Volkswagen will restore physical buttons to the dashboard in its latest compact car, part of a wider move away from touchscreens.

In a particularly retro touch, the new ID Polo will even have a volume dial.

For a decade or so, automakers rushed to replace knobs and switches with screens, Autoblog noted in October, but users largely disliked them: Controlling the air conditioning, for example, required delving through submenus while driving, which was both difficult and dangerous. Research found that using touchscreens took longer and distracted drivers.

Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and VW have all announced plans to return to more tactile controls, and US and EU regulators announced last year that cars with touchscreen controls could get worse safety ratings.

  • SaltySalamander@fedia.io
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    4 days ago

    That was a federal regulation that Trump undid. Won’t get rid of it on your car, but it will for future cars.

    • ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works
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      4 days ago

      Really? I wonder what model year will have cars available without it. I was thinking of buying a new car but I can wait.