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Comment by sveme | Hacker News Reader

Considering that smartphone use is now the number one cause of accidents in Germany [1], I'm pretty sceptical that a rich interactive touch interface without haptical feedback is the right thing to use to control a car. At least, until autonomous driving is fully developed.

[1] http://www.sueddeutsche.de/auto/strassenverkehr-tod-durch-ti... (in Geman)

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Its worth reading this review of the Tesla Model 3 http://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/17280/tesla-model-3-the-fir... which highlights issues with the cruise control in the Model 3 compared to the Model S as it was changed from a stalk to being part of the screen.

Sometimes things need to be actual switches as you don't have time to use anything else...

I'd solve that by not having that large main display enabled at all when the car is moving, or at least not having hard to reach areas or gestures enabled other than from the passenger seat.

Voice control is often even worse. If something makes me have an accident it's probably when I say "call charlie" and the thing says "Calling crazy ex girlfriend" (without confirmation). That happens.

Why not remove crazy ex girlfriend from your contacts?

in case she calls you?

Agreed, and that's why I like my car's jog dial controller for the media system. I can operate it without looking at all, whereas I have to look at my mom's touchscreen to change the radio station, which is something you don't want to have to do while driving.

how is this any different from the giant ipad in tesla models?

The giant iPad in Teslas is stupid as well, but at least it isn't directly in front of the driver's face - begging to become a distraction.

On another note, I find it's useful to mentally replace the term "smart" with "surveillance" to figure out the true purpose of these things.

I do believe that one is critical as well, and I'd really like to see some UX videos of drivers using that thing. Ideally with eye tracking.

Do you ever change the radio while driving? It's about the same level of involvement. I haven't found it to be a huge issue in the ~2 years I've been using it.

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