The Dark Side of Automotive Innovation
Why are car companies determined to ruin the simple pleasure of driving? It seems like every new model comes loaded with unnecessary features like gesture controls and touchscreens everywhere. According to a survey by Strategic Vision, satisfaction with car controls has plummeted by 23 percentage points in the last nine years.
BMW recently ditched gesture control after a decade, realizing that forcing adults to wave their hands like mimes wasn’t as innovative as they thought. The Volkswagen ID.4 had electronic sensors in the door handles, which not only caused a massive recall due to water damage but also led to doors opening on their own while the car was in motion.
The Rise of Unnecessary Features
Cars now come with ambient lighting, touchscreens in passenger seats, and cameras to monitor your children – all while you’re driving. It’s as if car manufacturers are creating problems that don’t exist. Elon Musk’s approach to innovation seems to be more about novelty than practicality.
“I contend that things do not have to be worse. In fact, allow me to be so bold as to suggest they could be better.”
The automotive industry’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making driving a frustrating experience. We need to take a step back and ask: are these new features really improving our lives?
The Human Cost of Innovation
As technology advances, we’re seeing a decline in user-friendly design. Cars are becoming more complicated, with features that are more gimmick than game-changer. The industry needs to refocus on what truly matters: the driving experience.
Dave Schilling, a Los Angeles-based writer and humorist, argues that the automotive industry has lost sight of its customers’ needs. It’s time for car manufacturers to prioritize simplicity and usability over flashy new features.
