Operating philosophy
11/28/2020
Question to Radio Yerevan: "Why does the Tesla have an 'autopilot'?
Answer: "The operation of secondary functions via the touch panel in the center console distracts the driver so much that the car drives better autonomously".
Of course, Tesla is not the only car manufacturer to have more and more operating functions handled via a touch-sensitive LCD screen. However, the Americans are probably going a little further than Volkswagen or Mercedes, for example, where there are at least a few more buttons. According to an ams survey in Germany, this operating philosophy is not very well received by car drivers, with more than half disliking it.
In the 1980s, the Isuzu brand took a completely different approach with the Piazza coupé.
Almost all functions (except the radio controls) were arranged in two satellites to the left and right of the steering wheel. Whether you want to switch on the lights, turn on the rear window heating or turn down the air conditioning, the switches are never more than ten centimeters away from the steering wheel. They are even arranged reasonably logically and can be used even by Isuzu novices after a short familiarization period.
Now, Isuzu was not the first car manufacturer to have control satellites on the steering wheel; Citroën, for example, had already done this. However, the Japanese went one step further, as the satellites are adjustable and can be adapted to the size of the hand, so to speak, using a knurled screw under the satellites.
The control satellites on the steering wheel did not catch on, they probably did not look sporty enough and certainly had disadvantages. Looking back, however, it has to be said that they were actually quite practical.
P.S. As most Zwischengas readers have noticed, the operating philosophy of zwischengas.com also changed slightly when we rolled out a redesigned version on November 20, 2020 . We have already received a lot of feedback and for most readers the positive aspects of the modified application outweigh the negative. But there have also been criticisms. And we're just as happy about that, because unlike a car manufacturer that can't constantly change its models, web technology allows us to make modifications and optimize our application at almost any time. So if there is anything that bothers you about the "new Zwischengas", just get in touch. Because we want to implement the most efficient and effective operating philosophy possible.
