NCAP asks for its buttons back...

[dxg]

So, from next year, no NCAP 5 star rating if your new model only has touchscreens.

Shame it was taken an independent certifier, rather than a regulator, to start to flag the insanity of poking away at sheets of glass as you also try to keep you eyes on the road ahead.

https://www.evo.co.uk/car-technology/207666/button...

https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091043/euro-nc...

[Salted_Peanut]

Excellent news. Well done, NCAP

[AlexGSi2000]

Common sense prevails.

[Mammasaid]

I don't think this is quite the gotcha that some people think it is, no mention of things like Climate, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Warnings, etc.

NCAP said:

‘Euro NCAP will indeed incentivise OEMs to have physical, easy-to-use, and tactile controls of the main driving features like wipers, warning lights, and indicators,’ said Euro NCAP Technical Director Richard Schram.

[RandomCarChat]

It's a start at least, good to see.

[normalbloke]

Mammasaid said:

I don't think this is quite the gotcha that some people think it is, no mention of things like Climate, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Warnings, etc.

NCAP said:

‘Euro NCAP will indeed incentivise OEMs to have physical, easy-to-use, and tactile controls of the main driving features like wipers, warning lights, and indicators,’ said Euro NCAP Technical Director Richard Schram.

Things like lane keeping,speed warnings and brake assist will become impossible to turn off in time. I’m sure I’ve read that has been the plan.

[CanAm]

NCAP said:

‘Euro NCAP will indeed incentivise OEMs to have physical, easy-to-use, and tactile controls of the main driving features like wipers, warning lights, and indicators,’ said Euro NCAP Technical Director Richard Schram.

Mammasaid said:

I don't think this is quite the gotcha that some people think it is, no mention of things like Climate, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Warnings, etc.

RandomCarChat said:

It's a start at least, good to see.

And a from me.

[kambites]

It'll be interesting to see what the final list of functions is.

[s94wht]

Mammasaid said:

I don't think this is quite the gotcha that some people think it is, no mention of things like Climate, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Warnings, etc.

NCAP said:

‘Euro NCAP will indeed incentivise OEMs to have physical, easy-to-use, and tactile controls of the main driving features like wipers, warning lights, and indicators,’ said Euro NCAP Technical Director Richard Schram.

Two of the things you listed aren't necessary to have a button for, and as for climate, while it's nice to have buttons, I'm constantly seeing people on here saying that you're just supposed to set it when you buy the car and never have to touch it again.

[craigjm]

s94wht said:

Mammasaid said:

I don't think this is quite the gotcha that some people think it is, no mention of things like Climate, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Warnings, etc.

NCAP said:

‘Euro NCAP will indeed incentivise OEMs to have physical, easy-to-use, and tactile controls of the main driving features like wipers, warning lights, and indicators,’ said Euro NCAP Technical Director Richard Schram.

Two of the things you listed aren't necessary to have a button for, and as for climate, while it's nice to have buttons, I'm constantly seeing people on here saying that you're just supposed to set it when you buy the car and never have to touch it again.

Exactly. This is not about shunning screens and going back to a mass of buttons. This is about making crucial stuff like indicators and wipers to be proper controls. Its a good start but any rejoicing from the "touch screen haters" is very premature. It will basically apply to new Teslas where they have relegated everything to the touch screen. The impact on every other manufacturer will be virtually zero as it stands

[CanAm]

s94wht said:

Two of the things you listed aren't necessary to have a button for, and as for climate, while it's nice to have buttons, I'm constantly seeing people on here saying that you're just supposed to set it when you buy the car and never have to touch it again.

That's basically true. But it includes de-misting, and it's nice to have a single button to press (mine has) that gives you instant rapid demist with a/c on and top fan speed.

[NDA]

Whilst it is unfashionable, at the moment, to say so, I enjoy most aspects of Tesla ownership - as I do with ICE cars I own (before anyone starts accusing me of being something I'm not).

However, it is the only car I own where I have frequently drifted in lane whilst trying to adjust something on the screen - as a result I resist trying to adjust anything. I can absolutely see why an NCAP star might be removed!

[vaud]

As ever in life, what we need is a balance. Or better voice activation. Or both.

[Riley Blue]

NDA said:

I can absolutely see why an NCAP star might be removed!

Will the car buying/leasing multitude care?

[vikingaero]

NDA said:

Whilst it is unfashionable, at the moment, to say so, I enjoy most aspects of Tesla ownership - as I do with ICE cars I own (before anyone starts accusing me of being something I'm not).

However, it is the only car I own where I have frequently drifted in lane whilst trying to adjust something on the screen - as a result I resist trying to adjust anything. I can absolutely see why an NCAP star might be removed!

Maniac!

I foresee Mr Musk annexing EuroNCAP next for daring to impinge on the rights of his vehicles.

[s94wht]

CanAm said:

That's basically true. But it includes de-misting, and it's nice to have a single button to press (mine has) that gives you instant rapid demist with a/c on and top fan speed.

That button should certainly be physical, agreed.

[Tommo87]

CanAm said:

NCAP said:

‘Euro NCAP will indeed incentivise OEMs to have physical, easy-to-use, and tactile controls of the main driving features like wipers, warning lights, and indicators,’ said Euro NCAP Technical Director Richard Schram.

Mammasaid said:

I don't think this is quite the gotcha that some people think it is, no mention of things like Climate, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Warnings, etc.

RandomCarChat said:

It's a start at least, good to see.

And a from me.

Also agree.

[croyde]

I will go for hours either listening to a radio station I don't like or listening to nothing at all, as I just will not try to change channel with my wavering left index finger whilst driving at speed or in heavy traffic.

My son had a hard enough time trying to jab the icons whilst I was driving the other day.

I'd love to get rid of the screen in my car and just have a panel of buttons.

[ccaasjf]

Common sense prevails, what ever were they thinking of in the first place. Peak car circa 2017 before the plethora of the touch screen nonsense.

[AnotherClarkey]

craigjm said:

Exactly. This is not about shunning screens and going back to a mass of buttons. This is about making crucial stuff like indicators and wipers to be proper controls. Its a good start but any rejoicing from the "touch screen haters" is very premature. It will basically apply to new Teslas where they have relegated everything to the touch screen. The impact on every other manufacturer will be virtually zero as it stands

My other half has a Model 3 and both wipers and indicators have physical controls that can be operated with no reference to the touchscreen. Even the latest versions do