Volkswagen is taking a step back from its touchscreen-heavy approach, announcing plans to bring back physical buttons in its future vehicles. According to the company's design head, Andreas Mindt, the decision was made in response to customer feedback, which emphasized the importance of tactile controls for vital functions such as climate control, volume, and hazard light activation.

The move marks a significant shift in the automaker's design philosophy, which had previously favored digital interfaces and haptic sliders. Mindt acknowledged that the company had made a mistake by removing physical controls, stating that "honestly, it's a car. It's not a phone: it's a car." The reintroduction of physical buttons is set to begin with the ID. 2all, scheduled for release next year.

Volkswagen is not the only automaker to have had a change of heart regarding physical controls. Hyundai and Kia have also acknowledged the importance of tactile interfaces, citing customer feedback and safety concerns. In fact, the EU's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) is set to introduce new rules next year that require cars to have certain physical controls to achieve a full five-star safety rating.

The trend towards digital interfaces was initially driven by Tesla's innovative approach with the Model S, which featured a large central touchscreen. However, the company has since reintroduced physical controls, such as transmission and turn signal stalks, in its newer models. The debate surrounding the role of physical controls in modern vehicles highlights the ongoing struggle to balance user experience, safety, and technological innovation.

Not all industry experts agree with Volkswagen's decision, however. Rivian software chief Wassy Bensaid has argued that in-car buttons are "an anomaly" and that voice-controlled digital interfaces will soon become the norm. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether physical controls will make a lasting comeback or if digital interfaces will ultimately prevail.

One thing is certain, however: Volkswagen's decision to bring back physical buttons marks a significant shift in the company's design philosophy and a recognition of the importance of user experience and safety in modern vehicle design. As the industry continues to navigate the complexities of technological innovation and user needs, this move is likely to have far-reaching implications for the future of automotive design.