Have you ever felt like the technology in your new car is so distracting that it’s actually unsafe?
The advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) division of German automotive giant BMW agrees, and is actively pushing ‘intense’ internal discussions to more evenly balance technological innovation with welfare.
Infotainment touchscreens are a key building block of modern vehicles. All current BMW models feature a centre touchscreen, and the brand proudly promotes its iDrive communication and entertainment system as a key selling point.
Increasingly, manufacturers are using infotainment systems to centralise key vehicle functions including climate and media controls at the cost of traditional physical buttons and switchgear. For example, Tesla models are completely free of a central button panel, and the upcoming BMW iX3 ‘Neue Klasse’ does away with physical climate controls.
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However, Dr Falk Schubert, BMW head of customer functions, ADAS, has admitted that this approach could lead to more driver distraction and worse safety outcomes, even despite upgrades to driver assist systems.
“Yes, I do see a conflict,” Dr Schubert told Australian media when asked about ADAS upgrades for the new iX3, which also features a new cabin layout with fewer interior buttons than its predecessor and an upsized 17.9-inch infotainment screen.
“We want to make the user interface innovative and configurable, that’s the point.
“But we have an eye on this. We see that the longer you take to press a button, the more your eyes are off the road, and the more dangerous things become.
“You have to balance it out and learn over over time.”
Manufacturers and regulators are already responding to complaints surrounding the frustration and distraction generated by complex infotainment technology.
In response to negative feedback, Volkswagen has confirmed plans to bring dash switches back in future models, while a survey of Hyundai owners in North America in 2024, too, showed a disdain for the removal of physical buttons.
Australian vehicle safety authority ANCAP has also addressed this with its new safety testing protocols.
“From 2026, we’re asking car makers to either offer physical buttons for important driver controls like the horn, indicators, hazard lights, windscreen wipers and headlights, or dedicate a fixed portion of the cabin display screen to these primary driving functions,” its recent report said.
BMW hasn’t yet gone down the path of removing indicator or windscreen wiper stalks, but Dr Schubert says certain teams within the company will continue to push for the reduction of buttons and further centralisation of key functions.
Still, leaders on the safety side of the business will press their own arguments.
“The more buttons you reduce, and the more you put them into a screen, the easier you can reprogram these things,” Dr Schubert conceded.
“There needs to be consensus at some point. But yeah, it’s a hot discussion right now, so let’s see how things evolve over time.”
MORE: New ANCAP safety assessment will target annoying tech, EVs and triple-zero calls
