James May's Cars of the People

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Discussion

The Don of Croy

5,998 posts

159 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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When JM is driving and explaining to camera there is something very reminiscent of Chris Goffey about him, to my mind (and it's not just the abundance of hair).

Great programme - only wish he'd also had a look at steering systems and why we've stayed true to the massive wheel planted front and centre (and not a joystick).

Scuffers

20,887 posts

274 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
The Don of Croy said:
When JM is driving and explaining to camera there is something very reminiscent of Chris Goffey about him, to my mind (and it's not just the abundance of hair).

Great programme - only wish he'd also had a look at steering systems and why we've stayed true to the massive wheel planted front and centre (and not a joystick).
some have tried joystick, but it's really hard to be precise.

you may not realise it, but you use the steering wheel to brace yourself with in hard cornering, try that with a joystick and see what happens. (and before you mention airplanes, they don't actually have much in the way of lateral G to deal with, vast majority is vertical and longitudinal).



The Don of Croy

5,998 posts

159 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
Scuffers said:
some have tried joystick, but it's really hard to be precise.

you may not realise it, but you use the steering wheel to brace yourself with in hard cornering, try that with a joystick and see what happens. (and before you mention airplanes, they don't actually have much in the way of lateral G to deal with, vast majority is vertical and longitudinal).
In which case we should be investing our time in perfecting skid-steer systems. Preferably sterling engine powered.

Scuffers

20,887 posts

274 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
The Don of Croy said:
In which case we should be investing our time in perfecting skid-steer systems. Preferably sterling engine powered.
Why?

What's wrong with a steering wheel?

How do you propose to get feedback/steering feel wiout a wheel?

epom

11,515 posts

161 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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Thoroughly enjoyed this too I have to say.

Simes205

4,539 posts

228 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
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RemyMartin said:
AnotherClarkey said:
Blimey, even a touch of Steve Reich on the soundtrack. Classy.
And 'chase' the theme from midnight express. I massively approved of that nugget!
'Different trains' it is called!

Faust66

2,035 posts

165 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Scuffers said:
The Don of Croy said:
When JM is driving and explaining to camera there is something very reminiscent of Chris Goffey about him, to my mind (and it's not just the abundance of hair).

Great programme - only wish he'd also had a look at steering systems and why we've stayed true to the massive wheel planted front and centre (and not a joystick).
some have tried joystick, but it's really hard to be precise.

you may not realise it, but you use the steering wheel to brace yourself with in hard cornering, try that with a joystick and see what happens. (and before you mention airplanes, they don't actually have much in the way of lateral G to deal with, vast majority is vertical and longitudinal).
Saab tried the joystick system out IIRC… think there used to be footage of the tests on Youtube. I seem to recall that the general consensus was to not re-invent the wheel (pun intended).

Consider computer games (don't play them myself so I have limited knowledge): don't people buy steering wheels to enable them to play driving games? You could argue, I suppose, that this is to re-create an 'authentic' driving experience during the game, or could it be that pressing buttons/using a joystick to control a car is just not very intuitive? And if there is a lack of intuitiveness and feedback on a TV screen, what would it be like in real life?

Anyway, excellent programme from James May. I rate the guy as presenter for this sort of show as his knowledge and passion for cars really comes across well

kdri155

643 posts

151 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
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Mercedes built a joystick controlled vehicle to test the idea;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQuwi88pZDQ

RemyMartin

6,759 posts

205 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
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Simes205 said:
RemyMartin said:
AnotherClarkey said:
Blimey, even a touch of Steve Reich on the soundtrack. Classy.
And 'chase' the theme from midnight express. I massively approved of that nugget!
'Different trains' it is called!
According to whom?

BTW happy to be educated but I always thought the song was called 'chase' by Giorgio Moroder.

RemyMartin

6,759 posts

205 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
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After a quick Google its clear we are talking about different songs!

The Don of Croy

5,998 posts

159 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Faust66 said:
Scuffers said:
The Don of Croy said:
When JM is driving and explaining to camera there is something very reminiscent of Chris Goffey about him, to my mind (and it's not just the abundance of hair).

Great programme - only wish he'd also had a look at steering systems and why we've stayed true to the massive wheel planted front and centre (and not a joystick).
some have tried joystick, but it's really hard to be precise.

you may not realise it, but you use the steering wheel to brace yourself with in hard cornering, try that with a joystick and see what happens. (and before you mention airplanes, they don't actually have much in the way of lateral G to deal with, vast majority is vertical and longitudinal).
Saab tried the joystick system out IIRC… think there used to be footage of the tests on Youtube. I seem to recall that the general consensus was to not re-invent the wheel (pun intended)...
I was thinking of the Volvo developments in the past...now we are moving - gradually - to autobot cars I'm expecting that big wheel thing to evolve into an 'emergency' aid type device fitted discreetly out-the-way.

Does anyone know if this series will continue?

DippedHeadlights

419 posts

204 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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"Does anyone know if this series will continue?"

Sadly not, James's Amazon contract apparently stops him making a series 3 of Cars of the People.

Also it was put together mostly by the old Top Gear production team and they have all gone in different directions since "Fracasgate".

For background about how the Top Gear team worked the Richard Porter book "And on that bombshell" is excellent, its a great listen as an audio book for the car.

Halb

53,012 posts

183 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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That's disappointing.
I don't see the new show being a patch on this.

marcosgt

11,021 posts

176 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Halb said:
That's disappointing.
Indeed, James May has become (maybe always was!) much more watchable than Clarkson these days and Hamster's only really good on Total Wipeout! biggrin

M.