3 ms·
Too many buttons is a problem, but how about a few physical buttons whose labels are screens (high-res LCD, e-ink, whatever) and change according to the mode.
by wolverine876 4y ago
Too many buttons is a problem, but how about a few physical buttons whose labels are screens (high-res LCD, e-ink, whatever) and change according to the mode.
- manchmalscott 4y agoThe issue is needing to look away from the road. If I don’t know what the button will do right now because it arbitrarily changes, that’s just as much of a problem.
- wolverine876 4y agoGood point. I suppose each mode could be color-coded, so the driver might identify the mode and function in their peripheral vision, or at least notice that the mode changed.
- SoftTalker 4y agoThat’s still suboptimal but better, IF the labels never change. I’ll quickly learn that rear defrost is button 2 on screen 1 or whatever, but if some software update changes that I’ll be pissed. I have an older Mercedes (2004) that is like this. There’s a screen, but it’s not touch. There is are columns of physical, pushable buttons at the left and right sides, and the labels appear on the screen next to the buttons.
- FridayoLeary 4y agofighter planes actually do that. In relation to another comment, the pilots memorise sequences of button presses, which slightly negates my own comment. I remember reading a book where a harrier pilot describes a systems pod which upgraded the plane. Unfortunately, the RAF couldn't afford the software upgrade to make the button labels match the actual function of the buttons so the pilots had to memorise every sequence.