Do You Want Your Scout To Have A Hands-Free Driving System?

[eddiet1212]

Do You Want Your Scout To Have A Hands-Free Driving System?

I do NOT want my Scout to drive itself.

Part of owning a hands-on vehicle would be the satisfaction of tactile power over your destiny while enjoying the ride.

If I wanted a robo-car then I could buy a future Rivian.

Reuters
Rivian to launch hands-free driving system in 2025, 'eyes-off' in 2026

Rivian to launch hands-free driving system in 2025, 'eyes-off' in 2026, CEO says

(Reuters) -Electric-vehicle maker Rivian plans to launch its advanced hands-free driver assistance systems in 2025 and its "eyes-off" systems in 2026, CEO RJ Scaringe said on Thursday. An advanced driver assistance system that enables drivers to take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the...

ca.finance.yahoo.com

 

[cyure]

I will agree that in time that may be true but I think that future is further away than you think. EV all started without buttons because they thought it was what people wanted, now many, after seeing Scout are going back to buttons. There are still A LOT of people who enjoy driving. They also enjoy off roading and neither can be satisfied with FSD. Would they eventually offer it as an option you can pay for-sure, but again, I don’t think it’s as close as you think and since nobody has figured out the safety aspects yet-logical people aren’t going to rush in. Perhaps on the west coast or 95 corridor where people commute an hour both ways - they will adopt it but for a large population who drives less than 20 miles round trip and only does a long haul a couple times a year I just don’t see the rush. I think it’s still a risky option for early adopting tech fans. But perhaps that’s just me

For me, it’s not something that is important at all, especially being WFH. Driving around town I would never use it. When I go on a longer trip I want to drive my car. Heck I don’t even like being a passenger when someone else is driving. Yes I would like some of the features I don’t have now, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, a nice backup camera. Beyond that, no thanks.

 

[R1TVT]

This is a really interesting take, and one I have not heard yet in the self driving discussion. I do understand what you're saying and I agree to a point. However, in my use I commute daily with access to a paid access lane and as soon as I can get into it I'm engaging my self drive in my Rivian and I just ride the rest of the way not having to worry about the stop and go traffic or anything.

Interestingly though, its on those two lane back roads that I do not use it, (even though Rivian has lane centering now everywhere) because those are the roads that are enjoyable to drive as opposed to open multi-lane highways IMO. Now with that being said, I will say that Rivian's lane centering on the back roads is ok but it's not great. It will handle the straight stuff easily but it slows down way too much on curves and accelerates slowly out of them. Which is another reason why I choose to drive on the back roads.

But I also agree with your list, but would like to add cameras are a must nowadays and blind spot cameras that turn on while signaling have become a must have for me.

This is also how I typically use the Driver+ system in my Rivian.

I almost feel like the Driver+ system is intentionally conservative, it behaves like my sister in law driving. Everything is a potential danger. Driver + is probably providing "safer" operation of my truck when I use it (if I am being honest), than when I don't. It slows down before I would, it leaves more space than I would, it is always paying attention (more than I would). I mostly use it on long, boring HW runs, and I am definitely not as tired after using it. It is actually quite relaxing to drive with it on when running for multiple hours just to get to a destination. And on the backrooads - YES I love driving a little more "spririted".

Much of the tech, HW, and required interface for LII or LII+ is already built for BASIC safety, so overlaying LII driving is no longer as hard. Things like Emergency breaking, back up cameras, remote monitoring, etc are all going to be standard. The audience buying this truck is going to expect all of it. If LII+ is not available, Scout will be missing out on the majority of the market - and this is just another reason why they are deploying it.

Lastly, some of the same HW will also be leveraged in off-road situations. Its sorta tablestakes at this stage.

 

[LastDayScout]

This is also how I typically use the Driver+ system in my Rivian.

I almost feel like the Driver+ system is intentionally conservative, it behaves like my sister in law driving. Everything is a potential danger. Driver + is probably providing "safer" operation of my truck when I use it (if I am being honest), than when I don't. It slows down before I would, it leaves more space than I would, it is always paying attention (more than I would). I mostly use it on long, boring HW runs, and I am definitely not as tired after using it. It is actually quite relaxing to drive with it on when running for multiple hours just to get to a destination. And on the backrooads - YES I love driving a little more "spririted".

Much of the tech, HW, and required interface for LII or LII+ is already built for BASIC safety, so overlaying LII driving is no longer as hard. Things like Emergency breaking, back up cameras, remote monitoring, etc are all going to be standard. The audience buying this truck is going to expect all of it. If LII+ is not available, Scout will be missing out on the majority of the market - and this is just another reason why they are deploying it.

Lastly, some of the same HW will also be leveraged in off-road situations. Its sorta tablestakes at this stage.

Excactly how I use it in the iX.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

This is a really interesting take, and one I have not heard yet in the self driving discussion. I do understand what you're saying and I agree to a point. However, in my use I commute daily with access to a paid access lane and as soon as I can get into it I'm engaging my self drive in my Rivian and I just ride the rest of the way not having to worry about the stop and go traffic or anything.

Interestingly though, its on those two lane back roads that I do not use it, (even though Rivian has lane centering now everywhere) because those are the roads that are enjoyable to drive as opposed to open multi-lane highways IMO. Now with that being said, I will say that Rivian's lane centering on the back roads is ok but it's not great. It will handle the straight stuff easily but it slows down way too much on curves and accelerates slowly out of them. Which is another reason why I choose to drive on the back roads.

But I also agree with your list, but would like to add cameras are a must nowadays and blind spot cameras that turn on while signaling have become a must have for me.

The problem with blind spot cameras is they take your eyes away from your mirrors and the road. The camera is either in the driver display, or center infotainment screen. When I look at my left mirror, I don’t want to take my eyes away from my mirror to a screen, and then back again (all while not looking at the road). The same is true for the right mirror. It’s one more step, and at 70mph or more, that could be the difference from “wow that was close” to “holy shit!”

 

[Scout_Lookout]

The problem with blind spot cameras is they take your eyes away from your mirrors and the road. The camera is either in the driver display, or center infotainment screen. When I look at my left mirror, I don’t want to take my eyes away from my mirror to a screen, and then back again (all while not looking at the road). The same is true for the right mirror. It’s one more step, and at 70mph or more, that could be the difference from “wow that was close” to “holy shit!”

I understand what you're saying and you're not wrong especially as a commercial driver that is the only way to drive. However, I must admit that i have become so use to having blind spot cameras I don't even check my mirrors much if at all anymore when on the highway and changing lanes. This is especially true when on Driver + because as soon as you turn on the turn signal it will check and change the lane for you.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I understand what you're saying and you're not wrong especially as a commercial driver that is the only way to drive. However, I must admit that i have become so use to having blind spot cameras I don't even check my mirrors much if at all anymore when on the highway and changing lanes. This is especially true when on Driver + because as soon as you turn on the turn signal it will check and change the lane for you.

And there lies the problem. People become dependent on “safety features” and quit driving. I love the blind spot monitor in my mirrors, but it doesn’t stop me from doing shoulder checks, especially in heavy traffic (other drivers body language tells you more than a signal light). Adaptive Cruise is great, but you can bet your butt my foot is damn close to the brake peddle.

It’s like Whamo cars (or whatever they are called) in places like Scottsdale, AZ. They sure look cool and fancy, but I’m not getting in one. A computer or safety feature is a great tool, but it can’t replace human instinct or judgement in an emergency situation. A safety feature such as blind spot monitoring or a blind spot camera should be an extra aid in defensive driving, not a replacement.

 

[Scout_Lookout]

And there lies the problem. People become dependent on “safety features” and quit driving. I love the blind spot monitor in my mirrors, but it doesn’t stop me from doing shoulder checks, especially in heavy traffic (other drivers body language tells you more than a signal light). Adaptive Cruise is great, but you can bet your butt my foot is damn close to the brake peddle.

It’s like Whamo cars (or whatever they are called) in places like Scottsdale, AZ. They sure look cool and fancy, but I’m not getting in one. A computer or safety feature is a great tool, but it can’t replace human instinct or judgement in an emergency situation. A safety feature such as blind spot monitoring or a blind spot camera should be an extra aid in defensive driving, not a replacement.

More like here truly lies the problem for SM. They have the seemingly impossible task of satisfying both sides of their buyer spectrum. However, I think we are all confident they will get it right by production. Regarding the Waymo cars we have them here in Atlanta too and they are a joke, hysterical at times to watch even.

But as far as FSD and now Driver + with Rivian is concerned they are both fully capable and in a lot of cases better than a large number of drivers that are out on the roads. FSD will literally do everything for you without any input whatsoever, but Driver + you have turn on your turn signal and if there is a car there it will notify you and not change lanes until its clear and continue to signal until it does. It will also adjust the speed accordingly if needed to merge into the lane or when overtaking, and the best part is it will brake when needed too.

I know there is the vast majority that has or will ever want/use these systems but for those of us who use and enjoy them, we find ourselves not wanting to be without them. A truly to each their own subject.