Why Car Interiors Need a Digital Detox
We live our lives bathed in blue light. From the smartphone on the nightstand to the laptop at work and the TV at home, we are perpetually connected. For decades, the car was a sanctuary, a place of mechanical focus and escape.
Today, the "iPad-ification" of vehicle interiors has turned the cockpit into just another source of digital noise. But beyond the annoyance, there is a critical issue at play: safety.
The True Cost of Screens
Touchscreens are cost-effective for manufacturers to install; one piece of glass efficiently replaces fifty buttons. But they are "expensive" for drivers in terms of cognitive load.
Changing the temperature or volume on a touchscreen requires visual attention. You have to look to touch. In contrast, physical controls utilise muscle memory and proprioception. You know exactly where the volume knob is without taking your eyes off the road.
And taking your eyes off the road, even for a second, can change everything.
According to a 2022 Swedish study, completing simple tasks on a touchscreen takes significantly longer than with physical buttons. The difference is staggering: at highway speeds, a driver on a touchscreen travels "blind" for over 1,000 meters, compared to just 300 meters in a car with physical controls.
Merging Tech with Tranquillity
The pushback from consumers and regulators is clear: we want buttons back.
Regulators are stepping in to enforce this shift. Euro NCAP has announced that starting in 2026, they will reward cars with physical buttons for critical functions (such as indicators and windscreen wipers), penalising models that rely solely on touchscreens to maintain top safety ratings.
However, bringing buttons "back" implies regression. The future isn't about removing technology; it's about integrating it intuitively to bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds.
The TG0 Solution
TG0’s technology allows for pressure-sensitive, 3D-moulded controls that provide the "blind" usability of a button without mechanical complexity or styling constraints.
By embedding controls directly into the interior architecture, we create a calm, "shy-tech" environment. This approach unlocks new design possibilities, offering a driving experience that is safer, more beautiful, and offers so much more than just a screen.
