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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [TECHNOLOGY]
3 clusters · 18 sources · 25 days · First seen · Last updated
Car makers restore physical buttons
Overview
In early July 2026 Audi announced plans to bring back tactile buttons in its next‑generation vehicle interiors, signaling a shift away from the industry‑wide push for large touch‑screen displays. By the end of the month, Mercedes‑Benz CEO Ola Källenius echoed the sentiment, stating that the touchscreen trend had been taken too far. Mercedes will retain its expansive MBUX Hyperscreen but will re‑introduce practical physical controls, especially on the steering wheel, to improve driver usability and reduce distraction. Källenius noted that rivals such as Volkswagen are making similar moves, reflecting growing consumer concern over overly digital car interfaces.
On 31 July, Källenius reiterated that the user interface must be simple enough for a child or a board member to operate and highlighted ongoing work on better voice‑control systems. He confirmed that Mercedes will add sensible physical buttons, particularly on the steering wheel, while keeping the large‑screen concept. Two days later he announced a hybrid interior layout: the MBUX Hyperscreen and Superscreen will remain, but tactile switches will return to key functions. He cited similar reversals at Ferrari, Volkswagen and Hyundai, underscoring an industry‑wide reassessment of over‑digitization.
On 2 August, Källenius said the industry had gone “too far” by removing physical controls. Mercedes‑Benz will re‑introduce dedicated buttons for frequently used functions such as volume and climate control, while preserving the large‑screen MBUX displays. The move follows customer feedback and Euro NCAP’s encouragement to retain tactile controls that reduce driver distraction, aiming for a blend of high‑tech personalization and intuitive, glance‑free operation.
Entities
Mercedes-Benz · Ola Källenius · Volkswagen · MBUX Hyperscreen · Hyundai
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Mercedes‑Benz CEO Ola Källenius said the automotive industry may have gone too far with digital touchscreen controls.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Mercedes will reintroduce physical buttons on steering wheels and other controls.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The MBUX Hyperscreen can be up to 1,410 mm wide, making it the largest display in any production car.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Källenius said the user interface must be simple enough for a five‑year‑old child or a Mercedes board member to use.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Mercedes is working to improve its voice‑control systems.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Other automakers such as Volkswagen are also reintroducing physical controls after criticism of excessive touchscreens.
Timeline
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9 days ago
[BUSINESS] 10 sourcesMercedes-Benz to restore physical buttons in future modelsMercedes‑Benz CEO Ola Källenius admits the industry over‑digitized car interiors and will bring back key physical buttons while retaining large MBUX screens, echoing moves by VW, Ferrari and Hyundai.
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11 days ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 9 sourcesMercedes CEO Källenius says touchscreen trend went too far and will bring back physical buttonsMercedes CEO Ola Källenius admits the industry over‑relied on touchscreens, pledges to keep large displays but reintroduce physical buttons, citing usability and safety concerns.
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about 1 month ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sourcesAudi to Reintroduce Physical Buttons in Next‑Generation Vehicle InteriorsAudi plans to phase out oversized touchscreens, re‑adding physical buttons and knobs in future models to improve driver focus, with a gradual rollout beginning after the current Q7 design.
Sources
7news.com.au · allcarindex.com · autocar.co.uk · automobile-propre.com · autoplus.fr · bigportal.ba · caradisiac.com · insideevs.com · intensive911.com · ithome.com · motorbox.com · perthnow.com.au · phonandroid.com · profitiraj.ba · radiocataratas.com · smartdroid.de · tr.motor1.com · vijesti.ba
This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history