On May 28th, as global attention towards environmental protection and sustainable development continues to grow, new energy vehicles are becoming increasingly prevalent as a significant trend for future transportation, gradually entering households. However, like any emerging technology or product, new energy vehicles inevitably encounter some issues and challenges during their development.
One significant issue that cannot be ignored is the presence of "anti-human" designs in certain vehicle models. These designs not only have the potential to impact the user experience of drivers but may also pose safety hazards.
Electronic Rearview Mirrors
Electronic rearview mirrors, as an innovative design in new energy vehicles, were originally intended to enhance driving safety by reducing wind resistance, avoiding headlight glare, and providing a broader viewing angle. However, this design has revealed numerous issues in practical application.
Firstly, due to the introduction of complex electronic systems and multiple cameras, their failure rate is relatively high. Once a malfunction occurs, it not only affects the driver's line of sight but may also increase safety risks. Secondly, the maintenance and repair costs of electronic rearview mirrors are high, undoubtedly a significant burden for vehicle owners.
Furthermore, some drivers have reported discomfort with the imaging effect of electronic rearview mirrors, as they are accustomed to the imaging method of traditional rearview mirrors, leading to symptoms such as dizziness and eye fatigue. Lastly, the delayed display issue of electronic rearview mirrors has garnered attention, as this delay may affect the driver's distance judgment, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
The good news is that currently, domestic vehicles do not come standard with electronic rearview mirrors.
Single Pedal Mode
From an energy-saving perspective, the introduction of single pedal mode does have its rationale. This design allows drivers to accelerate and decelerate through a single pedal, significantly improving energy utilization efficiency and making a positive contribution to energy conservation and emission reduction in new energy vehicle models.
However, while enhancing energy efficiency, this design also brings considerable inconvenience to passengers. Whenever the driver releases the accelerator, passengers often feel a noticeable jerk, creating an unstable driving state that greatly affects passenger comfort.
Even if you are not prone to motion sickness, you may still feel uncomfortable in this mode. Therefore, from the passenger's perspective, single pedal mode clearly has its shortcomings.
More critically, single pedal mode may also negatively impact the driving habits of drivers. Once drivers become accustomed to this operating method, they may forget to brake in emergency situations or mistakenly use the accelerator as a brake, leading to serious safety hazards. This risk is particularly pronounced in high-speed or complex road conditions and should not be overlooked.
Central Screen Gear Shift
As a new attempt in the field of new energy vehicles, the central screen gear shift aims to simplify operations and enhance the sense of technology. However, this design has sparked numerous controversies in practical application.
For older vehicle owners accustomed to traditional gear shifting methods, the central screen gear shift poses a new challenge. They may need to spend a significant amount of time adapting to this entirely different operating method, increasing the complexity and risks of driving.
Touchscreen operations lack the intuitiveness and precision of physical buttons. During driving, frequent gear adjustments require precise touchscreen operations, which may fail or result in errors due to accidental touches or imprecise operations. This not only affects the smoothness of driving but also poses a potential threat to driving safety.
Moreover, touchscreen operations lack the tactile feedback of traditional gear shifting, making the driving process monotonous. For driving enthusiasts, the tactile feedback during gear shifting is part of the joy of driving, a sensation completely deprived by the central screen gear shift. Additionally, integrating gear shifting functions into the screen may increase interface complexity.
Weak In-Car System Performance
As new energy vehicles advance towards intelligence and connectivity, the functions carried by in-car systems are becoming increasingly rich and complex. However, this poses a question: Is the performance of in-car systems strong enough to support these functions?
In practical use, many vehicle owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of their in-car systems. System lag may occur during startup or application switching, impacting the user experience of drivers and potentially causing distractions during operation, increasing driving risks. Delays or errors in navigation or entertainment functions also occur, causing inconvenience to drivers during travel.
More critically, inadequate performance of in-car systems in key functions such as vehicle status monitoring and fault warning may lead to inaccurate or delayed information.
Hidden Door Handles
As one of the design elements pursued by automakers for a sense of "ceremony," hidden door handles do enhance the stylishness of vehicles in appearance. However, this design reveals some issues in practical use, especially in winter and for specific user groups.
Due to their complex internal structure, hidden door handles are more prone to icing in cold winter conditions. This may prevent the door handle from popping out normally, inconveniencing both the vehicle owner and passengers. In extreme cases, frozen door handles may even prevent the door from opening properly, increasing safety risks.
Moreover, hidden door handles may not be user-friendly for the elderly and children. They need to adapt to the new opening method, which may increase the difficulty of use. In emergency situations, the inability to quickly open the door may cause unnecessary distress.
In terms of safety, hidden door handles also pose some risks. In the event of an accident or power failure, if the door handle fails to pop out promptly, passengers may be trapped inside the vehicle, especially in harsh weather conditions such as winter or rainy days, making rescue more challenging. It is comforting to see that many car manufacturers are adopting more stylish and practical semi-hidden door handle designs.
No Physical Buttons
In the era of digitization, cars are also embracing the "touchscreen" magic. Touchscreens and touch buttons resemble futuristic props from sci-fi movies, instantly transforming cars into tech-savvy products that appeal to young drivers. These trendy designs make operations more convenient - a wave of the hand or a voice command, and the car responds like a companion understanding your thoughts, reducing the awkwardness of accidental touches.
However, like every magic spell, the design of no physical buttons is not without its drawbacks. Sometimes, these "magic buttons" may suddenly malfunction, leading to lagging or unintended touches becoming a common occurrence. The car's human-machine interaction system seems unable to keep up with the lightning speed of smartphones, occasional lags or even crashes leaving drivers both amused and frustrated. Moreover, under the "magic attack" of high temperatures or humidity, the touchscreen may become sluggish or even "go on strike," causing headaches for drivers.
For some "old-school" drivers, these touchscreen features are as incomprehensible as ancient scrolls. They need to spend more time "deciphering" these smart operations, as if learning a new language.
In certain situations, such as needing to quickly adjust the air conditioning temperature or defog the windows, traditional physical buttons prove to be more direct and efficient. Just like in the world of magic, we still need some "traditional magic" to deal with unexpected circumstances.
Unobstructed Panoramic Sunroof
Leaking sunroofs are not uncommon, but when it comes to panoramic sunroofs, it's a whole different story. Imagine its intricate structure, resembling a miniature observatory. However, over time, this "observatory" may also have its share of "leaky" incidents. Coupled with its high manufacturing cost and expansive view, forgetting to close it on a rainy day can lead to a costly "shower."
Additionally, in summer, with a panoramic sunroof, you need to prepare "sunshade tools" and sunscreen for your beloved car in advance. Otherwise, the interior temperature can skyrocket to make you question life choices. Moreover, without proper maintenance, prolonged exposure to the scorching sun may cause wrinkles on your interior, aging components prematurely.
Nevertheless, the panoramic sunroof also has its gentle side. For those prone to motion sickness, the discomfort and crowding in the back seat may feel like a daily occurrence. At such times, the panoramic sunroof acts as a magical "visual masseuse," offering a clear view of the outside scenery, diverting your attention and instantly relaxing your mood.
Half-Steering Wheel
Let's talk about the half-steering wheel, a "fashionista" descended from the racetrack. Designed as a half-wheel, it instantly broadens the field of vision for race drivers and allows owners of electric vehicles to see the large screen more clearly. However, daily driving is not as straightforward as on the racetrack, often requiring full steering lock, where the half-wheel may seem inadequate.
While some find it avant-garde and tech-savvy, others find it odd and out of place. After all, for most people, a steering wheel should be round and complete. Moreover, with fewer hand positions available, prolonged driving may lead to hand fatigue.
More importantly, safety risks cannot be ignored. During sharp turns or emergency situations, there may be instances of slipping or crossed hands, affecting driving safety. Especially during parking or U-turns, drivers may need to cross hands or slip to complete the turn, undoubtedly increasing the difficulty and likelihood of errors.
What do you think are some other "anti-human" designs in the field of electric vehicles? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.
