By Admin 
A big change is knocking in the automobile industry. Euro NCAP, Europe’s leading safety agency, is now going to implement new testing protocols from 2026, which can completely change car design and features in the future. While earlier Euro NCAP’s 5-star rating was considered the biggest proof of a car’s safety, now the standards are changing. The new rules will emphasize that the car should not only be safe at the time of an accident, but should also adopt technology in advance that can prevent accidents from happening and ensure the safety of all passengers.
Focus on driver and cabin
- The biggest change in the new rules of Euro NCAP is regarding driver-centric design. In today’s modern cars, almost every feature has gone on touchscreen – be it AC controls, navigation or audio system. This forces the driver to take his eyes off the road. Euro NCAP will now penalize interior designs that distract the driver. According to the agency, even a mere two seconds of distraction can cause a serious accident. Therefore, now physical buttons, tactile feedback (touch based controls) and smart layout will be mandatory in cars so that the driver can maintain focus on the road. If a car operates climate control or hazard lights only through a touchscreen, then such a car will get less points in the Euro NCAP rating.
Monitoring and adaptive systems will be mandatory
- Euro NCAP is now expecting cars to monitor every driver behaviour. Soon Driver Monitoring System (DMS) will be mandatory in every car. This system will monitor eye movements, head position, signs of fatigue and intoxication. In the new guidelines, there is talk of further strengthening child presence sensors, seat belt reminders, adaptive airbags, and cabin safety alerts. Technical deficiencies will reduce safety ratings and reduce customer confidence.
Impact on vehicle manufacturing companies
- For vehicle manufacturers, these changes are not just a safety test but a new design challenge. Now car companies will have to focus not only on premium design, but also on driver-centric and physical-control-friendly interiors. If a car looks stylish but doesn’t meet the requirements like monitoring system or physical buttons, it won’t get a 5-star rating. Let us tell you that customers will get direct benefits of these changes. Due to the new guidelines, cars will not only be safe at the time of crashes, but will also be able to prevent accidents in advance.
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