this post was submitted on 26 Oct 2023
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Tesla Model X Owner Has Had Enough Of Minimalism, Adds Physical Buttons::Tesla Model X owner from China has attached a panel of physical buttons to the vehicle's main control unit for quicker access to some key functions.

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[–] JackSkellington 239 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Anytime I need to click on a touch button / non physical button I need to take my eyes off the road so I don’t click on other buttons wrongly… physical buttons in car is the way !

[–] saltesc 71 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I still misclick. It's so dangerous.

Back when I was a teen I'd text and drive with T9 on a Nokia without needing to look at anything but the road. Now I have to concerntrate and time bumps to get try turn the demister on.

Physical buttons are just so much safer and easier since you don't need take focus off driving.

I've thought about making an APK I can get going through Android Auto that simply converts my requests via LLM to commands for the car. But I imagine getting the manufacturer's command lists is near impossible and then there's all the shit blocking an APK permissions to control car components. It would otherwise be super easy.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'd be very surprised if they let an APK that wasn't signed in some way by the manufacturer access any vehicle functions. A rogue app could do silly dangerous things. Wait a second, it's Tesla and Musk we're talking about here. No, I'd actually not be surprised upon reflection.

[–] ericisshort 9 points 1 year ago

I had my rebuttal locked and loaded until those last two sentences. What a ride.

[–] LazaroFilm 6 points 1 year ago

You could have an ESP32 connected to your phone. The ESP could control some relays or simply raise/lower pins to connect to whatever this physycal board is connected to. You make your own API from there.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What car components would you like to be able to voice command?

Texting, calling and maps are already in android auto, and those are usually the ones in the car OS too, so I doubt they even have commands for other stuff. Maybe the AC if it's even connected to the computer.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

The next generation of CarPlay is going to be able to control the AC and integrate with the car enough to take over all the panels. I haven’t seen Siri mentioned but I’m guessing Siri would be able to control it too.

I don’t really follow android so I don’t know if they have similar in the works.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting 50 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I want jackknife switches for every function, all wired to go chokBZAK and throw sparks at me every time I use my turn signal. Mad science maximalist aesthetics.

[–] [email protected] 37 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] Usernameblankface 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks for the visual. This helps

[–] Gradually_Adjusting 16 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I'm imagining a dashboard bristling with these, to control everything from door locks to wipers.

Maybe a few big red buttons and flashing toggle buttons too, case depending.

It'd be a horrible experience to drive, which is itself a net benefit.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

and flashing toggle buttons too

Don't forget the safety covers

[–] Gradually_Adjusting 14 points 1 year ago

I think I just realized something. I don't want a car, I want a flashing fidget toy that can zap me and make sudden noises.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Dude those are fucking quality right there! I kind of want that

[–] Nudding 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It takes like 4 switches and a button to get the power into the back to open the trunk, all while you crackle maniacally in the grocery store parking lot. Also it needs to be struck by lightning first.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting 6 points 1 year ago
[–] Usernameblankface 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So, in the future when self driving is a thing, you have most people napping or watching their favorite drama in 2 second clips between 5 second commercials, and then there's you. Fully entertained you, cackling while randomly flipping hundreds of switches that aren't quite aligned, each one making a spark on contact and doing something innocuous like changing the color of the interior accent lights.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting 1 points 1 year ago

Probably still be walking places like some kind of asshole