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European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

arstechnica.com

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Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#281

Post by ClikeX »

modeless wrote: post #207

> Now, Euro NCAP is not insisting on everything being its own button or switch. But the organization wants to see physical controls for turn signals, hazard lights, windshield wipers, the horn, and any SOS features This is much more reasonable than I assumed. Unlike seemingly most people here I have no problem whatsoever with fan controls or audio controls or whatever on the touchscreen, as long as it is responsive (…

Volume control is a very commonly used feature in cars. That should definitely should be a physical button. I drive a Lynk & Co (reskinned Volvo XC40) and it has a rotary knob on the center terminal for fan speed, temperature, and volume. Which are all within reach without me having to look or lean over. There's also a volume button on the steering wheel next to my thumb, which is great.

The only annoying part is that the left button pad on the wheel is the absolute worst. It's essentially a d-pad with a center press, but it's one single button cover. Which leads to a lot of wrong clicks.

Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#282

Post by nly »

userbinator wrote: post #16

But the organization wants to see physical controls for turn signals, hazard lights, windshield wipers, the horn Are there really cars where the horn is not a physical button/ring on the steering wheel? IMHO the driving UX peaked in the 1960s, and was largely unchanged into the 2000s, until touch screens started taking over. Compare: https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads... https://images-stag.…

I've been driving for 15 years and only ever used my horn once.

Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#283

Post by bboygravity »

lelanthran wrote: post #255
Dylan16807 wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's your list of other cars that have the same charging network access and self-driving capabilities?

> What's your list of other cars that have the same charging network access and self-driving capabilities? Well, the list of other cars that will kill you if you take your hands of the wheels is ... just about anything, right? And then you're dead, so have no use for a charging network anyway, too. So, basically, for just that one feature , you can use just about any other car. The list is, essentially, everything el…

Somebody read too much CNBC and/or NYT.

Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#284

Post by cccbbbaaa »

tom_ wrote: post #90
ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Are there really cars where the horn is not a physical button/ring on the steering wheel? Yes: https://antiquecarmuseumofiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/1913-F... Well ... "are" is kinda stretching it...

My 1995 Renault Clio had it as a button on the indicator stalk. Worked very well, in my view. Much easier than pressing the centre of the steering wheel. There's often no need to even move your hand!

I had the same on a 2003 Twingo. Very handy, except for that time when I horned at a poor jogger on the side of the road instead of activating the turn signal :(

Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#285

Post by Vecr »

magicalhippo wrote: post #261
Vecr wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Multiple cross-checked hall effect sensors, hopefully. Same concept though.

That's what I had thought, but mechanic that replaced the throttle pedal assembly called it a potentiometer (had a weird pulsing in the force feedback). Of course, could be he was wrong.

I read the "unintended acceleration" report from NASA. The Toyota cars involved had two independent hall effect sensors. Hopefully there's been no backsliding since then.

Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#286

Post by marzipanWhale »

I got rid of my last car many years ago when cars still had casette players. What kind of controls do you really need in a car? I realize that a lot of cars have built in GPS now, but in my opinion all controls that require typing or looking at a screen should be disabled until the car is stopped.

Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#287

Post by oblio »

nly wrote: post #282
userbinator wrote: post #16

But the organization wants to see physical controls for turn signals, hazard lights, windshield wipers, the horn Are there really cars where the horn is not a physical button/ring on the steering wheel? IMHO the driving UX peaked in the 1960s, and was largely unchanged into the 2000s, until touch screens started taking over. Compare: https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads... https://images-stag.…

I've been driving for 15 years and only ever used my horn once.

And in that situation it probably was easy to use because most likely you REALLY needed it, which these laws are trying to make sure happens: it's easily accessible.

Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#288

Post by Kuinox »

modeless wrote: post #207

> Now, Euro NCAP is not insisting on everything being its own button or switch. But the organization wants to see physical controls for turn signals, hazard lights, windshield wipers, the horn, and any SOS features This is much more reasonable than I assumed. Unlike seemingly most people here I have no problem whatsoever with fan controls or audio controls or whatever on the touchscreen, as long as it is responsive (…

> I have no problem whatsoever with fan controls

Fan controls are important to remove fog on the windows. I should be able to enable it without looking away the road.

Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#289

Post by oblio »

jojobas wrote: post #277
gsich wrote: post #259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>steer-by-wire This is the norm for most cars with servo steering.

No. Almost all cars except some concepts and prototypes have mechanical link between the steering wheel and the steering rack. Even if the link is augmented by a hydraulic or electronic booster. If a booster fails you have a chance of overpowering it, it's not that strong. A faulty steer-by-wire will swing you into the oncoming lane with no recourse.

I think the lack of redundancy is the issue. Redundant electrical connections can be very robust otherwise they wouldn't put them in F-35s.

Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

#290

Post by oblio »

Beldin wrote: post #189
userbinator wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean you don't press the left one to stop, and the right one to go?

Around here the middle one is to stop, left is to switch gears. Except in go-karts, those only have 2 pedals.

I don't know where you live, but if you're feeling smug about being in Europe, Europe is going automatic. 30% and rising if I recall correctly plus EVs don't need manual transmissions anymore.
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