BMW's at it again!

[Monster Dave]

Check this out,

It look like those amazing Germans over at BMW are working on technology to help significantly reduce the number of accidents caused by vehicles turning left in front of motorcycles and other cars by integrating a new "left hand drive assistant" into the on-board computer system.

When the "left hand drive assistant" detects that the driver intends to turn left, three laser scanners in the front end of the car kick in to map the area up to 100 meters (328 ft) ahead. If the system detects oncoming vehicles and the driver continues to move into the intersection, it will sound a warning and automatically activate the brakes to prevent a collision.

Once the system is activated (by hitting the turn signal), the three laser scanners in the vehicle's front end scan the area to detect oncoming cars, trucks and motorcycles. If any approaching vehicles are detected and the driver continues to move into the intersection the system will apply the brakes, sound a warning and display a warning in the instrument cluster and head-up display.

BMW will premiere the left turn assistant at the INTERSAFE 2 Final Event today and tomorrow at a closed-off intersection in Wolfsburg, Germany.

[thought]

i am a firm believer in technology making people do less stupid things... too bad that this kind of tech rarely trickles down to the lower end car market.

[ducatiz]

The type of person likely to cause this kind of accident is also least likely to use their turn indicator.  If they did, it would tip the biker off and he/she would be on alert.

[Artful]

I'm all for this right up until it automatically applies the brakes. Too many what ifs to have the car prevent me from going. What if the option is shoot across the intersection (assuming you have a split second of time to do so safely) or get plowed over by a semi coming up behind me? What if someone is on a bicycle crossing the other side of the street or a pedestrian and it slams the brakes while I'm trying to make my left and I get rear-ended?

Neat idea, take the braking part out of it. I'm all for a good loud klaxon by your ear though.

[ducatiz]

I'm all for this right up until it automatically applies the brakes. Too many what ifs to have the car prevent me from going. What if the option is shoot across the intersection (assuming you have a split second of time to do so safely) or get plowed over by a semi coming up behind me? What if someone is on a bicycle crossing the other side of the street or a pedestrian and it slams the brakes while I'm trying to make my left and I get rear-ended?

Neat idea, take the braking part out of it. I'm all for a good loud klaxon by your ear though saying ASSHOLE! ASSHOLE!  DON'T TURN NOW!

fixed

[pennyrobber]

This is right up there with Merc's "Lane departure warning system".

So you're too irresponsible to know when you shouldn't be driving due to fatigue. Don't worry, go ahead and nod off and your Mercedes will handle the rest.

I see more harm than good coming from these systems.

[Triple J]

Neat idea, take the braking part out of it. I'm all for a good loud klaxon by your ear though.

+1

[ducatiz]

Basically, society started going to hell when they invented the TV remote.  Once you didn't even have to get off your fat, sweat ass to change the channel, the desire for lack of action and lack of responsibility became a pursuit.  In fact, those have become status symbols.  Look at all the celebrities who get busted for cocaine or drunk driving and then never serve a day in jail -- if it was you or me, pow, right in the federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison.  No responsibility = status.

Cars are no different and some have said it was when they came out with headlights that turn off for you.  Idiots could be found just by seeing who had a dead battery at the end of the work day, but now, any tool can leave his or her lights on and they politely turn off for them.  They don't even have to pause from talking on the phone or texting or putting on mascara.  Blick-- off.

But I say it was the TV remote that did it.

[Monster Dave]

I think there's still some room for seeing how the tech works.

IMHO: The braking wouldn't seem like a bad idea if you were the one saved because a car had it.

I agree - how many people don't and would ultimately stop using their turn signals know this could happen...

If you have to rush to race to get through an intersection, isn't that technically unsafe driving anyway. FWIW, what I read also said that to prevent it from happening at high speeds, the system wouldn't function unless you were going less than 6mph. I also read that the system could be disengaged by depressing the brake pedal 2x if it happened inadvertently at a time when you did need to drive and not stop.

And it really is a shame that this sort of tech (like HUDs) don't tricle down to vehicles for the masses.

[DucatiTorrey]

The type of person likely to cause this kind of accident is also least likely to use their turn indicator.  If they did, it would tip the biker off and he/she would be on alert.

yep. i was going to post the exact same thing.

[Scissors]

I'm all for this right up until it automatically applies the brakes. Too many what ifs to have the car prevent me from going. What if the option is shoot across the intersection (assuming you have a split second of time to do so safely) or get plowed over by a semi coming up behind me? What if someone is on a bicycle crossing the other side of the street or a pedestrian and it slams the brakes while I'm trying to make my left and I get rear-ended?

Neat idea, take the braking part out of it. I'm all for a good loud klaxon by your ear though.

Simple solution:  turn off your turn signal.

[Monster Dave]

^

Which renders the entire endeavor to develop this technology a total waste of time and $$.

[akmnstr]

And it really is a shame that this sort of tech (like HUDs) don't tricle down to vehicles for the masses.

Now this simply is not true.  My budget cars have anti-lock brakes and airbags.  Both formerly available on high end cars.  It takes a short while and it will trickle down. 

And my TV has a remote control!!!  I like it.  My remote gives me power.  I am king at my house because I have all the remotes!!!!

[ducatiz]

^

Which renders the entire endeavor to develop this technology a total waste of time and $$.

which means no matter what, the technology is a waste of time.

better, they should develop something that does the same kind of scanning when the wheel is turned. 

[Monster Dave]

which means no matter what, the technology is a waste of time.

better, they should develop something that does the same kind of scanning when the wheel is turned. 

Yep.