A Technology Scan of Touchscreen Trends in Passenger Vehicles

A technology scan of in-vehicle touchscreens was conducted to identify trends for the use of touchscreen displays and controls in North American passenger vehicles, and relevant human factors literature was used to explore the safety implications of these trends. The technology scan focused on touchscreen devices that are installed as original equipment in new and recent passenger vehicles (i.e., from 2020-2024). Relevant data was extracted from owner’s manuals, manufacturer websites, and online videos. Results indicate a trend towards larger touchscreens in the last five years and the moving of functions (e.g., climate control, audio entertainment, primary vehicle controls) from physical buttons to touchscreens. Based on findings from human factors literature, these trends may have a negative impact on road safety. For example, moving primary vehicle controls and infotainment tasks to touchscreens may result in increased distraction and impaired driving performance. Insights about consumer recalls related to touchscreens are also reported.