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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg The 2010 Toyota Prius uses a clever display that mimics user inputs on steering wheel-mounted buttons in the information display meaning you can keep your eyes on the road and not on the buttons. (jalopnik.com/5163826/2010-toyota-prius-touch-tracer-display-makes-buttons-intuitive)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/priusdisplay1.jpgWes Siler - Jalopnik (jalopnik.com) - Mar. 03, 2009

Toyota seems to be addressing a common user complaint. -- Ed.

Although we'll have more on this intuitive system when we're allowed to run our embargoed drive of the new Prius, we figured we'd give you an early taste. It's one of those things that's incredibly simple, yet incredible effective. The two round steering wheel-mounted button clusters are repeated in the information display. That display is mounted at the top of the vehicle's dash, with a focal range approximate to that needed for viewing the road. As you push one of the buttons, the two circles appear in the display and the button you push is highlighted in orange - a visual feedback that confirms your selections.

The steering wheel controls include: audio functions, climate control, trip computer, dynamic radar cruise control, telephone, and lane keep assist. In short, most of the secondary functions you'll commonly use while driving.
http://jalopnik.com/5163826/2010-toyota-prius-touch-tracer-display-makes-buttons-intuitive

They are totally gimmicky until you get a chance to use them, where the make perfect sense. especially for a former Prius Pilot.

Sounds interesting, but only half way there....knowing what you pressed after you pressed it will help you adjust your fingers for the next press, but not get the first one right.

A more useful system would be one that indicates your finger is on the control before you press it. So when you place your finger on the trip button, the trip indicator lights up in a dim orange, but when you press it, the light goes to a bright orange color. It would be more useful, but would also require another level of sensor on the buttons further raising costs. Frankly, having clearly recognizable buttons (with feelable marks), is much cheaper & easier than implementing either arrangement.

Hi Jonathan:

___It really does work and possibly better than you would think as it lights up what you touch before you select it.

http://www.youtube.com/v/t7pR-iqUo4w&hl=en&fs=1

___Good Luck

___Wayne

That's just what I was hoping for....cool!

Sounds interesting, but only half way there....knowing what you pressed after you pressed it will help you adjust your fingers for the next press, but not get the first one right.

A more useful system would be one that indicates your finger is on the control before you press it. So when you place your finger on the trip button, the trip indicator lights up in a dim orange, but when you press it, the light goes to a bright orange color. It would be more useful, but would also require another level of sensor on the buttons further raising costs. Frankly, having clearly recognizable buttons (with feelable marks), is much cheaper & easier than implementing either arrangement.

That's exactly how it work but uses two different colors