Automotive design is entering a phase of serious upheaval. After years in which large central screens and the almost complete removal of physical controls were considered a symbol of technological prestige, manufacturers are increasingly returning to classic buttons and physical switches. The reason is not nostalgia, but a combination of regulatory pressure, poor security test results and growing user dissatisfaction.
China is preparing new rules that will oblige manufacturers to reintroduce physical controls for basic functions in cars. The regulations, which are being developed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technologies, could come into force as early as next year. Their goal is to reduce driver distraction, with the requirement that key functions be “operational without looking”, that is, they can be used without taking their eyes off the road.
Safety and ergonomics before design minimalism
Unlike physical keys and buttons, functions located exclusively on the screen require visual confirmation, even if only for a moment. This is precisely why large screens, although visually striking and easy to fit into a futuristic interior, are increasingly being labeled as problematic from the point of view of safety and ergonomics.
Research conducted by Hyundai in 2024 showed that drivers often feel tense and frustrated while trying to manage basic functions through digital menus. Because of this, the company made the decision to once again rely on physical dials and switches for the most commonly used controls.
Similar conclusions were made by the German ADAC, whose usability tests indicate a multi-year decline in ergonomics in modern cars. Euro NCAP is adding to the pressure: from January 2026, usability will directly affect the safety rating, and vehicles that rely entirely on screens for functions such as turn signals or wipers will receive lower ratings.
As a consequence of all that, manufacturers like Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have already admitted that the overuse of screens was a mistake and started to bring back the classic controls. The trend can be seen even in exclusive projects, where form is again subordinated to function.
The return of physical switches is no longer an exception, but the direction in which the industry is collectively moving. After years of experimentation, cars are once again being designed around the driver, not around the screen, writes Domus.