Volvo Design Chief Announces Addition of Physical Buttons to Current Models

On the afternoon of September 18, according to foreign media reports, during the Q&A session following this week's "2026 Strategy Update" event, Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo’s returning head of design, revealed that the company is preparing to rethink how drivers interact with their vehicles. Ingenlath stated that Volvo will reintroduce several physical buttons compared to current models, while still retaining touchscreen functionality. He explicitly rejected the old approach of lining up row after row of physical buttons, emphasizing instead the need to reassess which functions are best suited for physical controls and which should remain on the touchscreen. Citing Leica cameras as an example, Ingenlath highlighted the tactile feel, material quality, audible feedback when pressing buttons, and how different functions correspond to distinct shapes and interaction methods. He expressed Volvo’s intention to bring this kind of refined interaction experience into the vehicle cabin. He also noted that knobs should be used wherever appropriate, switches can feature varied designs, and physical controls themselves should be seamlessly integrated into the overall vehicle design.