Jonathan Ive: Touchscreens Are Unsuitable as Primary Car Interfaces

Former Apple Chief Design Officer Jonathan Ive recently commented at the launch of Ferrari's first electric sports car, the Luce, that although the original iPhone—whose design he led—helped popularize touch technology, touchscreens are not suitable as the primary interface in cars. He noted that using touchscreens while driving requires diverting one’s eyes from the road, posing a safety hazard. Consequently, the Luce features numerous physical buttons and knobs throughout its cabin, retaining only a single central touchscreen. All physical controls are designed with distinct tactile feedback to enable intuitive operation without looking. Ive criticized the automotive industry for blindly chasing large screens and touch interfaces, calling it a trend driven by "fashion" rather than genuine problem-solving design.