Merits of Merc's active cruise control?
Discussion
All the new gadgets on the new merc's got me thinking. With all the driver aids that these cars offer, is there a danger of lulling the driver to sleep, metaphorically speaking.
Another concern is with the cruise control. One of the TV shows tested this and they illustrated how it maintains a distance of 150feet(?) by braking and maintaining that distance behind the vehicle in front. Now what if the driver was actually squeezing into a tighter gap in traffic, with cars closely behind him. Do you see the danger I'm thinking of? And are there any other dangers with all these devices taking control away from the driver?
>>> Edited by Getrag on Tuesday 3rd December 14:03
Another concern is with the cruise control. One of the TV shows tested this and they illustrated how it maintains a distance of 150feet(?) by braking and maintaining that distance behind the vehicle in front. Now what if the driver was actually squeezing into a tighter gap in traffic, with cars closely behind him. Do you see the danger I'm thinking of? And are there any other dangers with all these devices taking control away from the driver?
>>> Edited by Getrag on Tuesday 3rd December 14:03
Jaguar offers a similar active cruise control system as an option (see my recent XKR road test).
Squeezing into gaps smaller than the one set shouldn't be a problem so long as it's still a decent sized gap and not one that puts you six inches behind the car in front. All that happens is that the car detects the gap is reduced and applies the brakes relatively gently until the gap's opened up.
Don't know if it would resort to emergency stop tactics if the car in front did (and never felt inclined to find out) but then the system isn't designed to take resposibility away from the driver.
Or control either, as the system is over-ridden the moment you press either the accelerator or brake pedal.
Squeezing into gaps smaller than the one set shouldn't be a problem so long as it's still a decent sized gap and not one that puts you six inches behind the car in front. All that happens is that the car detects the gap is reduced and applies the brakes relatively gently until the gap's opened up.
Don't know if it would resort to emergency stop tactics if the car in front did (and never felt inclined to find out) but then the system isn't designed to take resposibility away from the driver.
Or control either, as the system is over-ridden the moment you press either the accelerator or brake pedal.
The Jag ACC system preceeded the Marc option by some time. As with all these systems the undergo rigourous testing by people who deliberately try to break them and make things go wrong.
I can't speak about the Merc system, as I have not expereinced it first hand, however the Jag ACC is a different matter.
If you "squeeze" into a gap, with the ACC on, the car WILL begin to brake, but it won't jam on the brakes and go for a full emergency stop (unless the car in front does). Generally speaking these system use the brakes better and more smoothly than any person could.
They are a bit odd at first, but you do get used to them. As for driver aids, and some of the more fanciful telematics sytems that are appearing, there are hundreds of studies being done looking into driver cognitive load (both too little and too much). Sepcialist journals and publications are the best bet for this.. or if you have insomnia.
I can't speak about the Merc system, as I have not expereinced it first hand, however the Jag ACC is a different matter.
If you "squeeze" into a gap, with the ACC on, the car WILL begin to brake, but it won't jam on the brakes and go for a full emergency stop (unless the car in front does). Generally speaking these system use the brakes better and more smoothly than any person could.
They are a bit odd at first, but you do get used to them. As for driver aids, and some of the more fanciful telematics sytems that are appearing, there are hundreds of studies being done looking into driver cognitive load (both too little and too much). Sepcialist journals and publications are the best bet for this.. or if you have insomnia.
this sounds interesting.. I wonder how the 'minimum safe cognitive load' for a PHer would compare to the average for the general public overall.. I expect it'd be somewhat higher for a PHer - ie a bright spark who enjoys driving and needs mental & physiological stimulation.
Podie said: As for driver aids, and some of the more fanciful telematics sytems that are appearing, there are hundreds of studies being done looking into driver cognitive load (both too little and too much). Sepcialist journals and publications are the best bet for this.. or if you have insomnia.
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Tuesday 3rd December 15:13
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