Hands Free Highway Driving Upgrade For Gen 1

[Donald Stanfield]

I just completed a round trip between Denver and Truckee in my Gen 2 R1T. While I like the hands free capability I too believe it still needs work. Specifically I find it takes too much pressure on the wheel to take over especially in an emergency. There were a few times when over taking another vehicle they started to swerve into my lane. One case in particular was a vehicle pulling a camper that started to swerve into my lane as I was passing them at 80MPH in Utah. I reacted quickly which almost created an oversteer and scared the heck out of my wife.

I think that had more to do with you panicking than the actual force required to disengage the system. The force required is pretty light.

Sponsored

 

[Hoski]

I think that had more to do with you panicking than the actual force required to disengage the system. The force required is pretty light.

Very possible, but we can also agree to disagree

 

[SactownD]

Very possible, but we can also agree to disagree

I agree with you. When you disengage it does make the car veer in the direction you are pulling. I think decreasing the force required by half would be optimal.

 

[portdirect]

If folks are gonna do things this dumb, please at least make it tasty. Remember that the steering wheel is capacitive, it would be much better to drape ham over it - that way when you want to take over you are just a few delicious bites away from deactivating hands free mode on a gen1. Those in phoenix may even be able to cook bacon this way - yet another time saving advantage of the ‘meat wheel’ approach.

 

[Mellowyellow]

Also the cop would know if if you were doing things this dumb by the smell of the wheel. Obviously you would've eaten the ham by the time he walks up to your ill fated accident happenstance truck.

 

[Eeyore]

The system is just not safe enough to go hands free. It still tries to kill me at least 5x/ride in I80 between Sacramento and Truckee and a similar amount of times to S.F.

Just what did you do to piss off Gary so much?

 

[SactownD]

Maybe he just doesn’t like highways

 

[andyboo]

The system is just not safe enough to go hands free. It still tries to kill me at least 5x/ride in I80 between Sacramento and Truckee and a similar amount of times to S.F.

It’s gotten noticeably better with the last couple updates, especially going through the tighter turns in Auburn. But even with those improvements it’s definitely not ready for hands free.

 

[mikehmb]

Also the cop would know if if you were doing things this dumb by the smell of the wheel. Obviously you would've eaten the ham by the time he walks up to your ill fated accident happenstance truck.

Plot twist - the ham is actually for the officer as an offering to release you from a ticket for not paying attention while driving.

Cured Meat Offering

 

[FooF]

I thought a bacon encrusted donut was the standard offering. Especially when you are testing if the vehicle can do donuts in the donut shop parking lot.

 

[Jakelake]

For the last 54 years I have had a form of self driving car from my 63 VW bug to include every one of my 50 or so cars that I have owned over the years. I use my left knee pushed up into the steering wheel to steer while doing everything from eating on the go to changing clothes while underway. A few days ago I tried it with Highway assist engaged and drove 20 miles with my knee lightly touching the lower left side of the steering wheel. Never got a warning to grab the wheel. This method has a built in safety feature too. If I fall asleep and my knee relaxes, the truck will start warning me and I should wake up.

 

[iansriv]

I can think of so many occasions where I needed hands-free, back in my college/uni days.

 

[Riviot]

For the last 54 years I have had a form of self driving car from my 63 VW bug to include every one of my 50 or so cars that I have owned over the years. I use my left knee pushed up into the steering wheel to steer while doing everything from eating on the go to changing clothes while underway. A few days ago I tried it with Highway assist engaged and drove 20 miles with my knee lightly touching the lower left side of the steering wheel. Never got a warning to grab the wheel. This method has a built in safety feature too. If I fall asleep and my knee relaxes, the truck will start warning me and I should wake up.

 

[JM.]

If folks are gonna do things this dumb, please at least make it tasty. Remember that the steering wheel is capacitive, it would be much better to drape ham over it - that way when you want to take over you are just a few delicious bites away from deactivating hands free mode on a gen1. Those in phoenix may even be able to cook bacon this way - yet another time saving advantage of the ‘meat wheel’ approach.

I've attempted this, along with capacitive/conductive string, and capacitive foam. Each had some success. I was going to finalize a real solution to publish then got a Comma and now don't need to. I can kick back with the iPad on the steering wheel instead of my hand.

Sponsored