1418
submitted 9 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

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
[-] arc@lemm.ee 23 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I think they need to be super explicit to stop the likes of Tesla weaseling out or doing the bare minimum:

  • Wipers, speed settings, auto on/off should be on a stalk for front and rear wipers
  • Indicators should be on a stalk with
  • Hazard lights must be a physical button
  • Horn may be on the wheel or a button
  • Lights on/off/full beam/dip/auto must be a dial or a stalk
  • Demister / heated window must be physical buttons
  • Gears must be a physical rocker, lever or dial

And button / dial etc here means an actual push up/down button not some haptic / touch sensitive shit.

Because at the moment Tesla are basically cheaping out of providing physical controls to save money. It doesn't matter if someone crashes their car fiddling to set the wiper speed because Tesla saved $20 on a stalk and that's all that matters.

[-] spizzat2@lemm.ee 9 points 8 months ago

And, for the love of dog, please require that the volume knob not rely on software! I hate trying to turn down/off the radio and then wait while the car decides whether I'm serious.

When I first start my car, the screen has to go through the boot up sequence and safety warning before the volume knob starts responding. The music starts playing right away, though, at whatever volume the previous driver deemed appropriate.

[-] dream_weasel@iusearchlinux.fyi 1 points 8 months ago

Eh. I don't think you need to specify "stalk". I would be fine with physical buttons anywhere within easy reach. If they want to make a racing wheel that has 30 switches on it, I think I'm fine with that.

I appreciate that SOME things don't have buttons now: getting into a BMW with that has the same number of buttons and switches as the cockpit of an airliner is ridiculous.

[-] yokonzo@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Bit pedantic but a stalk + assembly could cost closer to $200, I'm not sure about design and manufacturing though

[-] SkyezOpen@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago

On a 30k+ car. Fuck your 200.

[-] yokonzo@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Chill tf out no one said I agree with it

[-] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 1 points 8 months ago

That may be the price if you buy a spare part. OEM for manufscturing it'll be much lower.

I recently had to buy a hose for my car. At the dealer it was 170€. At an online diwcout parts store it was 14€. Name brand, Gates.

this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2024
1418 points (99.8% liked)

World News

39395 readers
2174 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 2 years ago
MODERATORS