BMW has provided a clear explanation for the trend of replacing physical buttons with touchscreens, one of the most debated topics in the automotive world in recent years. BMW Group Australia CEO Vikram Pawah attributes the main reason for reducing physical buttons in new generation models to the changing technology habits of young users.

According to Pawah, drivers, especially those under 45, prefer touchscreens and voice command systems instead of classic buttons for in-vehicle controls.

The Screen Era in New Generation Cockpits: The Neue Klasse and iX3 Example

In BMW’s new generation design philosophy, cockpits are becoming increasingly simpler and digitally focused. The most concrete examples of this transformation are seen in the Neue Klasse platform, which represents the brand’s electric future, and in models such as the current iX3.

Inside the vehicles, climate control settings, driving modes, and multimedia controls, previously managed with physical panels, are now entirely transferred to a central touchscreen. Except for a few critical basic functions like opening and closing windows, the clutter of physical buttons on the console is almost completely eliminated.

BMW is not the only company implementing this digitalization leap in the automotive market. Tesla’s minimalist cockpit ideology, focused on a central screen and adopted for years, is now accepted as a standard design language by many global manufacturers in the sector.

User Profile and Changing Expectations

Vikram Pawah notes that the way the under-45 generation, who grew up with smartphones and tablets, consuming technology is directly reflected in cars. According to the evaluations, the key factors that stand out are as follows:

• Rapid Adaptation: Young drivers adapt much faster to interacting with voice assistants and touch interfaces.
• Impatience and Multitasking: Users of the digital age want processes to happen instantly and expect to manage multiple functions simultaneously with voice or touch commands.
• Customizable Experience: Screen-based software offers a much more flexible area for updating and customizing the interface compared to fixed physical buttons.

The Balance Between Touch Controls and Driving Safety

Although the younger generation finds digital interfaces more appealing, the complete removal of physical buttons remains a significant point of debate among automotive safety experts. Adjusting the climate control temperature or getting lost in submenus via touch screens can cause the driver to take their eyes off the road.

The loss of the “tactile feedback” advantage offered by physical buttons poses risks that could negatively impact driving safety, especially at high speeds.

Manufacturers like BMW aim to close this safety gap with advanced AI-powered voice command systems and augmented reality-based displays. How to strike a balance between changing user habits and driving safety will remain a key agenda item for the automotive industry in the coming years.