-
It’s Coming…Probably Sooner Than Later
-
I buy a Volvo and they think its a good idea to video me while I’m in the car?
That gives OUTRAGEOUS an entirely new meaning! How can anyone think that’s a good idea? Is that really how we want to handle drunk driving? And who in the heck gives Volvo or any other car company the right, the audacity to do this!
I’ll be the first to agree that “Controversial” is an understatement. But if you’re a parent of a teenager, would a vehicle with these features be something that you would find desirable? How about if the inclusion of these features came with a lower insurance premium?
But the big question is…
Could this type of technology keep us safer from distracted drivers? Yes, it’s a big brother thing and it’s an option not a mandatory feature. Surely there’s a better solution coming down the road.
I’m sure that some will say that phones should be disabled while driving and I’m not disagreeing with that. But they are still working on methods to determine if a phone is being used by a driver or a passenger. Some apps, such as Waze, know when the user is in a moving vehicle and ask the user to state they are a passenger and not operating the vehicle. Apple has a similar feature on it’s iPhone I/OS. But how many people override those warnings and simply press the passenger button?
Again, it’s controversial and I get that. But distracted drivers is a real problem. I take my hat off to Volvo for at least trying to address the problem.
-
Hi Andy, RE: “I’ll be the first to agree that “Controversial” is an understatement. But if you’re a parent of a teenager, would a vehicle with these features be something that you would find desirable? How about if the inclusion of these features came with a lower insurance premium?”
I love my kids (although two of them are up for sale) and I bought them up to be upright, respectful of old people like Jon and Tom. And to do what’s right even when it hurts a little. So NO, I do not want my daughter videoed when she’s kissing her boyfriend good night. And someone filming her I’d hunt down and see how much of ranger training I remember. As for it saving me insurance… I’ll pay extra!
Andy do you really believe that they will simply turn the camera off? Could you keep your doctor and your insurance? Look, I understand technology as a good part of my life has been in the database/web business. But it’s a tool to be owned and operated by us. We’re the owners of not only our vehicles but who we are as Americans with a free will.
All these high technology experts say the same things “Oh it will make your life so much more gooder” and no they are not quite that eloquent, but is that right? Or is it code for we will decide what’s best for you and you fall in line and shut up. We know what’s more gooder! See there’s that eloquence thing again.
Sorry Andy, you I like, but I’ll go real slow on this other stuff. And no Volvo in my garage. I will however send them an 8×10 glossy of my hindquarters!
Next thing you know Jon and Tom will want to have direct debit from our checking accounts for dues! Wow that one gave me goosebumps!
-
Read this story and draw your own conclusions. Would appear excessive use of technology MAY be at fault! Crash averted a day earlier by human intervention!
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/20/asia/lion-air-third-pilot-intl/index.html
-
Like humans, systems can fail or make errors also.
I object strenuously for two reasons. First, I don’t want systems to do for me what i should do for myself, and I do not want to have to ay for them on a car if I do not use them. In short do not shove stuff I don’t want down my throat because some people will not do the right thing. Punish them, not me.
But my second reason is a real sore point with me. By making some systems, devices or features commonplace we allow ourselves to get lazy and then ultimately lose the ability to do what those systems and devices are doing for us. If you think I am kidding, see if the average cashier can make change if the sales register does not tell then how much change to count out. We are turning brain power over to devices.
-
There’s another problem with all this: it’s another step in removing personal responsibility from people. When the car crashes… “it’s not my fault… the computer did it!” A bad direction we’ve been headed as a society in my opinion. Too much “not my fault” and “I’m a victim” going on.
Also, I think the safety argument is really just the way they are trying to sell the tech. To the end buyer and the regulators. It’s just that the companies want to sell more stuff and if they have the new “safe thing” then people might buy their stuff instead of the competition.
-
Okay, go ahead, shoot the messenger.
The UK and EU Will Require All New Cars to Include Devices That Prevent You From Speeding
-
As a society we see increasing vast numbers of people content to let the government provide all the necessities of life, so it is not hard to imagine every phase of life will become someone else’s responsibility.
I expect laws of the future will forbid people to think and take responsibility for their life.
-
Hi Andy,
I don’t see it as shooting the messenger, I see it as the messenger or the message are not necessarily right! I hear the messenger saying “It’s new technology and that makes it right”! And that’s just wrong!
I’m not the only guy who has used a quick burst of speed to get me out of a bad situation. Now you’re telling me “tough, you have an accident because some moron with his $130 sneakers up on the desk is telling us” you ain’t going over x speed”! And like lemmings we go along with it? I call that insanity and turning your life over to the sneaker guy! Everyone who thinks it will stop there take one step forward. Ideally while looking over a 5000 ft cliff. Come on Andy what are you willing to give up for the beloved technology?
I yield the balance of my time to Jon who’s post just above mine is as good as it gets!
Harry
-
I think Andy was just sharing information, I didn’t see any comment otherwise. I’m sure the Europeans just love that deal.
-
Totally agree with Jon. My pennies worth is the government needs to stay out of my personal life, such as if I want to wear a seat belt ,if I want to smoke and eat foods they same are not good for me, carry a gun, pour oil on the ground, shoot a damned owl, Pray in public, say allegiance to the American flag & drive my coal burning bus through any town USA ,I will. As long as I don`t interfere with people around me or comprise someone elses safety.
Let the government protect our borders, attack crime and try to keep a respectable budget, then do it and quit trying to ruin our lives just to appease some liberal, tree hugger!
Did i step over bounds Jon ?
-
Jon, just think about it. Once self driving cars become common, there will be a new Country Song:
Crying Because Both His Gal AND His Truck Done Left Him.
-
First, I don’t see Andy necessarily as an advocate of the message he brings. I don’t see the ensuing discussion as political but as a series of comments on something that has the potential to impact how we ultimately use our coaches.
We clearly have differences of opinion about technology and we express them here, and speaking only for myself and not Tom, I think airing those differences is OK as long as the discussion never gets personal.
As soon as there is a sense discussions are getting personal a thread is getting locked. We have always had different opinions discussed here, some strongly, and that is OK. A few good examples are slides, OTR, rivets, roof airs, etc.
The topics relating to features and systems that take the place of personal responsibility however seem to generate some heat.
-
I couldn’t agree with that more Jon. There’s no place for personal attack’s and that is for sure. Andy and I talk outside the forum all the time so it is certainly nothing personal with me! Although he did ask me over for lunch and gave me an out of state address.
That’s why its always a bad idea to iron a four-leaf clover… You should never press your luck.
Harry
-
Thanks All!
First and foremost, I don’t take these things personally and exchanging ideas and opinions is what makes forums the place to have these types of discussions. If we all agreed, what fun would that be?
For decades I was the leading reporter covering technology for the national media and I have a pretty good eye for seeing trends that are headed our way and cars that are smarter than their drivers are just the tip of the iceberg. Anyone who has a car with a collision avoidance system already knows that it can be a life saver. And yes, this type of technology will have an impact on motorhomes in the very near future as more features are tested and released. In a way, the Prevost Aware system is just the beginning of what is surely to come down the road.
If you’ve been watching the financial markets today, you already know that Lyft is now publicly traded and now has a valuation of more than $20B. This valuation method is no different than Amazon a decade ago when they were spending more money than they made. Lyft’s astronomical valuation is not based on what they are doing today, it’s based on replacing drivers with autonomous vehicles. When Uber goes public, wait to see what that stock does and the money it will pump into the company to invest in even more sophisticated technology.
Yes, these things are coming.
-
Lyft
If you did not receive investor allocation you are under water.
Later
bv
Log in to reply.