Key facts
- Lexus is reintroducing physical controls in its new ES sedan.
- The new buttons are normally invisible and light up when a hand nears.
- The move reflects concerns about the safety and user-friendliness of touchscreens.
Toyota Motor's Lexus luxury brand is stepping away from a full touchscreen interface in its new ES sedan by incorporating 'seamless light-up buttons.' These controls are designed to be invisible until a hand moves near them, at which point they illuminate. This design choice signals a broader industry re-evaluation of physical controls versus touchscreens, driven by consumer feedback on safety and ease of use. The move by Lexus suggests a growing ambivalence among consumers regarding the trend towards minimalist, all-touchscreen dashboards.