[EngineerBetter]

I've got a Model X, and the touchscreen is only dangerous when using the on-screen keyboard. If I need to type something whilst driving, I engage Autopilot. There is voice recognition for the phone connectivity and Spotify, but I rarely use it.

Turning on windscreen heater, heating, and all that stuff is pretty straightforward, the on-screen buttons are always in the same place and are next to the bezel so you can anchor your hand. Plus cabin heating can be controlled via clickwheels on the steering wheel.

I think maybe the seat heaters are a little distracting. You can only tell their state by looking at the screen, and they cycle through settings. That's something I'd like a button for, or at least to be able to control via the clickwheels.

Edit

Studied HCI and Usability Engineering at university, did my dissertation in usability of web systems, and generally share your concerns. Not aiming to dismiss them, more say that in my experience it's not as bad as one might expect.

[bcaulfield]

Huh, that's cool. I'd actually like a car where the controls are all big old levers. And yes, I prefer driving cars with manual transmissions.

[elcomet]

This is probably because you learned this way. Old habits die hard.

[CJefferson]

I thought when autopilot drives people into walls, we are told drivers should be giving the road full attention?

[EngineerBetter]

It's definitely a distraction from the road, but you can see the road whilst typing away with one hand.

[justtopost]

Please stop endangering others.

[EngineerBetter]

It's no more a distraction than opening a drink, taking a swig of said drink, or having to look around to see why the kids are crying in the back of the car.

Let's not suggest that Autopilot is safe completely unsupervised, and let's also not suggest that all drivers always look at the road 100% of every drive they take. There is a realistic middle ground, and I'm very grateful to have Autopilot to be an extra set of eyes.