Tesla has taken a bold step in simplifying car interiors by eliminating nearly all physical controls, relying solely on touchscreen interfaces. However, their latest move, replacing stalks with touch controls, has drawn criticism from Euro NCAP. The agency insists on retaining physical controls for critical functions to maintain maximum safety ratings.
The debate over physical buttons versus touchscreen controls has become increasingly contentious, particularly with Tesla’s extreme approach of eliminating most physical controls.
While some Tesla owners embrace this as a sign of modernity, others express concerns about safety and usability.
Tesla’s decision to remove stalks, including turn indicator and drive selector stalks, with the launch of the refreshed Model S and Model X in 2021 sparked significant backlash. Despite Tesla’s subsequent revisions, the elimination of physical controls remains a point of contention.
The impact of Tesla’s design choices extends beyond user preferences. Euro NCAP’s recent declaration to mandate physical controls for critical safety functions reflects growing concerns over the safety implications of touchscreen-centric cockpits.
This decision underscores the importance of maintaining intuitive, tactile interfaces to minimize driver distraction and ensure safer driving experiences.
