[jccooper]

A touch (on a physical object) can make a change in half a second, requires no thinking, and can be done without looking.

Voice control (even if it works reliably, which it does not today) takes several seconds and requires thought in composition and execution.

Touch on a flat screen may be quick, but requires looking. But it's probably not quick, because you'll probably have to change modes, which will require thinking and several seconds of manipulation.

Just put some damn hard buttons on the dash. I know why manufacturers love the screens: they require no tooling, provide lots of real estate for all the doohickeys you want to cram in, and they're hip (Ooh! Like and iPad(TM)!). But they don't belong in cars. Even good ones like Tesla's are bad.

Years ago I said I wouldn't buy a car with screen controls. Now it looks like I just won't be able to buy a new car.

I repeat: Just put some damn hard buttons on the dash.