Newer cars are almost a spaceship, with multimedia screens that control almost everything in the vehicle. However, Honda puts its foot down on this trend and does not give up on physical buttons, betting on safer and more intuitive driving.
Is Honda right?
In recent years, the automobile industry has been moving towards a design dominated by touch screens, which replace most of the physical buttons that we have always known in the interior of cars.
This movement reflects brands' efforts to make their vehicles more modern and integrated with digital technology, in an attempt to replicate the experience of using smartphones and tablets.
However, there is a village that resists: to Honda. She decided to follow a different path from other manufacturers, betting on more physical buttons and fewer touch screens in its new models.
It's true, Honda is once again introducing more physical buttons to its vehicles' control panels, reducing dependence on touch screens. This decision was made based on feedback from consumers, who revealed some dissatisfaction with the use of screens in certain functions.
Many users find that in driving situations, physical buttons provide a more intuitive and safer experience as they can be easily identified and operated without taking attention away from the road.
In this sense, Honda argues that physical buttons are more suitable for essential vehicle functions, such as volume control, climate control or navigation.
Furthermore: the Japanese brand believes that, by simplifying the design and providing a control panel that is less dependent on screens, it can offer a more practical and safe driving experience. In other words, the aim is to create a balance between technology and usability, responding to the need for modernity, without compromising comfort and safety.
The debate between screens and physical buttons
The trend toward touchscreens in vehicles was born out of the need to offer greater personalization and functionality to drivers. With a touch screen, manufacturers are able to integrate multiple functions and applications into a single space, reducing the number of physical buttons and simplifying the cabin design. However, this approach has its drawbacks, particularly when it comes to security.
Driving requires constant attention to the road, and in many situations, interacting with a touchscreen can divert the driver's focus long enough to pose a risk. Unlike physical buttons, which can be felt and used without looking, touchscreens require the driver to divert attention to locate the desired function, which can be dangerous in heavy traffic situations or adverse conditions.
In fact, in 2019 the Portuguese Association of Motorway or Toll Bridge Concession Companies (APCAP) drew attention to this safety problem, indicating that accidents caused by lack of attention, particularly due to the use of technology, such as cell phones and car multimedia solutions, had increased by almost 10% that year. And the situation hasn't improved since then.
Then there is the tendency for drivers to prefer the simplicity and tangibility of physical buttons, especially for basic operations that are frequently adjusted while driving, such as temperature and audio volume.
This feedback, which came from drivers, was essential for Honda to reconsider its interior design and opt for a greater number of physical controls.
Advantages of physical buttons when driving
Honda's decision to incorporate more physical buttons in its vehicles has several advantages, which can benefit both drivers and passengers:
- Security: Physical buttons are easier to locate and use without taking your attention off the road. The driver can operate the controls by "intuition", while a touch screen requires greater visual concentration.
- Comfort and ergonomics: Physical buttons provide haptic feedback that many drivers find more satisfying. This type of control is especially important in difficult driving conditions, such as potholed roads or adverse weather conditions, where the accuracy of touching a screen may be compromised.
- Durability: Physical buttons tend to be longer lasting and work better in different temperatures and environmental conditions. In contrast, touchscreens can be susceptible to damage and failure, especially over the years and constant exposure to sun and temperature.
- Ease of use for all drivers: Honda also considers that physical buttons facilitate adaptation for users of different ages and experiences. Many drivers, particularly older ones, feel more comfortable with physical buttons and may find touchscreens confusing or difficult to operate.
Market and competition
With Honda's announcement, other automotive brands are expected to re-evaluate the excessive use of touchscreens.
In recent years, several brands have increased the integration of digital technology into their vehicles, but they have also received feedback from consumers who value simplicity and usability.
As such, this decision by Honda could influence other manufacturers to balance the adoption of technology with more practical and intuitive features, creating cabins that mix the best of both worlds.
Additionally, the trend toward a return to physical buttons could signal a paradigm shift in the industry that puts user experience at the center of interior design.
That said, Honda's approach of reincorporating physical buttons into its cars is a reflection of a deep understanding of its customers' needs. Instead of blindly following the trend of total digitalization, the Japanese brand is listening to what drivers really want: a more intuitive, safe and comfortable driving experience.
Source: pplware.sapo.pt
