Physical buttons in Model S

[smoothoperator]

It would be unreal if Tesla created a console that had switch cutouts and an adapter that allowed for honest to goodness switches for the pano roof etc. I do not think it would be that difficult to create a console that had switch cut outs.

Mod Note: this discussion was broken out from the Opportunity Console - New Photos, Poll thread

[AnOutsider]

It would be unreal if Tesla created a console that had switch cutouts and an adapter that allowed for honest to goodness switches for the pano roof etc. I do not think it would be that difficult to create a console that had switch cut outs.

It would be a waste of time and a premature admission of defeat IMO. Let's use the screen for a bit and see how practical it is before saying what does and doesn't need a physical counterpart. I suspect as we drive in the thousands and send feedback to the homebase, Model S 1.5 or 2.0 may make some concessions to things Tesla originally thought clever or fine, and others the skeptics will realize are perfect as-is.

[youlikeadajuice]

I agree that we should wait and see how the touchscreen works in real world conditions before we start griping about it! It has the huge advantage of being easily updatable! Aircraft have been using "glass screens" for years with no ill effects, why not try it out in cars! Plus there is no way to pack in all the capabilities of the touchscreen into a conventional style dashboard, there just wouldn't be enough room! We demand more and more features but end up cluttering the car with knobs and switches, this is an elegant solution that deserves a chance!

[smoothoperator]

I agree that we should wait and see how the touchscreen works in real world conditions before we start griping about it! It has the huge advantage of being easily updatable! Aircraft have been using "glass screens" for years with no ill effects, why not try it out in cars! Plus there is no way to pack in all the capabilities of the touchscreen into a conventional style dashboard, there just wouldn't be enough room! We demand more and more features but end up cluttering the car with knobs and switches, this is an elegant solution that deserves a chance!

It is silly to compare an aircraft control panel to the dashboard of a vehicle (this type of display is much more dangerous in a vehicle and does not serve the same purpose as it would have in an airplane). I prefer to have switches as a fail-safe for certain items in my vehicle. I do not see how redundant buttons would be admitting defeat, if anything it would broaden the customer base. Redundant console controls is something I would definitely pay extra for.

[youlikeadajuice]

It is silly to compare an aircraft control panel to the dashboard of a vehicle (this type of display is much more dangerous in a vehicle and does not serve the same purpose as it would have in an airplane). I prefer to have switches as a fail-safe for certain items in my vehicle. I do not see how redundant buttons would be admitting defeat, if anything it would broaden the customer base. Redundant console controls is something I would definitely pay extra for.

How is it silly? Do you have facts to back that up? No. It's never been done so we won't know until it's tried. They serve a lot of the same purposes (control of systems, navigation, comfort controls, communications...) And to assume that physical buttons would broaden the customer base is pure opinion...my opinion is that the lack of clutter and the expanded use of the touchscreen is broadening the customer base. To offer both would broaden the customer base, but with the company still in it's infancy they can't afford offer both, so they've decided to stick with the company's mantra of heading towards new things instead of settling for the old.

[smoothoperator]

How is it silly? Do you have facts to back that up? No. It's never been done so we won't know until it's tried. They serve a lot of the same purposes (control of systems, navigation, comfort controls, communications...)

You can fly a plane without any visibility using just instrumentation this is impossible in a Model S using just the display. Is this a fact or opinion? It is silly to compare the two. Feel free to prove me wrong by completely covering your windshield and driving your Model S with just the 17 inch display.

But aren't the common functions accessible from the steering wheel? I don't touch the Prius' screen even once a month because all the things I normally do are on the steering wheel buttons. In fact, I don't think I've touched the display in years other than to set navigation.

We do not know exactly what the final Model S will allow you to control, via the cluster. In my Mercedes there are so many nested menus that it sometimes is annoying to have to go through all of them to change a simple setting. Furthermore, we also do not know exactly where Tesla is with regards to Voice Command. The steering wheel controls are nice. but for frequent use items it is always nice having a dedicated button (i.e. pano roof, folding mirrors, trunk open/close etc)

[dtich]

It is silly to compare an aircraft control panel to the dashboard of a vehicle (this type of display is much more dangerous in a vehicle and does not serve the same purpose as it would have in an airplane). I prefer to have switches as a fail-safe for certain items in my vehicle. I do not see how redundant buttons would be admitting defeat, if anything it would broaden the customer base. Redundant console controls is something I would definitely pay extra for.

i wouldn't call it silly exactly, but perhaps inaccurate. the fact is that traditionally almost nothing in a plane is a touchscreen. yes, they have glass cockpits, but until very recently they are for displays only. virtually every control in a plane is still physical, albeit digital, with physical actuators, not touchscreen. that is changing right now, but most avionics manus are opting, wisely i would bet, to retain physical knobs in addition to touchscreen capability. we will see what the aviation community thinks about touchscreen only, my guess is that it is not completely advisable in such life or death situations as can arise in a cockpit. i may disagree with your assessment about the relative import of the touchscreen interface in a car versus a plane. in a car you can always step on the brake and stop the vehicle, pull to the side, what have you, to determine your position, reset your plans, catch your breath, etc. in a plane you have no such option. flight planning and executing is a continuous and un-pausable process. maintaining situational awareness and control is essential at every moment.

that said, i personally feel that touchscreen input will be the way all car manus will go for functions such as nav, comm, environment, etc. tesla is leading the way there. the challenge is to keep the interface clean and functional and non-distracting. i fear the first several accidents that result from tesla drivers paying too much attention to their engrossing displays instead of the road. this will happen. and there will probably be a firmware update to lessen the interactivity. i hope it doesn't happen. i want all the access we now have to the controls and features while driving, and prefer to leave it up to the drivers to maintain safe margins and situational awareness. unfortunately, if history is any guide, there will be those of us who don't, and the system will have to be curtailed to ensure safety.

is the situation now that certain functions in the model s, like web browsing, don't function without a passenger seat occupant? seems smart, but i'm already daydreaming about installing a seat switch override...

well.. eyes on the road people. let's stay safe.

[jerry33]

It is silly to compare an aircraft control panel to the dashboard of a vehicle (this type of display is much more dangerous in a vehicle and does not serve the same purpose as it would have in an airplane). I prefer to have switches as a fail-safe for certain items in my vehicle. I do not see how redundant buttons would be admitting defeat, if anything it would broaden the customer base. Redundant console controls is something I would definitely pay extra for.

But aren't the common functions accessible from the steering wheel? I don't touch the Prius' screen even once a month because all the things I normally do are on the steering wheel buttons. In fact, I don't think I've touched the display in years other than to set navigation.

[brianman]

I do not see how redundant buttons would be admitting defeat, if anything it would broaden the customer base. Redundant console controls is something I would definitely pay extra for.

Or it might turn off the customer base that buys into avoiding the cluttered look of buttons. Also, whichever style you like (screen or buttons) some prospective buyers are turned off by redundancy alone.

In the same breath as "what you're saying is silly", you're making assertions that aren't fact.

Recommendation: Pull it back a little. Your opinion is your opinion, but there is room for other opinions. Trivializing the input of others with words like "silly" is counterproductive to all parties.

In defense of the pro-button people, suppose that one version of the center console contained two rocker switches, whose function could be programmed from the console.

I like this concept.

[dsm363]

I wouldn't mind Robert's idea and I think they've already thought of some of this (steering wheel controls) but I agree with waiting and driving the car long term first before we pan the touchscreen idea.