Aftermarket Add-On Aims To Give Buttons And Knobs To Tesla Model 3 And Model Y

If you’ve ever been put off by the Tesla Model 3 or Model Y’s lack of knobs, there may be a solution.

It seems like aftermarket modders are determined to fix the woes of the Tesla Model 3. First, at least one manufacturer created a standalone speedometer mounted in front of the driver, eliminating the need for one integrated into the central screen. Now, another company wants to migrate more controls to a physical knob and button interface.

Called “Ctrl-Bar,” the Norweigan Indiegogo campaign aims to give button functionality via a sleek button bar that would clip to the bottom of the Model 3 or Model Y’s central screen. The new buttons could be used to adjust heat, defrost, seat heaters, and more. It also can add a bit of ambient lighting, shining multi-colored lights directly downward from the edge of the unit.

The addon doesn’t quite integrate natively with the Tesla’s screen, though. It plugs into the vehicle via USB, but the actual addon is powered by software run through the user’s paired phone. Inherently, there will be some delay or latency as the changes made on the addon go through the phone, and back to the car. Whether or not that delay will be unnoticeable, or pretty painful, remains yet to be seen.

The Indiegogo campaign claims to have a working prototype, and it has nearly reached its $27,203 fundraising goal. The campaign is selling future copies of the Ctrl-Bar for €249, ($271 USD in current exchange rates). If the campaign hits its financial goals, production and shipping is expected to begin by June.

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