Windshield wipers should be 100% automated for majority of the cars
Do any cars have 100% reliable rain detection?
European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
311–320 of 660 posts
Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
#312Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you live in a place where this is frequently required, in a Tesla you can put the defrost button on the shortcut bar at the bottom of the screen, where it only requires a quick glance to align your thumb to activate it. Which is actually easier than many cars with physical controls that may require multiple button presses and/or knob turns to configure all of the correct climate settings for defrosting in the curr…
Much easier to have a single physical button.
This doesn't save the wiper situation, though, because that requires navigating menus. Clearly far worse than a physical control in that case.
Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
#313> Now, Euro NCAP is not insisting on everything being its own button or switch. But the organization wants to see physical controls for turn signals, hazard lights, windshield wipers, the horn, and any SOS features This is much more reasonable than I assumed. Unlike seemingly most people here I have no problem whatsoever with fan controls or audio controls or whatever on the touchscreen, as long as it is responsive (…
Teslas don't have physical blinker switches?? That is pure lunacy, are you telling me they're touchscreen activated now?
> Tesla is probably at greatest risk here, having recently ditched physical stalks that instead move the turn signal functions to haptic buttons on the steering wheel.
Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
#314Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Are there really cars where the horn is not a physical button/ring on the steering wheel? Yes: https://antiquecarmuseumofiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/1913-F... Well ... "are" is kinda stretching it...
My 1995 Renault Clio had it as a button on the indicator stalk. Worked very well, in my view. Much easier than pressing the centre of the steering wheel. There's often no need to even move your hand!
Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
#315Earlier quoted context omitted.
Teslas don't have physical blinker switches?? That is pure lunacy, are you telling me they're touchscreen activated now?
From the article: > Tesla is probably at greatest risk here, having recently ditched physical stalks that instead move the turn signal functions to haptic buttons on the steering wheel.
God the future is turning out so lame...
Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
#316Eh. Let the market decide. Yes Tesla overdid the touch controls - but they were also the first company to put a touch screen that isn’t awful into a car. Yes, removing the stalks a going too far imo, but I can’t imagine how narrow my awareness of the world must be for that to register outrage. I almost got hit by a porche 911 gt2 today. That car is completely mechanical - but it was being driven by an aggressive idio…
Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
#317Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
#318> Now, Euro NCAP is not insisting on everything being its own button or switch. But the organization wants to see physical controls for turn signals, hazard lights, windshield wipers, the horn, and any SOS features This is much more reasonable than I assumed. Unlike seemingly most people here I have no problem whatsoever with fan controls or audio controls or whatever on the touchscreen, as long as it is responsive (…
The fog lights are much worse
Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
#319Earlier quoted context omitted.
No. Almost all cars except some concepts and prototypes have mechanical link between the steering wheel and the steering rack. Even if the link is augmented by a hydraulic or electronic booster. If a booster fails you have a chance of overpowering it, it's not that strong. A faulty steer-by-wire will swing you into the oncoming lane with no recourse.
I think the lack of redundancy is the issue. Redundant electrical connections can be very robust otherwise they wouldn't put them in F-35s.
Re: European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls
#320Earlier quoted context omitted.
But even then, how do you find the A/C or volume control on a touch screen without taking your eyes off the road, without accidentally touching something else? You just can't feel your way to the volume knob. Sure, you are a responsible driver and would only do that at a traffic light or other completely safe situation, but I don't know how many accidents touch controls in cars already caused with less responsible dr…
Volume is on the steering wheel. A/C is automatic and I don't need to touch it the vast majority of the time. While driving the most I might want to do is adjust the temperature, and since it's not safety critical I can choose a convenient time. It's at the bottom of the screen so it is easy to do by grabbing behind the bezel and only requires a quick glance to align your thumb. In practice I glance at physical A/C c…