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The failure mode is pretty horrible though. And I'm not only thinking about damaged camera. Humidity, weather etc. often makes these cameras completely useless

by tjoff 3y ago

The failure mode is pretty horrible though. And I'm not only thinking about damaged camera. Humidity, weather etc. often makes these cameras completely useless. You'd have to have wipers for your camera-lens and probably heating or something as well to even approach the utility of a window - short term. Because none of that is ever going to fail, and it isn't cheap either.

varjag 3y ago
Lens washdown is rather common now on vehicles.
SideburnsOfDoom 3y ago
I don't think that I said that the Polestar 4's lack of rear windows is a slam-dunk sure-fire hit. Rather just that we can appreciate the attempt to side-step the issues with rear-window visibility with a very different design. It is IMHO a bold move, which will attract fans and haters. Neither of us know for sure how it will play out; if the potential issues outweigh the rest. The implementation details clearly matter. In a couple of years we will see if it's a genius innovation, a terrible misstep or somewhere in-between. Until the vehicle ships and is on the road for some time in some volume, we won't know for sure.
- tjoff 3y ago
  While I agree I kind of think this should be nailed down before such a departure. After all, on a high-end vehicle a back-camera that hasn't sorted this is just a gimmick. Maybe they have, all my experiences indicate otherwise though I don't have much experience with new expensive cars.
devit 3y ago
Trucks drive just fine with no rear view at all other than side mirrors, so cars can do that as well.
- oblio 3y ago
  Truck drivers are pros, though, while we're just annoying traffic jam fodder.
  - tharkun__ 3y ago
    They can't see what they can't see. Being a pro makes no difference. Reminds me of the 18 wheeler at the traffic light. He got red while waiting for his left turn and decided to back up instead of "going for it" once oncoming traffic had seized. The minivan behind him got crushed like it was made of sticks. Luckily he heard the noise after a while and stopped backing up. Not a pretty sight. I had the side view so I was like "WTF is he doing?" when he started backing up. Well he couldn't the minivan who had snuck up behind him. Lesson: when behind a truck make sure you can see the drivers face through his mirrors. Then you have a chance that he is going to see you. If you can't see his face, assume that he can't see you. Move away.
- xmcqdpt2 3y ago
  On the highway, sure. But generally whenever I see a truck back up in the city, there will be someone outside directing the driver. You don't see lots of truck parking in parallel unassisted on streets with pedestrians and cyclists, but I do this all the time.
  - nottorp 3y ago
    Hmm? They specifically taught me in driving school how to parallel park using just the side mirrors.

by tjoff 3y ago

varjag 3y ago

Lens washdown is rather common now on vehicles.

SideburnsOfDoom 3y ago

I don't think that I said that the Polestar 4's lack of rear windows is a slam-dunk sure-fire hit. Rather just that we can appreciate the attempt to side-step the issues with rear-window visibility with a very different design. It is IMHO a bold move, which will attract fans and haters. Neither of us know for sure how it will play out; if the potential issues outweigh the rest. The implementation details clearly matter. In a couple of years we will see if it's a genius innovation, a terrible misstep or somewhere in-between. Until the vehicle ships and is on the road for some time in some volume, we won't know for sure.

tjoff 3y ago
While I agree I kind of think this should be nailed down before such a departure. After all, on a high-end vehicle a back-camera that hasn't sorted this is just a gimmick. Maybe they have, all my experiences indicate otherwise though I don't have much experience with new expensive cars.

devit 3y ago

Trucks drive just fine with no rear view at all other than side mirrors, so cars can do that as well.

oblio 3y ago
Truck drivers are pros, though, while we're just annoying traffic jam fodder.
- tharkun__ 3y ago
  They can't see what they can't see. Being a pro makes no difference. Reminds me of the 18 wheeler at the traffic light. He got red while waiting for his left turn and decided to back up instead of "going for it" once oncoming traffic had seized. The minivan behind him got crushed like it was made of sticks. Luckily he heard the noise after a while and stopped backing up. Not a pretty sight. I had the side view so I was like "WTF is he doing?" when he started backing up. Well he couldn't the minivan who had snuck up behind him. Lesson: when behind a truck make sure you can see the drivers face through his mirrors. Then you have a chance that he is going to see you. If you can't see his face, assume that he can't see you. Move away.
xmcqdpt2 3y ago
On the highway, sure. But generally whenever I see a truck back up in the city, there will be someone outside directing the driver. You don't see lots of truck parking in parallel unassisted on streets with pedestrians and cyclists, but I do this all the time.
- nottorp 3y ago
  Hmm? They specifically taught me in driving school how to parallel park using just the side mirrors.