Volvo is big on safety. The Swedish automaker essentially invented the traditional three-point seat belt, and it has continued to innovate in this area ever since. Now Volvo is turning its attention to making the screens in the car safer – not through better technology or more buttons, mind you, but through fonts. Yes, fonts.
With more screens in vehicles than ever, Volvo wants to ensure fonts are easy to read, especially while driving. That’s why the user interface team has developed a new font, aimed at improving road safety.
Photo by: Volvo
The font is mentioned Volvo Centerand it’s a nod to the company’s 100th anniversary in 2027. Designed in collaboration with font studio Dalton Maag, Volvo plans to introduce the font in the new EX60 in early 2026.
Speak with DezeenVolvo explained that the font is designed to “directly influence eye movements” so that drivers are not distracted by anything on the screen other than the text. Volvo also reduced unnecessary graphics and visual clutter; the font ensures that the driver’s eyes stay focused on what is important.
“Every design choice (shape, weight, proportion) was made to help people read faster, understand better and stay focused in the car,” says Pablo Bosch, font developer at Dalton Maag.
It may sound strange, but a more readable font can have a real impact on security. A study of AAA found that drivers look at the center touchscreen for an average of 18 to 40 seconds, depending on their age. At a speed of just 40 kilometers per hour, a car can cover almost five football fields in 40 seconds. A clearer, cleaner font can help reduce time spent on screen.
Just bring the buttons back
Photo by: Volvo
Of course, there’s a simpler solution to all this: bring back physical buttons.
With studies highlighting the dangers of touchscreens in cars and many drivers frustrated by touchscreen overload, automakers are finally starting to re-integrate buttons into their cabins. After years of replacing traditional watch faces with screens and touch-sensitive controls, brands like Hyundai, Porsche and Volkswagen are once again emphasizing the value of tactile controls.
Volvo still hasn’t received the memo. The new EX60 looks promising, but like the current EX30 (still one of the most frustrating cars I’ve driven) it has two large screens and very few buttons. Simple tasks like adjusting the fan speed or opening the glove box are still hidden in the touchscreen interface.
At least Volvo is starting to listen. In October, the company said it was considering replacing its key card access system with a traditional remote control. Hopefully that’s a sign that more buttons are on the way, and soon.
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