Auto reviewer shreds 'dumb' car features nobody wanted... but they're stuck with them anyway
Summary
Auto reviewer Kristen Brown is criticizing "dumb" car features in new models, arguing they're distracting and unnecessary for everyday drivers, especially parents. She targets overly sensitive touchscreens, unreliable gesture controls, intrusive driver monitoring systems, and subscription-based features for basic amenities. Brown believes these are driven by the tech race, data collection, cost savings, and ambitions for autonomous driving. She advocates for prioritized safety, usability, driver options, improved voice control, and ethical data collection. Brown stresses that car technology should focus on the needs and concerns of drivers, not just adding innovation for innovation's sake.
Full News Report
Here's the article: **Auto Reviewer Shreds 'Dumb' Car Features Nobody Wanted... But They're Stuck With Them Anyway** **Los Angeles, CA – October 26, 2023** – In a fiery takedown that's resonating with parents and tech-averse drivers nationwide, auto reviewer Kristen Brown is shredding a slew of “dumb” car features proliferating in the latest vehicle models. Brown, a mother of two toddlers, argues that many of these technologies are not only unnecessary and distracting but actively detrimental to the driving experience. Her reviews, posted across her popular blog "Mom's Auto Musings" and various social media platforms, are highlighting the growing disconnect between auto manufacturers' vision of the future and the practical needs of everyday drivers. The surge in complex, often frustrating, in-car tech has prompted the question: are we trading usability for the sake of perceived innovation? This critique comes at a time when automotive companies are locked in a relentless race to integrate the latest and greatest technology into their vehicles. But Brown's perspective, grounded in the real-world chaos of managing young children in the car, offers a refreshing counterpoint to the industry's relentless pursuit of innovation, forcing manufacturers to reconsider what features truly enhance—and what detract—from the driving experience. But the question is: Are automakers listening? **The "Dumb" Car Features Facing the Chopping Block** Brown's critiques are aimed at a variety of features that she deems either overly complex, distracting, or simply unnecessary. These "dumb" features range from overly sensitive touchscreens to gesture controls that misinterpret simple movements. * **Over-Reliance on Touchscreens:** One of Brown's biggest gripes is the industry's shift away from physical buttons and knobs in favor of touchscreens. She argues that these touchscreens are often difficult to navigate while driving, requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road for extended periods. "Trying to adjust the volume or change the temperature while keeping two toddlers from fighting is a recipe for disaster," she states in one review. "A simple knob I can reach without looking is infinitely safer and more practical." This criticism highlights a common frustration among drivers of all demographics who yearn for the simplicity and tactile feedback of physical controls. * **Gesture Controls Gone Wild:** Another target of Brown's ire is the proliferation of gesture controls. While intended to simplify in-car interactions, Brown finds these controls to be unreliable and often triggered accidentally. "I was trying to adjust the rearview mirror, and the car decided I wanted to skip to the next song," she recounts in another review. "It's not intuitive, it's distracting, and frankly, it's just plain annoying." The lack of precision and responsiveness in many gesture control systems makes them more of a gimmick than a genuinely useful feature. * **Unnecessary Driver Monitoring Systems:** The increasing adoption of driver monitoring systems, designed to detect fatigue or distraction, has also drawn criticism. While intended to improve safety, Brown argues that these systems can be overly sensitive and intrusive, especially when dealing with the normal distractions of having children in the car. "My kids are loud, they drop things, they need my attention," she explains. "The car shouldn't penalize me for glancing back to hand them a snack or break up a squabble. It creates more stress, not less." The potential for false positives and the constant surveillance can be off-putting for many drivers. * **Subscription-Based Features:** Beyond the physical interfaces, Brown also takes aim at the growing trend of subscription-based features. She argues that essential features like heated seats or remote start should be included in the price of the vehicle, not offered as ongoing subscription services. "I already paid a significant amount for this car," she says. "I shouldn't have to keep paying monthly fees to access features that used to be standard equipment." This criticism reflects a growing consumer backlash against the nickel-and-diming of automotive features. **Why Auto Manufacturers Are Pushing These Features** The push for these "dumb" car features isn't necessarily driven by malice. Instead, it's a confluence of factors: * **The Tech Race:** Automakers are constantly striving to outdo each other in terms of technology and innovation. They see advanced in-car tech as a way to attract tech-savvy consumers and differentiate themselves from the competition. * **Data Collection:** Many of these features are designed to collect data on driver behavior, which can be used to improve future vehicle designs, develop targeted advertising, and even potentially influence insurance rates. * **Cost Savings:** Paradoxically, replacing physical buttons with touchscreens can, in some cases, reduce manufacturing costs. Touchscreens can be standardized across multiple models, reducing the need for model-specific button configurations. * **Autonomous Driving Ambitions:** Much of the advanced technology being integrated into vehicles today is intended to pave the way for autonomous driving. Features like driver monitoring systems and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are seen as crucial steps towards fully self-driving cars. **The Impact on Drivers (and Passengers)** The proliferation of "dumb" car features has a number of potential impacts on drivers: * **Increased Distraction:** As Brown argues, many of these features are inherently distracting. Fumbling with touchscreens or trying to decipher confusing menus can take a driver's attention away from the road, increasing the risk of accidents. * **Reduced Usability:** Complex interfaces and unreliable controls can make it more difficult to perform simple tasks, such as adjusting the climate control or changing the radio station. This can lead to frustration and a less enjoyable driving experience. * **Higher Costs:** Subscription-based features and the higher upfront cost of vehicles with advanced technology can put a significant strain on drivers' budgets. * **Safety Concerns:** Overly sensitive driver monitoring systems can be a nuisance, but in some cases, they can also be dangerous. If a system falsely detects driver fatigue and suddenly brakes the car, it could cause an accident. **The Future of Car Technology: Finding a Balance** While Brown's critiques are pointed, she's not advocating for a return to the Stone Age of automotive technology. Instead, she's calling for a more thoughtful and user-centric approach to car design. * **Prioritizing Safety and Usability:** Automakers should prioritize features that genuinely improve safety and usability, rather than simply adding technology for technology's sake. * **Offering Options:** Give drivers the option to customize their in-car experience. Allow them to choose between touchscreen controls and physical buttons, or to disable features they find distracting or unnecessary. * **Focusing on Voice Control:** Improve voice control systems so that drivers can perform common tasks without taking their eyes off the road. Natural language processing and more intuitive voice interfaces are key to making voice control a genuinely useful feature. * **Transparency and Ethical Data Collection:** Be transparent about data collection practices and give drivers control over how their data is used. Ensure that data is collected ethically and responsibly. Brown's message is clear: automakers need to listen to the needs and concerns of everyday drivers, not just the siren song of the latest technology. The future of car technology depends on finding a balance between innovation and usability, ensuring that cars are not only technologically advanced but also safe, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive. **Related Trends** * **The Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles:** Cars are becoming increasingly reliant on software, which allows automakers to update and improve features over time. However, it also introduces new challenges, such as cybersecurity risks and the potential for software glitches. * **The Growing Importance of User Experience (UX):** Automakers are increasingly recognizing the importance of UX in car design. They are investing in research and development to create more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. * **The Debate Over "Right to Repair":** Consumers are demanding the right to repair their own vehicles, rather than being forced to rely on authorized dealerships. This movement is gaining momentum and could have a significant impact on the automotive industry. Kristen Brown's perspective, as a mom navigating the complexities of family life on the road, is a vital voice in the ongoing conversation about the future of car technology. Her call for practicality and usability over flashy features is a reminder that the best technology is the technology that serves the driver, not the other way around.
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technology