Thread: Touch Screens in cars versus Analogue Controls

Originally Posted by speleomike

Just a bad user interface for all?

it’s not about tactile feedback, it’s about motor memory. Fixed controls promote motor memory. Your limbs just know where to go when you want control “x”. Touchscreens, and particularly those with multiple levels of controls where you have to navigate to find a control completely neutralise that, so you need to divert conscious thought interacting with them.

One of the things we do is control room design, and extensive usability studies on “man machine interfaces”. Critical interfaces for work requiring high and uninterrupted concentration absolutely required motor memory to minimise distraction. You don’t get that from programmable interfaces. Is like trying to touch type on an iPad. No physical cues to facilitate digital navigation without optical assistance. That requires concentration.

In case it isn’t obvious I’m anti-touchscreen in critical applications and I consider driving a car a critical application.

edit: it is about tactile feedback where it is used as cues to facilitate motor memory.

I like touchscreens on my stereo but purposely got a stereo that has a volume knob, i have the SWC but just like having that knob - must be a man thing .

Ah :-)

Thanks Brad, the term "motor memory" was unknown to me and Googling that brings up all the good guff. It's absolutely correct, it describes all those things that I can do physically without having to direct my full attention to it. From abseiling to mowing the lawn on the ride-on to using a clutch.

Mike

Interesting topic!

I don’t mind touch screens. But I do like the stereo to have a volume knob to enable quick changes.

I think the D4 has the right mix of both.

I switch from a Series Land Rover to a modern vehicle with touch screen on a regular basis.

The only good thing about the screen is the GPS display and the reversing camera. I find it takes the focus away from looking where you are going when you use it but to be honest I don't use most of the features offered.
The biggest concern if you run a vehicle for some years (ours are usually 10 years in the family) is when it karks it or plays up. I think for my current daily driver it's about $3K for a replacement screen.
It died on me a while back while I was driving....there I am thinking what have I lost access to ?? No radio controls, no heating controls, no GPS but the car would keep going hopefully. Then got a message 'updating system' and after a while it came good fortunately

How long before you plug your phone in and IT becomes the touchscreen ? Then after a few years you'll find your car is obsolete because you can't get a phone any longer that's compatible

Colin