Embarrassment for Daimler-Chrysler
Discussion
I've just watched a stunning piece of television here in Germany. The current affairs show, Stern TV, have just shown a demonstration by Mercedes of how well the crash avoidance option on the S-Class functions in fog. The demo took place in a crash test facility, with a journalist from Auto Bild driving the car through artificial "fog". The radar sends a warning signal to the driver when it detects a crash situation ahead and the driver hits the brakes and with the help of "brake assist" the car stops before hitting the stationary obstruction.
Or rather, it doesn't.
While the camera crew continued to record, we watch as several times the mercedes crashes into the back of the stationary cars and the team discuss what went wrong. The crew then film the plank of wood co-incidently positioned on the road just before where the car begins to brake...... There is no audible warning beep to be heard on the in-car recording. This is stunning to watch.
A Mercedes spokesman comes into the tv studio and squirms as he is questioned about why they faked the test. He appologises, says it was a problem caused by the artificial surroundings of the test hall and that in real situations it has been proved to work. It may well be true, but this looks massively embarrasing for Daimler-Chrysler.
Auto-Bild were invited to appear on the programme, but were sadly unable to attend............
Or rather, it doesn't.
While the camera crew continued to record, we watch as several times the mercedes crashes into the back of the stationary cars and the team discuss what went wrong. The crew then film the plank of wood co-incidently positioned on the road just before where the car begins to brake...... There is no audible warning beep to be heard on the in-car recording. This is stunning to watch.
A Mercedes spokesman comes into the tv studio and squirms as he is questioned about why they faked the test. He appologises, says it was a problem caused by the artificial surroundings of the test hall and that in real situations it has been proved to work. It may well be true, but this looks massively embarrasing for Daimler-Chrysler.
Auto-Bild were invited to appear on the programme, but were sadly unable to attend............
Didn't Fifth Gear drive this car the other week? Jason Plato (or whoever) tested the collision avoidance system by pulling into the inside lane at speed, with a car in that lane. It clearly wasn't braking hard enough and the driver had to take over to avoid a collision. Maybe it's the "Darwinian Evolution" system activation button.
Mike
Mike
Let’s hope Mercedes can redeem themselves in a series of road tests with many different cars, it’s possible there was a problem with that one car and they deserve the benefit of the doubt. When does the car go on sale? Do they have time to do a quick patch up before release or will this mean an immediate recall. Bloody lazy by Mercedes not to test the system thoroughly under all conditions, if it doesn’t work in a TV studio how will it cope with real world like in tunnels, crowded streets and with motorcycles? No problem with drivers relying on technology but it should be thoroughly tested first.
Incidentally does the HUD give you a reading of the following distance and object speed or relative speed?
Incidentally does the HUD give you a reading of the following distance and object speed or relative speed?
speedy_thrills said:
No problem with drivers relying on technology but it should be thoroughly tested first.
No, there's EVERY problem with drivers relying just on technology.
The more electronic gadgets there are that takes away the input from the driver the more accidents we'll end up having on the roads, especially in the US, where for some reason certain peoplealready seem to believe that cruise control allows you to take your hands off the wheel and do something else while the car supposedly 'drives itself'...
The state of driving, in this country alone, is going further and further downhill. If people start to rely on a computer to drag them out of the shit all the time they'll be bedlam. Computers and electronics have problems and glitches, you'll never be certain that when it comes to that situation that its actually going to work.
Imagine all the people who will start to get in their cars, switch on all the electronic gizmo's and then just switch off their brain as they commute into work. Shocking scenario.
racefan_uk said:
[Imagine all the people who will start to get in their cars, switch on all the electronic gizmo's and then just switch off their brain as they commute into work. Shocking scenario.
Judging by the standards of driving I saw last in GB it's already happening!!! 'kin numpties!!!
With all the cash invested in these systems and the potentials for big payouts if it goes wrong maybe DC should think about giving away a fully trained chauffeur free with every car they sell. At least it would probably be cheaper and it will keep those who can't drive without endless saftey systems off the road.
FourWheelDrift said:
With all the cash invested in these systems and the potentials for big payouts if it goes wrong maybe DC should think about giving away a fully trained chauffeur free with every car they sell. At least it would probably be cheaper and it will keep those who can't drive without endless saftey systems off the road.
You'd think S Class drivers could afford that anyway
You only need to think back to Audi's 'accelerating out of control' in the US too see what sort of damage even illusionary problems can do.
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