Category innovation and functional innovation are seen as one of the effective ways for automakers to break through internal competition, but the rapid development of technology sometimes comes at the cost of reduced safety.
For example, Tesla set off a craze for touchscreens in car entertainment systems. This groundbreaking moment ushered in the era of "cars as computers on wheels." In Musk's mind, since the car is essentially a computer, why can't its software be updated like a smartphone or laptop? At the same time, Musk did not stop there. He gradually eliminated the traditional control levers, knobs, buttons and switch arrays that drivers are accustomed to, and embedded them in the central touchscreen. Functions such as wipers, air conditioning, seat heating and even radio frequency tuning are integrated into the menu on the screen.
However, this idea has come into conflict with the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), Europe's leading automotive safety organization, which recently announced an update to its vehicle safety rating system, with new standards set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The new rules are designed to push manufacturers to retain physical controls for five basic functions: horns, wipers, turn signals, emergency flashing lights, and SOS emergency call functions.
Models that fail to comply with the new rules will not be able to receive the highest five-star safety rating, which poses a challenge to Tesla models that have eliminated the turn signal lever and those that are learning from it.
Safety hazards caused by touch screen
Euro NCAP's new rules are not random changes, but because the fatal accident rate in Europe has continued to rise in recent years. As the in-car entertainment information system becomes more and more complex, drivers need to look away frequently to operate it, and the risk of collision caused by distracted driving increases. Studies have shown that operating a touch screen can cause the driver to look away from the road for 5 to 40 seconds.
Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development at Euro NCAP, pointed out: “Touchscreens have inherent operation delays and no tactile feedback to confirm command reception, which forces drivers to pay more attention. In addition, the brightness of the touchscreen at night affects the driver's vision, posing additional safety risks to drivers and pedestrians.”
Implicit Constraints of Industry Rating System
Although Euro NCAP safety rules are not mandatory, complying with the rules and obtaining a five-star rating can bring multiple hidden benefits to manufacturers. The organization is trusted by consumers in Europe and around the world, and a five-star safety rating is an important cornerstone for building a reputation for safety. Once the rating is obtained, any downgrade may indicate to consumers that there are defects in the safety quality of the manufacturer's entire range of models.
The rating agency stressed that although touch interfaces are more cost-effective, consumer complaints and growing concerns from safety organizations must be considered when designing new cars or updating old models. Distracted driving is becoming a more serious problem in the automotive industry. In addition, the agency said that consumers expect to shift from beautiful and smooth futuristic cockpit designs to easy-to-use and low-intrusion physical control interfaces.
The dilemma for car companies
Initially, automakers viewed touch screens as a solution to revolutionize dashboards, simplify interfaces, and reduce manufacturing costs. Physical buttons and knobs require complex wiring and additional materials, while software-based interfaces can be updated remotely over the air. Industry giants such as Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen have fully turned to touch screens, replacing traditional controls with digital solutions. Chinese automakers are even more popular with touch screens, and new car manufacturers once used this design as a selling point.
For example, some of Tesla's new models have eliminated the steering lever and replaced it with the up and down keys on the left side of the steering wheel, which is very anti-human; many electric models need to enter the secondary submenu on the screen to adjust the air conditioner; more models hide high-frequency functions such as adjusting the rearview mirror angle and even windshield defogger on the screen. Although these designs can optimize the manufacturing process and enhance visual beauty, they sacrifice the convenience of control. Most drivers believe that performing basic functions on the screen while driving is not only annoying, but also poses a safety hazard.
Resistance from users and security agencies
As touchscreens become more common, complaints from consumers, safety advocates and industry experts have surged. After test-driving the latest Tesla Model 3, Edmund King, chairman of the British Automobile Association, described the experience as "daunting," particularly criticizing the lack of any instrument panel behind the steering wheel. He stressed: "Car controls need to meet the intuitive operation needs of all drivers, allowing them to focus on the road ahead rather than the side screen."
Research confirms these concerns. The European Road Safety Observatory reports that drivers are distracted about half of their time behind the wheel, with in-car entertainment systems being one of the main causes. Unlike traditional physical controls that can be operated by touch, touchscreens force drivers to look away.
The boycott has also spread to the maintenance field. When some touch systems fail, the replacement cost is high, which increases the burden on car owners.
Industry transformation in progress
Although the new Euro NCAP regulations are not legally binding, their influence is significant. The five-star safety rating is the core endorsement of the vehicle's safety, and manufacturers must strive to meet the standards to win the trust of consumers and regulators. Those who fail to meet the standards may lose their competitive advantage in the safety-sensitive market.
At present, some manufacturers have started the transformation. For example, Mazda insists on retaining physical buttons and knobs for key functions. Toyota is also cautious about full touch-screen interiors and instead adopts a hybrid digital and physical interface.
As the new regulations are about to be implemented, more automakers may follow suit. Some manufacturers are exploring advanced voice control systems that allow drivers to control vehicle functions without taking their hands off the phone or looking away. However, voice control has defects such as weak noise immunity, poor accent adaptability, and difficulty in recognizing complex commands. Some users believe that it is not reliable enough to completely replace physical buttons.
The backlash against touchscreens marks a critical turning point in car design. While digital interfaces won’t disappear entirely, manufacturers will need to find a better balance between aesthetics, cost-effectiveness and driver safety. The upcoming Euro NCAP rules could accelerate this shift, pushing carmakers back to physical controls for key functions. For drivers accustomed to physical controls, the return of physical buttons and knobs will be a welcome change. After all, a car may be a computer on wheels, but it can do much more than that.