The European vehicle safety assessment organization EuroNCAP has started to consider menu-based controls and swipe gestures on touchscreens unsuitable. New standards require manufacturers to keep physical buttons for critical functions, or face a deduction from the 5-star safety rating. Beyond Europe, Trung Quoc is also considering similar regulations, indicating that the trend of fully integrated screen controls may decline in the future.

Specifically, starting this year, EuroNCAP mandates that functions such as turn signals, windshield wipers, hazard lights, the horn, and emergency calls (SOS) must be controlled via physical buttons, not touchscreens. Failure to comply will result in a one-star safety deduction for the vehicle. Although not a legal regulatory body, EuroNCAP's safety assessments greatly influence consumers and automakers. According to Auto News, manufacturers have about three years to modify interior designs if they wish to maintain high ratings.

Frank Mütze, a representative of the European Transport Safety Council, believes this is only the beginning. According to him, lawmakers need to go further by making the use of physical buttons for important functions a mandatory regulation, arguing that the more time drivers spend interacting with screens, the less they focus on the road.

Tesla Model S with key functions integrated via a touchscreen. *Photo: Tesla*

Most new vehicles still have physical buttons for basic functions like turn signals, hazard lights, the horn, or SOS. However, exceptions exist, such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, which only feature a basic wiper stalk. Detailed adjustments require interaction on the central screen, which can be inconvenient during sudden weather changes.

In Trung Quoc, regulatory bodies are also considering similar regulations to restrict the complete control of vehicle functions via screens. A recent proposal mandates that core functions such as turn signals, emergency calls, and gear shifting must use physical buttons or switches with a minimum size of 10x10 mm.

This could challenge Tesla, as the Model 3 and Model Y's main functions rely almost entirely on the screen, including gear shifting. While backup buttons exist, this arrangement is less intuitive.

Experts suggest that, given the scale and influence of the European and Trung Quoc markets, this impact could spread globally, as designing three different interior configurations for each region would not be cost-effective.

Ho Tan (via Carscoops)