As touchscreen infotainment systems in vehicles increase in size, this trend inevitably consolidates nearly every function into a single touchscreen interface, eliminating tactile controls for core operations (e.g., gear shift, climate change, side mirror adjustment).

This automotive UX study examined the effect of vibrotactile feedback on drivers' visual-manual workload and consumer preferences during multi-step touchscreen interactions for essential driving functions. Results indicated that vibrotactile feedback substantially reduced interaction errors and perceived mental demand and frustration, but is contingent on strategic implementation and visual design.

For the automotive industry, these findings position vibrotactile feedback as a functional safety requirement that warrants industry-wide design standards rather than manufacturer discretion.  As vehicles continue to consolidate controls into touchscreen interfaces, these findings make a case for minimum industry standards that shift the burden of distraction prevention from the driver to the design of the systems drivers inevitably interact with.

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