Byton unveils futuristic ‘smart’ car(bbc.co.uk)
bbc.co.uk
Byton unveils futuristic ‘smart’ car
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42599345
24 comments
Agreed, and that's why I like my car's jog dial controller for the media system. I can operate it without looking at all, whereas I have to look at my mom's touchscreen to change the radio station, which is something you don't want to have to do while driving.
I'd solve that by not having that large main display enabled at all when the car is moving, or at least not having hard to reach areas or gestures enabled other than from the passenger seat.
Voice control is often even worse. If something makes me have an accident it's probably when I say "call charlie" and the thing says "Calling crazy ex girlfriend" (without confirmation). That happens.
Voice control is often even worse. If something makes me have an accident it's probably when I say "call charlie" and the thing says "Calling crazy ex girlfriend" (without confirmation). That happens.
Its worth reading this review of the Tesla Model 3 http://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/17280/tesla-model-3-the-fir... which highlights issues with the cruise control in the Model 3 compared to the Model S as it was changed from a stalk to being part of the screen.
Sometimes things need to be actual switches as you don't have time to use anything else...
Sometimes things need to be actual switches as you don't have time to use anything else...
how is this any different from the giant ipad in tesla models?
I do believe that one is critical as well, and I'd really like to see some UX videos of drivers using that thing. Ideally with eye tracking.
Do you ever change the radio while driving? It's about the same level of involvement. I haven't found it to be a huge issue in the ~2 years I've been using it.
The giant iPad in Teslas is stupid as well, but at least it isn't directly in front of the driver's face - begging to become a distraction.
On another note, I find it's useful to mentally replace the term "smart" with "surveillance" to figure out the true purpose of these things.
On another note, I find it's useful to mentally replace the term "smart" with "surveillance" to figure out the true purpose of these things.
>> In front of us is a huge display that stretches out across almost the entire dashboard.
One thing all these tech people keep forgetting is that the driver is supposed to look out the window. I like to use flying as an analogy. Legally you only need 3 instruments to fly a plane in VRF conditions, you're eyes are supposed to be looking out the window. I think the same is true of cars - you primarily need a speedometer and gas gauge. Everything else is optional and distracting. This idea of an expansive touchscreen spanning the whole dashboard seems absurd. It looks cool, but what's it for?
One thing all these tech people keep forgetting is that the driver is supposed to look out the window. I like to use flying as an analogy. Legally you only need 3 instruments to fly a plane in VRF conditions, you're eyes are supposed to be looking out the window. I think the same is true of cars - you primarily need a speedometer and gas gauge. Everything else is optional and distracting. This idea of an expansive touchscreen spanning the whole dashboard seems absurd. It looks cool, but what's it for?
typo : VRF -> VFR
Two items for me.
first, how do they deal with the steering wheel air bag? Which way does the screen flip if it does at all? What are EU requirements for air bags?
second, i have seen this before where a company implies that Tesla or anyone else needs to open up their stations. I am still waiting for the first city, state, or country, to declare such and just force the issue. That we cannot seem to get everyone on board for the same plug this will have to be resolved within the next few years one way or another.
first, how do they deal with the steering wheel air bag? Which way does the screen flip if it does at all? What are EU requirements for air bags?
second, i have seen this before where a company implies that Tesla or anyone else needs to open up their stations. I am still waiting for the first city, state, or country, to declare such and just force the issue. That we cannot seem to get everyone on board for the same plug this will have to be resolved within the next few years one way or another.
It continues to blow me away that every single electric car outside of Tesla is built to look "cool" or "futuristic" instead of simply looking like a good car. I suspect that a lot of Tesla's success is that their cars look "normal."
This looks like a slightly fashion forward 2018 vehicle IMO. I would call it an upscale Honda HRV with design cues from the Tesla 3 and Chrysler Pacifica.
"Fearing the car may be spotted and shared on social media, the company insisted on an indoor drive"
...and let's BBC film and publish a report on the car. Doesn't add up, what's the real reason to not driving outside?
...and let's BBC film and publish a report on the car. Doesn't add up, what's the real reason to not driving outside?
The walled garden charging network looks like it may be a problem in the future, why hasn't an independent entrepreneur started setting these up and charging money for them? Why haven't gas stations caught on to provide 1-2 charging stations?
Consider the usage of a typical gas station parking space. People park, go buy their snacks, cigarettes, groceries, etc., and are gone in 3-6 minutes. Usually the spots are used by people who are not buying gas. Those people leave their car parked at the pump while they shop.
Now you want to dedicate one or two of those parking spaces to charge a car that will be there for 30-60 minutes.
The only way that will be profitable is if the fee to charge your car is at least 10x the average amount a customer spends. Otherwise, what happens is the parking spots fill up and prospective customers go elsewhere and offering car charging actually causes the station to lose money.
OTOH, restaurants offering charging spots could be a moneymaker because now there's a reason to keep customers there longer, and longer stays will generally mean they buy more.
Now you want to dedicate one or two of those parking spaces to charge a car that will be there for 30-60 minutes.
The only way that will be profitable is if the fee to charge your car is at least 10x the average amount a customer spends. Otherwise, what happens is the parking spots fill up and prospective customers go elsewhere and offering car charging actually causes the station to lose money.
OTOH, restaurants offering charging spots could be a moneymaker because now there's a reason to keep customers there longer, and longer stays will generally mean they buy more.
At least out west I notice a lot of the gas stations on major interstates have plenty of extra room on the peripheries of their lot that could be turned into charging parking spaces. This is where I see the majority of drivers charging their vehicles on a long trip. Once you drive into the city these lots become a lot smaller and are designed for exactly what you described which makes charging more difficult.
> Why haven't gas stations caught on to provide 1-2 charging stations?
Being a commodity intermediary does not really put them in a position where they can be generous with uncertain investments.
Being a commodity intermediary does not really put them in a position where they can be generous with uncertain investments.
I didn't say it should be free. But they have one of the best assets.. location and space.
Ahh yes, a massive touch screen right in front of someone operating a multi-ton vehicle at high speeds. What could possibly go wrong?
So smart.
So smart.
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Reminds me of that iPad+Velcro fanmade-commercial (where the guy sticks velcro on the steering wheel).
[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ZYWtcGeTY
[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ZYWtcGeTY
[1] http://www.sueddeutsche.de/auto/strassenverkehr-tod-durch-ti... (in Geman)