Volvo is big on safety. The Swedish automaker practically invented the traditional three-point seatbelt, and it’s been innovating in the space ever since. Now, Volvo is turning its attention to making its in-car screens safer—not through better technology or more buttons, mind you, but through typefaces. Yes, typefaces.
With more screens in vehicles than ever, Volvo wants to make sure its fonts are easy to read—especially while driving. That’s why its user interface team developed a new font aimed at improving safety on the road.
The font is called Volvo Centum, and it’s a nod to the company’s 100th anniversary in 2027. Designed in collaboration with typeface studio Dalton Maag, Volvo plans to debut the font in the new EX60 in early 2026.
Speaking with Dezeen, Volvo explained that the font is designed to "directly influence eye movements," so drivers aren’t distracted by anything on screen other than the text. Volvo also reduced unnecessary graphics and visual clutter; the font keeps drivers’ eyes focused on what matters.
"Every design choice—form, weight, proportion—is 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 silly, but a more readable font can have a real impact on safety. A study by AAA found that drivers spend 18 to 40 seconds on average looking at the center touchscreen, depending on age. At just 25 miles per hour, a car can travel nearly five football fields in 40 seconds. A clearer, cleaner font could help reduce time spent on screen.
Just Bring Back Buttons
Of course, there’s a simpler solution to all of this: bring back physical buttons.
With studies highlighting the dangers of in-car touchscreens and many drivers frustrated by touchscreen overload, automakers are starting to reintegrate buttons into their cabins—finally. After years of replacing traditional dials with screens and touch-capacitive controls, brands like Hyundai, Porsche, and Volkswagen are reemphasizing the value of tactile controls.
Volvo still hasn’t gotten the memo. The new EX60 looks promising, but like the current EX30—still one of the most frustrating cars I’ve driven—it features two large screens and very few buttons. Simple tasks like adjusting the fan speed or opening the glove box are still buried in the touchscreen interface.
At least Volvo is starting to listen. In October, the company said it’s considering replacing its key card entry system with a traditional fob. Hopefully, that’s a sign more buttons are on the way, and soon.
Source: Volvo via Dezeen
