i hate the touch screens. i find it difficult to navigate them while driving. i much prefer the buttons toyota added to the pip (and i assume all genIII's) for climate control. just changing the radio station the other day almost sent me off the road!
Well looks like the touch sensitive technology is here. The Avalon, Mirai and Lexus IS use capacitive-touch temperature or fan speed sliders that allow you to adjust the temperature/fan speed by simply sliding your finger on the appropriate area of the climate control.
The problem with all these touch systems is that you have to look at them to see what they're doing, which is a distraction from keeping your eyes on the road. Grabbing a knob and turning it is much less distracting.
Not really. It's just you're not using to sliding as opposed to turning a knob. With a knob, you still have to look at what temperature you're setting it to, no different from sliding.
But with a knob you can just reach out and grab it. How do you locate your finger at the exact right point on a panel full of virtual sliders without looking?
Good point. A knob is something that protrudes so you run your fingers until you find it. The sliders are metallic (IS/Mirai) or in a trough (Avalon). You can also press the +/- region as well but I think that's harder than sliding.
Some cars allow you to map controls to steering wheel buttons or wheels. This, combined with touch screen, in my experience is the best method. There is also some premium real estate on touch screens. For example, by touch, it is very easy to find the touch screen buttons in the corners.
i find the steering wheel buttons difficult to use with heavy gloves on. although, the hycam is better than the prius.
I think the designers need to test this type of control on the same simulators they use for checking how badly distracted people get when trying to text while driving. Students Get Reality Check in Texting While Driving Simulator I bet they'd find that operating touch controls of that level of complexity would be just as bad.
