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0 pointsgenocidicbunny3y ago0 comments

(Gonna be the lightning rod of hate here for a moment)

> And still the rest of the car industry doesn't "get" good UX. Le sigh.

Imho, a giant 17" touchscreen that replaces most physical controls in a car is also not good UX for a car. Why do you need high-res satellite imagery of your route on a screen in the center of the car? Just look out the window!

I'll grant that most other manufacturers also do a poor job of a lot of the UX elements, but Tesla ain't the great saviour either.

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mosburger3y ago

no hate here - the "replace everything with an iPad" movement of car dash design has been generally, IMO, a horrible change. When driving, you need tactile feedback when adjusting things like the cabin temperature so that you can keep your eyes on the road. Replacing knobs with GUI sliders on a screen that you have to see to manipulate is a step backwards. I would love it if auto manufacturers came to their senses and went back to old-fashioned knobs and buttons, but I suspect that just sticking everything on a screen is cheaper to manufacture and maintain, so I won't hold my breath. :(

genocidicbunnyOP3y ago

I think part of the problem is also the expansion of functionality in infotainment systems, especially if you're using android auto or similar. You end up needing to have a touch screen for some things like text entry (or having a much clunkier input method) and once the touch screen is there, the temptation to cut costs by replacing physical buttons and switches with some software is just too great.

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DaiPlusPlus3y ago

I agree entirely. Heterogenous (I.e. distinctly shaped) physical controls are essential for safe driving without taking one’s eyes off the road.

…but that doesn’t mean my last car’s abysmal “Ford MyTouch” or “Ford Sync” or whatever they rebrand it’s as was ever fit-for-purpose. How can a UI that can’t render faster than ~5fps be considered acceptable by the world’s leading carmaker? Where is the pride in their work?

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DaiPlusPlus3y ago

> Why do you need high-res satellite imagery of your route on a screen in the center of the car? Just look out the window!

Because it’s incredibly useful.

It means you can navigate dirt tracks. See over treeelines. Judge the quality of parking lots. Find out what side of the building the driveway or entrance is on. Etc.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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mosburger3y ago

genocidicbunnyOP3y ago

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DaiPlusPlus3y ago

I agree entirely. Heterogenous (I.e. distinctly shaped) physical controls are essential for safe driving without taking one’s eyes off the road.

1 more reply

DaiPlusPlus3y ago

> Why do you need high-res satellite imagery of your route on a screen in the center of the car? Just look out the window!

Because it’s incredibly useful.

It means you can navigate dirt tracks. See over treeelines. Judge the quality of parking lots. Find out what side of the building the driveway or entrance is on. Etc.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse