Why new Mercedes models are becoming increasingly unfriendly

Have you ever driven a modern Mercedes? Then you’re probably familiar with the terrible touch surfaces on the steering wheel that are a pain to use. Has the brand learned from this? No, the usability will only get worse.

Like many other car brands, Mercedes is relying on extensive digitalization of the car. For example, the EQS can be ordered with the Hyperscreen, a huge display that takes up the entire dashboard.

Touchpads on the Mercedes steering wheel

Such a screen looks beautiful and impressive, but is not the best solution for operating important functions such as the air conditioning and heated seats on the go.

Perhaps even worse than a touchscreen are touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Mercedes, for example, uses small touchpads that you have to swipe over.

Firstly, they are far too small and secondly, far too sensitive, making it difficult to operate them blindly while on the move. Real buttons that you can feel are a better solution.

More screens and surfaces

But Mercedes doesn’t believe in it. There will be many more screens and touch surfaces in the car, said technology boss Markus Schäfer at the CES in Las Vegas.

Mercedes will introduce seamless screens, says Schäfer, from left to right [over het dashboard] go. The current Hyperscreen may look like a single screen, but it’s not.

Artificial intelligence

Mercedes is therefore not going back to simpler operation with more physical buttons. There will be AI in the car with which the driver and passengers can naturally communicate.

Mercedes has to be careful here, says Schäfer, because “we have to prevent ChatGPT from selling drivers complete nonsense, otherwise we will find ourselves in a liability situation.”