European car safety body is coming for touchscreens. The European New Car Assessment Programme mandates that key controls need physical buttons or switches
politico.eu
Carmakers are equipping their latest models with fancy touchscreens, but that could cause problems with Europe’s largest car safety authority.
The European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) is revamping its rating system starting Jan. 1, 2026 to mandate that five of a car's primary controls — its horn, windshield wipers, turn signals, hazard warning lights and SOS features — will need physical buttons or switches.
Car models will have to comply to get NCAP's coveted five-star rating. The scheme is voluntary but is heeded by most automakers because it's closely monitored by consumers.
Belgium-based NCAP says that purely digital controls are a potential safety issue.
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Well, I like it for showing me what song is playing and to have my navigation up - but other than that - I don't want to be touching or interacting with it at all.
edit: grammar
well you could design it so, that vehicle just has a hud [heads-up display], or maybe a second passenger screen too, that way engaging with them could be more safety oriented and more aesthetic.
I for one don't want to be looking through something like a HUD when I'm driving. I also don't want a touch screen. A screen that shows me what's on the radio, my nav, and backup is fine, and it needs to have easy to identify and press physical buttons.
industry is shifting towards tesla's interior design because it's much more cheaper. advantage is that they can change it's ui with an update in future. you're probably gonna be okay with 2010's cars tho