With the rapid development of new energy vehicle technology, cockpit design is continuously evolving to enhance the driving experience, safety, and convenience. Among these developments, metal button switches, as a traditional form of physical control, continue to play a crucial role in the cockpits of new energy vehicles. Although touchscreens, knobs, and other control methods are increasingly being adopted, metal button switches remain irreplaceable in the design of new energy vehicle cockpits due to their intuitiveness, reliability, and premium feel.

This article will explore the application of metal button switches in the cockpits of new energy vehicles, examining their synergistic interaction with touchscreens and knobs, the relationship between tactile feedback and driving safety, and analyzing the importance of metal button switches in modern new energy vehicle design through practical case studies.

1. Synergistic Interaction between Metal Button Switches, Touchscreens, and Knobs

In the cockpits of modern new energy vehicles, touchscreens, knobs, and physical buttons together form a multimodal Human-Machine Interface (HMI) system.

1.1 Advantages and Limitations of Touchscreens

Touchscreens offer a flexible interaction method with dynamically adjustable user interfaces (UI), enabling a richer set of functions while reducing the number of physical buttons, enhancing cockpit simplicity. However, there are several limitations when it comes to driving:

Risk of accidental touches: While driving, touchscreens lack physical feedback, which causes drivers to divert their attention and increases the risk of making errors.

Difficulty in operation with wet hands or gloves: In humid environments or when wearing gloves in winter, capacitive touchscreens may be difficult to operate.

Response delay: Some touchscreens may have slow response times or system lag, which negatively affects the driving experience.

1.2 Characteristics of Knobs

Knobs are typically used for volume control, switching driving modes, etc. Compared to touchscreens, knobs offer tactile feedback, making operations more intuitive. However, knobs generally require other input methods to be used in conjunction with them, making them less effective for complex operations on their own.

1.3 Role of Metal Button Switches

Metal button switches bridge the gaps left by touchscreens and knobs, providing efficient, intuitive, and reliable interaction.

Key function control: Functions such as start/stop buttons, emergency shutdown, and driving mode selection require intuitive and immediate feedback, for which metal buttons are the best choice.

Improving safety: While driving, the tactile feel of metal buttons allows the driver to recognize their shape and position, minimizing visual distraction.

Enhancing the driving experience: The mechanical feedback provided by metal buttons allows the driver to immediately confirm that the input has been successfully executed, improving operational reliability.

2. Tactile Feedback and Driving Safety

2.1 Tactile Feedback Mechanism of Buttons

Tactile feedback is one of the key advantages of metal button switches, which can be enhanced through different designs to improve the driving experience, including:

Button travel: Short travel (0.3~1.0mm) buttons provide clear tactile feedback, while long-travel buttons are suitable for scenarios requiring greater force.

Operating force: Typically in the range of 3N to 7N, appropriate pressure prevents accidental touches while offering a comfortable feel.

Feedback type: Mechanical, microswitch-based, or haptic vibration feedback can be selected based on the application scenario for optimal design.

2.2 Impact of Tactile Feedback on Driving Safety

Studies show that tactile feedback from physical buttons can significantly reduce driver distraction. For example, BMW's iDrive system combines a knob with a few physical buttons, while Tesla’s Model 3/Model Y has eliminated most physical buttons, relying entirely on the touchscreen. Some users have reported that the absence of traditional physical buttons reduces operational intuitiveness.

Metal button switches still play an important role in the human-machine interaction design of new energy vehicle cockpits. Despite the increased use of touchscreens and knobs, metal buttons remain the preferred choice for controlling key functions due to their intuitive operation, stable tactile feedback, and premium materials.

In the future, the HMI design of new energy vehicles is likely to evolve toward a combination of "physical buttons + touch interaction + voice control" to meet different user preferences. For new energy vehicle manufacturers, it will be crucial to retain the application of metal buttons while enhancing intelligence, optimizing user experience, and improving safety.

Metal buttons are not just relics of mechanical control but an indispensable part of modern automotive engineering. When applied correctly, they bring a better balance to the driving experience in new energy vehicles.