Auto Show Goodies Part 1

Every year me and my dad try to get out to the Chicago Auto Show. Its one of those father son traditions that we started when I was younger. It's fun to go and see what each car company has been developing, look at the futuristic concept vehicles, and sit in some of the new cars.

This year I went to the show with a little different perspective on the car designs. I think most of the EDI peeps will agree that we are all looking at designs, specifically interaction designs, with a little more focus and criticism. So I went into this years auto show knowing that there would be a tons of interaction designs on all of the vehicles.

One of the first designs I came across was this car door handle with small black button on it.
Apparently this button is used in combination with a key fob to lock the door when the driver is leaving the vehicle. As the driver walks up to the car and has the key fob in his or her pocket the car will automatically unlock and can be started without inserting the key into the ignition. However, as the driver is leaving the car the button can be used to lock the car without getting the key fob out and pressing the lock button. I think this is a cool design, your hand is usually close to the door handle as you close the door so it wouldn't be hard to simply push the button. I also like the fact that this button was a very tactile button. It had a good feel to it and was satisfying when you pushed it.

The one thing that struck me initially about this design is that its a bit visually intrusive. The black button doesn't blend well with the silver metallic paint and the button placement, while convenient, is highly visible. I thought the button might be better suited if it were placed on the inside of the handle, out of direct sight line yet still easily accessible.