"Now, as automakers face regulatory pressures and customer blowback, some of the industry's biggest names are reversing course and reintroducing physical buttons. Audi's upcoming 2027 e-tron updates promise a more "tactile" interior experience. Ferrari's first EV - designed in collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive - is filled with physical controls. Even Tesla is redesigning its flush door handles."
"Tesla's Model S, its first-ever ground-up design, centered much of its interface around a 17-inch touchscreen. "It gives cars a more high-tech look and feel," Abuelsamid said. "Also, it cut costs. It costs a lot of money to develop and validate physical controls." When Tesla's sales started to take off, the industry tried to mimic the sleek styling. Throughout the industry, the influence of Tesla's pared-down approach was evident. Volkswagen's ID.4 never had climate knobs. Rivian's door handles electronically slid inside the door frame."
When automakers shifted to electric, interiors became dominated by large touchscreens and minimalist controls. Climate control knobs vanished, door handles retracted into body panels, and audio dials turned into haptic sliders. Tesla's Model S popularized a 17-inch touchscreen and influenced many rivals to adopt screen-heavy designs. That approach offered a high-tech aesthetic and reduced development costs by replacing physical controls. Growing regulatory rules on door handles and screen safety, along with customer frustration, have prompted several manufacturers to bring back tactile buttons and redesigned handles. Examples include Audi's 2027 e-tron updates, Ferrari's control-rich EV, and Tesla's revised flush handles.
Read at Business Insider
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