Some interesting comments on Nanny software in cars in general

[Big Ears]

This will start part way through the video.

 

[Pebblefeline]

Speed warnings and mandatory speed limiters are great

Just my 10 pence

Adjustable dynamic racing suspension not so much

Btw did the steering wheel in the Aston he was sitting in look suspiciously similar to the mg5?

 

[GaryMG4]

Speed warnings and mandatory speed limiters are great

Just my 10 pence

The problem is they need to be fit for purpose. If the car keeps warning you when doing 70mph on a dual carriageway because it thinks the national limit is 60, when it picks up a 30mph limit on a side road or can't read the sign because it hasn't been cleaned or is partially obscured by vegetation. You end up ignoring warnings all the time or worst still have the car change speed in response to erroneous software.

 

[Pebblefeline]

I can agree with that, the version in my pfl mg5 works really well, I turn it off on the motorway normally as it is annoying and I want to use acc.

however manufacturers have been adding this stuff since well before it Was mandated, to sell cars with enhanced safety. My 2017 civic had , it’s just an offshoot of acc.

Likewise my 2006 merc had a speed limiter (not automatic) so I don’t think it’s all about legislation, some is about how can we sell more cars.

We know that lower speed equals more safety but we also know cars are getting faster as standard.
BTW the safety I speak of is that of pedestrians and other road users not the driver.
If we could trust people not to drive like dicks then maybe this wouldn’t be necessary but the small minority ruin it for the rest of us.

My daughter was nearly hit while using a pedestrian crossing with me (on a green man) by a speeding driver who wasn’t paying any attention so I am a little invested emotionally.

 

[GaryMG4]

My daughter was nearly hit while using a pedestrian crossing with me (on a green man) by a speeding driver who wasn’t paying any attention so I am a little invested emotionally.

I can understand that, the problem is I think these 'aids' can lead to drivers applying less attention to their surroundings than normal.

 

[Big Ears]

I have seen comments of some cars having only one pedal, is this a fact? stupid if it is, the boss and I were watching that motorway program where they assist in collisions and break downs, half of them are due to stupidity breaking where there is no need to break, not understanding what the conditions are or how to adjust your driving, the ACC is the only thing that will help there, I said to her they don't teach people to drive anymore only how to pass a test, and I've heard it said that it's the same for schools and universities.

 

[Rolfe]

I think you're probably misunderstanding. What is termed "one pedal driving" refers to the fact that in normal driving conditions you only use one pedal. There's always a brake pedal as well for emergencies.

 

[TonyF]

I have seen comments of some cars having only one pedal, is this a fact? stupid if it is, the boss and I were watching that motorway program where they assist in collisions and break downs, half of them are due to stupidity breaking where there is no need to break, not understanding what the conditions are or how to adjust your driving, the ACC is the only thing that will help there, I said to her they don't teach people to drive anymore only how to pass a test, and I've heard it said that it's the same for schools and universities.

The car still has a normal accelerator and separate brake pedal. One pedal driving means that when you lift your foot completely off the accelerator, the car will slow like it's braking. Full one pedal means it will steadily come to a full stop. For normal driving, I think one pedal is really cool - you anticipate what's coming up and soon learn just when and how much you need to lift off. Of course if needed in an emergency, quicker stop, or for any other reason, you can use the fully normal foot brake.

I've never had it before my MG4, now I use it all the time. Some hate it, but in the MG4 I have to manually switch it on before every drive, so it's only for those who want to use it. That said, different regeneration levels (settable) also slow the car, but not as strongly or to a stop.

 

[Big Ears]

Thanks, It did seem a bit silly.


I'm not sure the MG3 regen is that good, I'd happily turn it off as when I am on a hill or see the lights changing to red I like to coast up to them, but regen slows the car down too much so I have to gas it again so no real saving and as it's self charging I'd rather waste a tiny amount of fuel.

I'm not saying regen is a bad thing, I just think it is very over sensitive in how it operates, I'd prefer if it only came on when I brake, not tried it on 1 yet as I always forget as like a lot of it it's too much of a phaph to keep going into the damned nanny settings.

 

[mikewelsh]

When on the motorway I use ‘no-pedal’ driving. I just set the ACC to say 70mph and then just change lanes as necessary. My MG ZS EV just slows down for moderate or severe congestion. It has gone all the way down to 10mph and then back up to 70mph when the congestion cleared. When the limit drops to 50 for roadworks, I just flick the ACC lever down to the new limit. I once drove for two hours without touching a pedal.

 

[Rolfe]

Yeah, that's what I do too. I used to get terrible cramp in my right shin when driving on the motorway, that's now a thing of the past.

 

[Deleted member 18108]

When on the motorway I use ‘no-pedal’ driving. I just set the ACC to say 70mph and then just change lanes as necessary. My MG ZS EV just slows down for moderate or severe congestion. It has gone all the way down to 10mph and then back up to 70mph when the congestion cleared. When the limit drops to 50 for roadworks, I just flick the ACC lever down to the new limit. I once drove for two hours without touching a pedal.

Just takes a bit of getting used to, but takes the hassle out of it all.

Thanks, It did seem a bit silly.


I'm not sure the MG3 regen is that good, I'd happily turn it off as when I am on a hill or see the lights changing to red I like to coast up to them, but regen slows the car down too much so I have to gas it again so no real saving and as it's self charging I'd rather waste a tiny amount of fuel.

I'm not saying regen is a bad thing, I just think it is very over sensitive in how it operates, I'd prefer if it only came on when I brake, not tried it on 1 yet as I always forget as like a lot of it it's too much of a phaph to keep going into the damned nanny settings.

Kev, if you set up one of the star buttons on the steering wheel, for regen, you can toggle between each level, without even looking. Which is good, because the writing is too small on the screen. The default is on 2, so one press will bring you to three, press again, and you are in the lowest level. Press again and you are back to two. I agree it would be too much hassle to go through the menu, and too distracting.

Regarding the overall topic of ADAS, Some food for thought, the attached study offers a research-based approach to the topic, basically saying that while it is good, it needs to be part of a system, where lanes are marked appropriately and drivers are educated in how to use it. I would argue that the software itself needs to standardised in how it operates across all manufacturers, so that the system works the same way in each vehicle. The LKA in the MG being an example of something that could be improved.

Reference:
Aleksa, M., Schaub, A., Erdelean, I. et al. Impact analysis of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) regarding road safety – computing reduction potentials. Eur. Transp. Res. Rev. 16, 39 (2024). Impact analysis of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) regarding road safety – computing reduction potentials - European Transport Research Review

 

[Deleted member 18108]

I can understand that, the problem is I think these 'aids' can lead to drivers applying less attention to their surroundings than normal.

The following report looks into this in detail. It is a bit heavy in places but compares drivers familiar with the technology in their cars to those unfamiliar with it. The research in this instance found that drivers with experience of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technology were nearly twice as likely to be distracted while driving when ADAS is switched on, compared with when they were driving without help. The drivers with limited experience using ADAS technology were far more attentive.
The best advice that I have heard in relation to many of the ADAS systems, is that you should never experience them kicking in. This advice however is dependent on the effectiveness of the algorithms that the manufacturer has programmed into the system.