Tesla vehicles come with essentially zero buttons. But, most of us want actual buttons for common tasks.
A Norwegian startup, Greenmission, has a solution for your Tesla button desires. It is trying to launch the second generation of its Tesla OEM-style add-on buttons. The Ctrl-Bar 2 is an accessory that attaches under the Model 3 and Y’s center screen, offering fully programmable physical buttons.
Not Everyone Is Ready for Full Screens
One of Tesla’s killer features has always been a near-complete absence of in-cabin buttons. You get a couple that are legally required, but nearly every control in the vehicle is managed via the touchscreen.
For plenty of tech-hungry buyers, it’s great. But for the increasing number of vehicle shoppers who demand buttons to run their climate controls, it’s a nonstarter. For those who learned they needed buttons after the sale, it’s a disaster.
Greenmission’s Ctrl-Platform looks to remedy the problem, at least for anyone who thinks it needs fixing. The company is offering three different add-ons that work together to try and make the Model 3 and Model Y a little easier for us troglodytes.
Greenmission Ctrl-Bar 2 Adds Knobs & Buttons
The Ctrl-Bar 2 is the main focus. It’s a small pod that attaches to the car just under the screen. It has two aluminum knobs to control the driver’s and passenger-side vent temperatures.
Between the knobs are a series of buttons that can run commands that would otherwise be screen-only. Things you rarely use, like opening the frunk or trunk, or unlocking the doors.
The best part is that you can customize them, with Greenmission showing mirror adjustments or wiper controls among the options. The color display will also adjust between different buttons when you’re parked or moving.
Ctrl-Stripe
Ctrl-Stripe is a light bar that plugs into the Bar 2 and goes behind the steering wheel to fix another Tesla owner gripe. Tesla’s turn signal lights, the little green arrows that tell you the signal is on, appear on the screen. Stripe gives you a much larger green indicator light that’s right in front of you for better visibility.
The Stripe light bar will also alert you with animations to match other vehicle functions. Or you can just light it up to match the car’s ambient lighting and look cool.
Ctrl-Bridge
Lastly is the Ctrl-Bridge. This one plugs into the car’s diagnostic port to give you even more control over your Tesla. You’ll need the Bridge to make the extra shortcuts work on the Bar 2, and it can add features like more control over regenerative braking.
Setup for the features is done through Greenmission’s app. Link your Tesla, set up the commands you want, and the unit is good to go. It will work with all Model 3 and Y vehicles, though the latest ones will need an extra month of development.
Greenmission Is Crowdfunding Its Ctrl Controls
As it did with the original Ctrl-Bar, Greenmission is crowdsourcing its funding. The original was through Indiegogo; this one is looking for backing via Kickstarter. The company is more than halfway to its $29,000 goal, with the project ending on Dec. 18.
The elements are surprisingly affordable for tech like this. The Greenmission Ctrl-Bar 2 reward is $208, including shipping, with a March delivery estimate. Adding the Stripe brings that to $252. Getting all three, the Bar 2, Bridge, and Stripe, is currently $287 (approximate sums converted from euros).
We’re torn on this one. It’s great that you can make your Tesla Model 3 or Model Y more like a so-called normal car. But it’s also frustrating when car companies — and Tesla is far from the only one doing it — get rid of all the buttons for touchscreens. Please, automakers, stop it!
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