this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2024
1386 points (99.8% liked)

World News

39096 readers
2713 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] JDPoZ@lemmy.world 47 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (5 children)

Car seat adjustment, above seat vehicle interior lights, steering wheel adjustment, door handles, door locks, main rear view mirror, climate controls for vents and seats, car starting, and trunk and seat releases should all have controls that can be operated either directly or with physical buttons.

If there is ALSO a screen driven element, that’s fine, but this stuff needs to work without a screen.

This stuff is not being done for the sake of UX. It is for saving money at the expense of consumer safety.

[–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 40 points 7 months ago

This stuff is not being done for the sake of UX. It is for saving money at the expense of consumer safety.

This. Everyone, keep your eye on the ball.

[–] Lemzlez@lemmy.world 7 points 7 months ago

I can see the case for some of them after you’ve been in a crash (although if the pyro fuse has blown, not much requiring switches will work anymore, regardless of the type of controls), but if you want physical controls for the rear view mirror for safety, you should probably start adjusting that before you start driving.

Same for cabin lights, whatever you’re doing that needs the lights on should probably be done stationary, if you care about safety.

[–] helenslunch@feddit.nl 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

It is for saving money at the expense of consumer safety.

People keep saying this but I don't buy it. Like, how much does some fucking buttons cost? Hell the cheap cars still have buttons and mechanical controls with cables and shit.

And at the cost of consumer dissatisfaction. I think this is just more "change for the sake of change" so that someone can justify their job at the company that we've all come to know from the tech world.

[–] T156@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Enough. One screen may cost $5, but if it replaces 10 - 20 15¢ buttons, that's still worthwhile.

Especially since there would be labour cost savings installing buttons, and not having to spend time installing spacers replacing those buttons for different trims, when they can just do it all in one screen, and fold it into the infotainment system install cost.

[–] helenslunch@feddit.nl 1 points 7 months ago

if it replaces 10 - 20 15¢ buttons

No? It's not.

Hell, why not just remove the passenger seats, that would probably save a couple hundred dollars on every car!

[–] urandom@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

If you are operating any of these while driving, you are doing something wrong

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee -4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

You shouldn't be adjusting your seats, steering wheel, and mirrors while driving. Interior lights neither, they should be off if you need them you're not looking at the road. Climate control is also non-critical all that might be annoying but you don't need to do it while driving. "car starting" isn't really a thing with many cars any more, even gasoline ones, they switch the motor off automatically when you're standing for a while and start once you select a gear, hit the throttle, whatever.

Door handles though I absolutely agree, it's a safety thing: You can make them fancy schmancy electric all you want but they also have to open the lock mechanically, e.g. by pulling the lever with some force none of that Tesla "open the maintenance hatch and find a steel cable to pull on".

[–] SapientLasagna@lemmy.ca 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Climate control actually is critical, since fogging/frosting of the windshield is a thing.

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 1 points 7 months ago

Ok most climate controls are non-critical. If you live in climates where fogging and frosting while already driving might be an issue (which are conceivable but rather extreme conditions) you should probably get into the habit of setting the controls to a sensible value as soon as you get in.

It's also a design thing, it really doesn't take much for a car to be smart enough to throw warm air at the inside of the wind shield (no AC required) if the temperature is low.