving as unsafe as possible, so their self-driving cars look better in comparison. :-)"
Well you have me beat for certain, even I am not that cynical for that thought to have come in my mind. Though now you have mentioned it I would not put it past them after all they have fought safety improvements from the beginning by every means they could muster.
"I modded down, down, down, and the flames went higher." -- Sven Olsen
(Score: 3, Funny) by fustakrakich on Friday August 19 2022, @07:05PM (1 child)
Working the touchscreen, especially with gestures, is a great sobriety test...
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2022, @07:17PM
> ... a great sobriety test...
Yep, it even makes sober drivers weave like they are drunk, if they try to change a touch screen setting while driving.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Bartblewafart on Friday August 19 2022, @11:52PM (2 children)
You think anyone and everyone would know that a button/control that you can touch and feel and differentiate it from the one next to it with your finger as you keep your eyes on the road would perform better than a flat smooth rectangle of glass that offers zero tactile response and requires the driver taking his eyes off the road to tap/press?
The F35 cockpit has half a dozen touchscreens that replaced dozens of buttons, and it suffers from the same issue. They discovered pilots need to look at the touchscreen to find the button and keep their eyes on the screen to see the response to know if the button was tapped. With mechanical butttons you quickly glance to find the button, but are able to look away as they press the button and know if it was sucessful by the feel of the button being pressed or clicked.
A second or two of distraction can matter immensely either when driving in traffic, or engaging the enemy in a fighter jet.
(Score: 1) by Runaway1956 on Saturday August 20 2022, @12:52AM (1 child)
True and not true. It kinda depends on how often you use the button, and how well muscle memory has developed for that particular button. Since pilots seldom use the eject button, they'll probably have to glance, and the feedback is quite certain. Other controls that are in constant use, not so much. Think of your gaming joystick - you might glance at the controller when you pick it up, to be certain it is oriented as you expect. Once immersed in the game, you might not look at the controller again for days!
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 2) by mhajicek on Saturday August 20 2022, @06:47AM
Usually, pulling the "eject" happens when you're done with the fight anyway.
The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
(Score: 5, Interesting) by progo on Friday August 19 2022, @04:17PM (16 children)
I've heard that in Europe, they still have dials on toasters, microwave ovens, and baking ovens. If you've never used one of those appliances before, it couldn't be any easier to figure out -- no need to ask the owner: Set the power level and the time, and you're done.
Every time I use someone else's microwave oven at home in USA I have to think for 2 minutes like a programmer. I shouldn't have to solve a puzzle just to heat coffee.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Friday August 19 2022, @04:24PM (7 children)
I'm with you on the microwave ovens. It wouldn't be so bad if there was a standard layout for cook time and power level. On some, the cook time button is buried in among a bunch of specialized function buttons that most people probably never use.
(Score: 2) by EvilSS on Friday August 19 2022, @07:56PM (3 children)
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Friday August 19 2022, @08:18PM (2 children)
Or maybe a programmable layout? I dunno, labels would be somewhat difficult.
(Score: 2) by Dr Spin on Saturday August 20 2022, @01:09PM (1 child)
It would be easy if the ditched the Icons and used words instead.
Warning: Opening your mouth may invalidate your brain!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 20 2022, @03:35PM
Words? You racist, you're discriminating against the illiterate! Think of the children!
(Score: 1) by Bartblewafart on Saturday August 20 2022, @12:09AM (2 children)
I've used ones that don't have a Start/Cook button. You enter the time and if there is no other user input in 5 seconds then it starts cooking. Nothing on the mw that says "enter time and wait 5 seconds". Confusing as hell.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Saturday August 20 2022, @01:37AM (1 child)
How is this happening? The world is getting stupider. What product designer / manager would ever say "yup, that's a great idea. Customers will love it." Crap like that will end up in furnished apartments, hotels, etc.
(Score: 2) by mhajicek on Saturday August 20 2022, @06:50AM
We can save $0.05 per unit by eliminating a button, and the user won't notice the inconvenience until after they paid? Brilliant!
The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
(Score: 3, Funny) by DeathMonkey on Friday August 19 2022, @04:44PM (4 children)
Step 1 find the Coffee button
Step 2 Hey dumbass, this is America, Coffee buttons don't do ANYTHING!
Step 3 try to figure out how to put 30 seconds on the timer.
Step 4 Begin typing 3 but now it's running for 3 minutes.
Step 5 Stand there and watch it count down 30 seconds.
Step 6 Remove coffee
Step 7 Clear remainig time because we're not monsters!
Jeez, this is so easy, not sure why you struggle with it!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2022, @07:04PM (3 children)
Our Magic Chef only needs one button press:
Insert cold beverage & close door
hit "Add Minute" touch button
{fan noise}
"beep!"
open door & remove hot beverage
And it was only about $100 at Home Depot, exact fit replacement for the wall mounted one that failed after ~12 years.
(Score: 2) by ElizabethGreene on Saturday August 20 2022, @12:59AM (1 child)
This is the way. The "Add 30 seconds" and "Stop/Clear" buttons cover 70% of our use cases.
(Score: 2) by mhajicek on Saturday August 20 2022, @06:53AM
Mine has a digital interface, but a dial you turn to add time, which uses a sort of logarithmic scale.
The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
(Score: 3, Funny) by DeathMonkey on Tuesday August 23 2022, @09:25PM
I'm just glad I managed to find, and offend, the only microwave UI designer on the planet!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2022, @10:11PM (1 child)
(Score: 5, Interesting) by anubi on Friday August 19 2022, @11:44PM
About 40 years ago, when these things were extremely expensive, I was gifted an inoperative "Litton Magic Chef" microwave oven.
It's microprocessor control panel had a mind of its own, and at the time, I hadn't the foggiest idea how to fix or replace it. Out of warranty. For the price the local repair shop quoted me, I saw why it was given to me as a take apart toy. Everyone at the Refinery knew I loved to take things apart, and once in a blue moon, actually put it back together!
So, I took it apart. Much to my delight, I discovered all I needed was power to the main transformer to power the thing up. All that controller did was cycle and time the power to the transformer via a Triac.
Well, down to the hardware store I go to get one of those Cramer ( Intermatic Mark-Time )spring timer sauna switches. The one that fits standard light switch mounting and works like a spring wound egg timer, except it opens 20A contacts instead of ringing a bell.
And cut a piece of aluminum the same size as the original control panel. Mounted the switch and wired it in.
While reading this forum, I suddenly realized that same microwave is still sitting on my kitchen counter!
It runs full power until it times out. One knob.
That dam things been running for 40 years! I had nearly forgotten about it, cuz it just works the same every time I need it...like grandpa's old Triplett 630
( but I still think of Grandpa every time I use it. Although, I can no longer get the old Burgess U20 ( 30 volt battery), it now runs a stack of 10 3V lithium coin cells held together with silver conductive paint and duct tape ), and wish he was still here.)
So much for the sortie down memory lane reading my parent tripped off...
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 3, Informative) by Common Joe on Wednesday August 24 2022, @05:04PM
I can confirm. I haven't gone shopping for toasters and microwave ovens in a few years, so I don't know what they are selling today, but our toaster and microwave have knobs. They are not digital at all. I guess my stuff is about 7 or 8 years old.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Barenflimski on Friday August 19 2022, @04:52PM (4 children)
My car has one of those touch screens. Hate it.
The steering wheel has a bunch of buttons, much like a playstation controller. I use those buttons and toggles instead of ever using that screen. I feel for the folks that can't figure out the steering wheel controls though....
Between hardly being able to read it in the sun, and having to look away from the road to make sure I'm touching it in the right place, its awful. Its dangerous.
Amazing we need a study to figure this out. I guess I shouldn't be amazed at this...
(Score: 2, Touché) by anubi on Saturday August 20 2022, @12:00AM (3 children)
Kudos to the younger generation for figuring it out!
Here, I am formally educated in electrical engineering, control systems, and computer science, and this thing totally flummoxed me to the point I bought a 30 year old diesel van to avoid the hassle of having to deal with new technology while trying to drive.
I know. Typical engineer. One trick pony. One track mind. Focused. And when I am driving, it takes all of me to do it. The consequences of even one missed interrupt are far too grave. Literally.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Saturday August 20 2022, @01:43AM (2 children)
EE here too. I can handle tech, but I think we're engineers because we're strongly motivated by function and efficiency. I don't see a dashboard touchscreen as efficient in any way, nor necessary. And I wouldn't begrudge the gadget-lovers, but it has to be distracting drivers from looking at the road. I don't understand how DOT or NHTSA gave this stuff their blessing.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by optotronic on Saturday August 20 2022, @02:18AM (1 child)
I'm neither a lawyer nor employed in the auto industry, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are no regulations about user interface. It seems as though in the US safety of car systems isn't regulated until enough people die and enough people complain about it. Wouldn't want to make it harder to make money, right?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by RS3 on Saturday August 20 2022, @02:52AM
Sadly I think you've got it. But it seems so messed up that you can get a hefty fine and points against your driving record for distracted driving, as well should be. Yet DOT approves something that could get people in trouble for paying attention to it, but also get people in trouble for ignoring it.
(Score: 2, Flamebait) by dwilson98052 on Friday August 19 2022, @06:09PM (1 child)
...DUH!!!
All close "clever" programmers turned wannabe automotive engineers at Tesla are fucking idiot.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2022, @07:32PM
How many of these panels will even WORK in 20 years?
(Score: 2, Troll) by Dr Spin on Friday August 19 2022, @06:55PM (1 child)
The Pope is wet ;-/
Warning: Opening your mouth may invalidate your brain!
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2022, @07:06PM
https://gregfallis.com/2020/09/26/is-the-pope-wet/ [gregfallis.com]
(Score: 4, Insightful) by ilsa on Friday August 19 2022, @07:24PM (1 child)
How in the world is this not blindingly obvious right from the outset.
Your eyes need to stay on the road. If you need to use a touch screen, you need to _look_ at the touch screen to know where to tap. This is especially true with the interface can change in any myriad of ways.
Physical buttons do not change. Once you've learned them, you can use them without taking your eyes off the road.
There is exactly one reason to move everything to touchscreen: It's cheaper for the manufacturer.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by canopic jug on Friday August 19 2022, @07:38PM
There is exactly one reason to move everything to touchscreen: It's cheaper for the manufacturer.
I would have thought that planned obsolescence would have been a higher priority for them. That and being able to upsell subscriptions for even basic functionality on up to luxury features.
Money is not free speech. Elections should not be auctions.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Quicksilver on Friday August 19 2022, @07:50PM (2 children)
Controls in a car should always be able to be operated with your eyes closed because taking your eyes off the road is WRONG.
People are quick to bash on cell phones but the exact same thing permanently installed in a car is a major sales point. WTH???
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 19 2022, @08:37PM (1 child)
Maybe it's time for an SN protest! Flash mob out in front of the GM Design Center!!
Big signs on sticks, "Buttons yes, Touchscreens NO!", "Hell no (radio/HVAC knobs), we won't GO!", "Just say NO to Touchscreens" ...
Touch screens gleaned from wrecks available for smashing on the ground?
First target:
General Motors Design Center, 30100 Mound Rd, Warren, MI 48092
What is an appropriate day, maybe Labor Day?
(Score: 3, Touché) by maxwell demon on Saturday August 20 2022, @10:30AM
National Button Day [daysoftheyear.com] of course!
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by SomeGuy on Friday August 19 2022, @08:55PM
Because obviously cars are sooo much like smart phones. And smart phones are soooo gloriously wonderful. Everything has to be like a smart phone, right?
Because they or their managers are idiots who don't care about your safety.
At the price of your safety and any common sense (and anything else of yours they can sacrifice)
So you have to re-learn everything all over.
Then so they can advertise at you (if they arn't already). Because your eyes only exist to be raped over and over by their advertising.
Then finally, they integrate the ability to disable your entire car after so many years "because safeteythinkofthechildrenyoucantbetoosafepollywannacracker".
Or, you know, they could standardize the physical devices across vehicles so they don't have a hojillion different knobs and things. But that would make too much sense.
I just put the CD in my CD player and it starts playing. Up and down to move through tracks. Eject when done. I didn't even have to read the manual. (No, I don't happen to have a cassette or 8-track, why?)
So how thick are the manuals for these overcomplicated touch screen systems? Sigh. You have to read them on the screen, or there aren't any, right?
A few years back I had to ride with someone in a company vehicle that used a stupid touch screen to at least partially control the air conditioner. Between the two of us, we never did figure it out. What is so fucking horribly wrong with a simple pair of knobs to turn on/set speed and cool/heat? Oh, but it's not like a glorious fucking smart phone! Everything MUST be like a smart phone!
Becauuse it is already hard enough to see the road, so taking your eyes off of it won't really matter, right? Right? CRASH!
Sure, voice activation in a noisy car, especially if there are other noisy people in it. Great fucking idea. Morons. It probably listens to everything you say so it can monetize you. Even KITT had an actual button for TURBO BOOST.
Every single car buyer on the planet should be rejecting this touch screen crap. But consumertards actually love this crap.
I really hope I die before I have to buy a new car. Because if I don't, then I will shortly after.
(Score: 2) by dltaylor on Friday August 19 2022, @09:00PM (2 children)
Until recently I had a 2004 XJR that was a perfect blend of buttons and touch screen. For actions performed while driving, there were nicely-sized buttons around the touchscreen, so once I had become accustomed to their location, I never had to take my eyes off the road. The nav system (another well-implemented system), infrequently-used sound system controls (balance, fade, EQ), and other settings, for example, km/miles, were on the touchscreen.
Later XJs had crummy interfaces, although I was OK with replacing the gauge cluster with an LCD panel. The panel had vaious skins, including one that nicely replicated distinct gauges.
When I am done with my current need for a pickup truck, I may well buy another similar vintage XJR
(Score: 4, Interesting) by anubi on Saturday August 20 2022, @12:49AM
I'm updating my 30 year old van with Arduino technology to monitor and log engine function and maintenance/troubleshooting issues. Yet I will have no change in dash controls. I love them just as they are. I am implementing minimal tweaks.
1) I want to lockout both engine start and transmission controls if I "lock" the van via a sequence of operating it's controls known only to me and my Arduino.
2) I will use my speedometer during startup as how the Arduino greets me with a report on glow plugs status. Just sweeps the pointer past eight locations, and wags over the ones that didn't draw expected current. Or a quickie midscale wag to remind me to unlock.
3) Implement the Check Engine light. Gassers dashes have this. My diesel has the indicator, but not wired to anything. For me, it will just tell me I need to shut down the Diesel engine, log into the Arduino, and read the log.
With something like this.
http://hmicontroller.weebly.com [weebly.com]
So I can divert all that touchscreen stuff to my phone.
I won't rule out realtime monitoring/control, but my intentions are that piddling with the Arduino will NOT be when I am driving. Possible, but only under extenuating circumstances.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by isostatic on Saturday August 20 2022, @07:58PM
My 2021 Skoda Fabia has this. Phsyical controls on the steering wheel and the centre console for changing channels, volume, etc, as well as changing driver display (distance, speed, etc), touchscreen for carplay
It also has a real key, far nicer than one of those stupid keyless fobs.