While touchscreens are widely used in modern cars, the technology is considered to be “the wrong technology to be the primary interface”, according to former Apple designer Jony Ive, reported Autocar.
Unveiled earlier this week, the interior of the Ferrari Luce battery-electric model was designed by Ive and Marc Newson, the duo who founded LoveFrom in 2019, the firm that has been in collaboration with Ferrari Centro Stile for the design of the Luce over the last five years.
Aspects of the interior of the Ferrari Luce were notable for having a variety of physical controls, rather than having most controls integrated into touchscreen menus, as is common with most other carmakers in the present day.
“The reason we developed touch [for the iPhone] was that we were developing an idea to solve a problem. The big idea was to develop a general-purpose interface that could be a calculator, could be a typewriter, could be a camera, rather than having physical buttons,” Ive said.
“I never would have used touch in a car [for the main controls]. It is something I would never have dreamed of doing because it requires you to look [away from the road]. So that’s just the wrong technology to be the primary interface,” Ive continued.
So much of what we did was so that you could use it intuitively, enjoy it and use it safely. We use some touch in the central screen, but it’s very thoughtful, and the vast majority of the interfaces are physical. Every single switch feels different, so you don’t need to look,” Ive said regarding how the interface in the Luce differs from those of other carmakers.
Touch-activated surfaces were considered “almost like fashion,” and so carmakers decided to incorporate them into their designs, Ive said. The trend evolved with the companies’ desire to have ever-bigger touchscreens as newer car models emerged, and that the way car interiors are being designed aren’t in the same problem-solving way as with the iPhone, he said.
GALLERY: Ferrari Luce interior
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watch out china cars soon to copy LOL.
The Chinese are laughing at the laggy touchscreen and buttons used by Ferrari. Anyways, the return of interior with analog controls would be a good direction for every carmaker.
The most beautiful + useful driver interface I’ve ever witness. Seems aviation inspired, looking retro analogue with modern digital tweaks, without ignoring usability & accessibility. I’d prefer this any day, over whatever Bugatti or luxury brands has offered.
Agree 100%. Touchscreen should be banned for distracting the driver.
Well said. Bravo!
Touch-only controls started with that charlattan Elon Musk and his dumb anti-safety anti-repairs Tesla junk boxes. The faster all automakers move away from stupid trends set by Tesla, the better it is for ergonomics and safety.
Every time shoot Tesla. Turn out Tesla best selling
What happen to anti tesla fans….says tesla is not selling well, lousy car, cheap quality. Well, figures speak it all.
Yes. Agreed. Physical main button/switch is more easier to use while driving. No need to fiddle with touch screen
pls bring back physical button on iphone :)