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The reversing beep-beep ain't going to go any time soon -- it's a audio warning to prevent workers being crushed under reversing trucks. (It might go if and wh

by cstross 10y ago

The reversing beep-beep ain't going to go any time soon -- it's a audio warning to prevent workers being crushed under reversing trucks. (It might go if and when reversing cameras, which are now standard on automobiles, become standard on trucks ... but there are headaches implicit in adding them to articulated lorries: what about side blind-spots? What about the trailer, as opposed to the tractor? What if a trailer-camera isn't hooked up -- should it be impossible to reverse an electric tractor if it has a trailer hook-up but no signal from the camera on the trailer?)

samcheng 10y ago
Maybe automated trucks won't need that beep, once they can be trusted to stop before crushing anyone behind them?
- Avshalom 10y ago
  You'd still want something shouting "get out of the way, we're working here" because you don't want to have to stop.
  - samcheng 10y ago
    We'll know automated cars have truly arrived when they start using the horn against humans.
Scottopherson 10y ago
Not necessarily. It's being changed in some places because studies show that there are safer (and less annoying) noises that can be utilized: Tom Scott - Why Do Reversing Trucks Not Beep Any More? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa28lIGuxq8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa28lIGuxq8 As someone with construction taking place next door to me I really wish they would start getting rid of the beeping in more places. I'm pessimistic that it will happen in my area anytime soon though.
mkj 10y ago
The beep-beep could be a lot quieter in general, just needs to have something so it's adaptive to the current ambient noise level. At the moment it has to be loud enough for any situation.