Touching the future

Sensors and screens are replacing push buttons as touch controls get more sophisticated and user-friendly.

Simple knobs and push buttons have been a key element in interior design for decades, but there is nothing simple about them anymore. They are now part of a human-machine interface (HMI) that includes everything from aesthetic appearance to vehicle safety.

The transition from push button to a techy term like HMI highlights the ongoing changes in electronic controls. Design teams must now respond to consumer demands to link their portable equipment to a vehicle that is already laden with options like navigation.