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People are using these gimmicky car displays on the tiny instrument cluster for changing lanes? I sure as fuck hope not. That just seems like extra data from th

People are using these gimmicky car displays on the tiny instrument cluster for changing lanes? I sure as fuck hope not. That just seems like extra data from their vision systems, which is also why cars randomly disappear in it or swerve wildly. No, the Tesla implementation of this is lazy. Every other car with lane assist has a warning light in the corresponding side view mirror. This forces the user to look into the mirror, which also means a failure of the system to detect an obstacle is not a big deal.

yitchelle 7y ago
Totally agree with you. The usage of smartphone style UI for central console or even the instrument cluster itself are a really dangerous practice. The driver should be able to reach out with one hand and made the change immediately, not swiping to the correct context a few times before making the change. /rant off.
tomp 7y ago
Personally, I think the side-view-mirror-warning-lights are a nuisance, every time I've driven in a car that has them I wanted to turn them off. The rate of false positives is high, and because they flash at the edge of your viewing field, they divert your attention from the road...
- mhb 7y ago
  I don't know what car you drove, but, as a counter-factual, the Subaru ones are great. I've never had a false positive or negative and don't find them distracting. I'm also impressed with how well the rest of their safety tech works - lane changing warning, back up obstacles, etc.
  - jclardy 7y ago
    Agreed, but with my Mazda. Maybe it is an older model? Mine is 2015. The only annoyance I have with it is if you are in a double left turn lane and actually use your signals. It'll beep at you since it detects a car and doesn't know you are turning vs changing lanes.
    - gh123man 7y ago
      My 2017 Miata does this exactly. So I guess it's not fixed.
    - stefan_ 7y ago
      Double left turn lane? That is a very wise warning. People do not know how to turn.
  - ummonk 7y ago
    Yeah, have a Subaru and find the safety / autonomy tech really good. The indicator is particularly useful at night when looking into the blind-spot isn't always reliable because car headlights can sometimes be hidden from view.
jgalt212 7y ago
I think the best solution is Ford's blind spot mirror. Use your own eyes and look where you're used to looking. https://thefutureofthings.com/5963-ford-blind-spot-mirror/ https://thefutureofthings.com/5963-ford-blind-spot-mirror/
- jcrawfordor 7y ago
  I drive a Ford with those blindspot mirrors and they may be the best feature on the car. I'm baffled as to why integrated blind spot mirrors haven't become standard.
- neuralRiot 7y ago
  Better yet, learn to drive on a motorcycle, looking over your shoulder becomes a natural reflex.
stronglikedan 7y ago
> Every other car with lane assist has a warning light in the corresponding side view mirror. Well, maybe every other car except for Acuras, but who's counting.

yitchelle 7y ago

Totally agree with you. The usage of smartphone style UI for central console or even the instrument cluster itself are a really dangerous practice. The driver should be able to reach out with one hand and made the change immediately, not swiping to the correct context a few times before making the change. /rant off.

tomp 7y ago

Personally, I think the side-view-mirror-warning-lights are a nuisance, every time I've driven in a car that has them I wanted to turn them off. The rate of false positives is high, and because they flash at the edge of your viewing field, they divert your attention from the road...

mhb 7y ago
I don't know what car you drove, but, as a counter-factual, the Subaru ones are great. I've never had a false positive or negative and don't find them distracting. I'm also impressed with how well the rest of their safety tech works - lane changing warning, back up obstacles, etc.
- jclardy 7y ago
  Agreed, but with my Mazda. Maybe it is an older model? Mine is 2015. The only annoyance I have with it is if you are in a double left turn lane and actually use your signals. It'll beep at you since it detects a car and doesn't know you are turning vs changing lanes.
  - gh123man 7y ago
    My 2017 Miata does this exactly. So I guess it's not fixed.
  - stefan_ 7y ago
    Double left turn lane? That is a very wise warning. People do not know how to turn.
- ummonk 7y ago
  Yeah, have a Subaru and find the safety / autonomy tech really good. The indicator is particularly useful at night when looking into the blind-spot isn't always reliable because car headlights can sometimes be hidden from view.

jgalt212 7y ago

I think the best solution is Ford's blind spot mirror. Use your own eyes and look where you're used to looking. https://thefutureofthings.com/5963-ford-blind-spot-mirror/ https://thefutureofthings.com/5963-ford-blind-spot-mirror/

jcrawfordor 7y ago
I drive a Ford with those blindspot mirrors and they may be the best feature on the car. I'm baffled as to why integrated blind spot mirrors haven't become standard.
neuralRiot 7y ago
Better yet, learn to drive on a motorcycle, looking over your shoulder becomes a natural reflex.

stronglikedan 7y ago

> Every other car with lane assist has a warning light in the corresponding side view mirror. Well, maybe every other car except for Acuras, but who's counting.