[RahulNagaraj]

According to a report, a Hyundai executive confirmed that the company initially tried switching to one massive touchscreen to control almost all the features and tech in its cars. However, focus groups proved that Hyundai's American customers preferred physical buttons and knobs over a touchscreen for most controls.

The report also mentions how touchscreen controls often demand more attention from the driver, as many of the functions are buried in submenus, making them frustrating to use and sometimes even dangerous.



Ha Hak-soo, VP of Hyundai, stated, "As we were adding integrated [infotainment] screens in our vehicles, we also tried out putting touchscreen-based controls, and people didn’t prefer that." He further added, "When we tested with our focus group, we realized that people get stressed, annoyed, and steamed when they want to control something in a pinch but are unable to do so."

Hyundai even admitted that it was initially wowed by Tesla's interior cabin design. However, that excitement soon faded away.

Source: Korea Joonang Daily

Link to Team-BHP news

[Sids85]

Common sense prevail!!!!

[shankz]

Good decision- the one major putoff for me during my Nexon test drive was the all-touchscreen infotainment panel. Unsafe and distracting feature.

Better late than never for Hyundai.

[Flyingdutchman]

Good decision by Hyundai. But I believe this is sort of Apple Type C saga. As per new Euro NCAP norms, Cars that put a certain set of essential controls in a touchscreen interface will be awarded less safety ratings 2026 onwards. The same has been said about the screens in the cars as well. So manufactures operating in Europe really don't have any choice but to comply.

EU is doing god's work nowadays. First with Type C and now with this. I really admire them for showing the spine against the stubbornness of MNC's (Lot of it comes from civics sense of their politicians/citizens and Euro's purchasing power, offcourse).

P.S. Dear Hyundai, although physical buttons are welcome; we don't want 90's commerical airplane like cockpit in the car either. Just look at the number of buttons in 2024 Creta N line!! Nobody like extremities.

[vivee90]

This news brings back memories of a course I had designed in 2018 where students at SASTRA UNIVERSITY, Tanjore were given a hands-on experience in a simulated driving environment.

They played a simulator game while doing a designated task, first using a conventional HMI with buttons and sliders and in the next lap did the same via a touch screen. We then evaluated the performances and perceptions to show them how to make a design choice using user testing.



It makes me smile with satisfaction and I hope that a few of them will remember the session if they come across the news

Thanks for sharing!

[darkchild82]

They needed to do focus testing to realize that?! Hyundai's staff didn't know how distracting it is to navigate menus to access features...while trying to keep an eye on the road? Chinese EVs aren't hi-tech for putting everything into a tablet or offering voice commands. It's a COST CUTTING feature -- that's it! Buttons over screens any day!

[Joe367]

A very welcome decision from Hyundai. I can't even find an app on my phone without looking at, in a phone that I use 5-6 hrs a day. I hate using voice commands as well.