Improving car panel design

A brilliant concept project was created by Matthaeus Krenn (http://matthaeuskrenn.com/new-car-ui/) that brings a new look to the interfaces of the panels of the cars:

Even in newer models that have digital interfaces, the controls are an amalgamation of buttons and controls side by side that require the driver to look at the interface to find the desired button. In that context, a second of distraction can pose danger to the user and the other drivers around them:

Several automotive companies have begun replacing traditional physical controls with touchscreen interfaces. Unfortunately, their ambition to dictate new trends in hardware does not fit very well with the software they create in this new context. Instead of exploring new limitations and opportunities, automakers simply replicate old button patterns on these new touch interfaces.

So basic controls like air conditioning and music players—which are commonly used by people while driving—now lose the tactile...