LIKE other industries, the automotive industry has benefited massively from technological advancements. Since day one, the vast array of clever innovations brought forward by car manufacturers has made driving more efficient, enjoyable, and safe.

However, as car companies rush to introduce the latest and freshest gizmos to fervent consumers, some so-called innovations render driving more complicated and cause drivers to lose focus instead.

In this writer’s opinion, these are the seven most useless car features:

Messaging app integration

Systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are handy if you want quick access to navigation apps like Waze and music streaming services like Spotify. But their functionality is not limited to just that – these systems can also read and reply to messages you receive in WhatsApp or Telegram through voice commands. This can certainly be distracting for the driver.

Voice command

Voice command is designed to help drivers control certain car functions without having to take their hands off the wheel. Sounds great but based on this writer’s experience, there are voice command systems that have difficulty recognising and understanding Malaysian English, making the overall process more complicated and ultimately leading to distracted driving.

Gesture control

This is another feature that serves no real purpose other than to distract the driver on the road. The aim of this system is similar to voice command but instead of using voice to control it, user must perform hand gestures (pointing fingers, swiping left and right) to complete the simplest of tasks like turning the volume up or down or answering calls. What’s wrong with just using physical knobs and buttons?

G-Force meter

G-Force (G for gravity) is a measure of acceleration, which is created when an object speeds up, slows down or switches direction. In an aircraft, a G-Force meter is a vital tool for pilots to ensure they do not exceed the limits of the aircraft. In a car? The only real use is when you want to brag to your friends during the weekend trip to Genting Highlands.

Wireless charger

Most, if not all, modern vehicles come with USB Type A and Type C charging ports to allow passengers to charge their devices while in the car. Cables are great for charging but the cabin can get quite messy. Therefore, manufacturers have started placing wireless chargers in the cabin. It’s a good alternative but wireless chargers take a long time to charge and usually, the phone gets really warm.

Auto Start/Stop

This system is designed to reduce fuel consumption, but the way it operates can be very disruptive to driving, especially when you are in heavy traffic. In fact, the first thing this writer does every time he gets a test car is to turn off this function. How much fuel can really be saved with this system?

Air-con that can only be controlled via touchscreen

Over time, the number of physical buttons and knobs used in cars has significantly decreased. All functions are now integrated into the infotainment system and can only be accessed via touchscreen. This is probably the most effective approach if automakers want to design a modern, clutter-free interior but as a driver, certain functions like air conditioning still require physical control to allow us to maintain focus on the road.