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Comment by fuzzy2 | Hacker News Reader

> Secondly, though, can someone explain how "modifying steering and acceleration modes" does not "yield drive control"? This sounds like it does affect the driving of the car.

I have a car (2019 Seat Leon) with Dynamic Chassis Control. Modes are Eco, Normal, Comfort and Sport. Of these, only Eco really has any special characteristics like reduced acceleration. So while it may indeed affect how the car drives and steers, it’s nothing dramatic. I’m sure it’s relatively similar in a Tesla. But maybe I’m just numb. :-)

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It might have some effect. On a car with electronic steering the drive mode changes how "heavy" the steering wheel feels, same for electronic suspensions (google drive-by-wire). my non expert assumption is that the wheels are controlled by some electronic system and the feedback provided through the steering wheel actuator.

Tesla’s are not real drive by wire so currently there’s no possibility of taking independent control over the wheels.

How does autopilot work if it doesn't have 'real drive by wire'

Someone already mentioned but wanted to say it is surprising that theres essentially no real drive-by-wire car in production. And really there doesn't need to me. It's just added complexity and liability. Eventually they'll migrate that way as they work towards getting rid of the steering wheel but as long as thats around, the wheel will be directed connected to the power steering systems.

This becomes obvious in a Tesla when you play that racing game on the MCU with the steering wheel as input. It moves the wheels. If the car was drive-by-wire they wouldn't move as thats just causing excess wear for no reason.

The same way lane assist worked before: using the actuator that is already present in virtually all modern cars for the power steering system. You can easily fight against it by holding the steering wheel.

But if i were asleep at the wheel or distracted at the wheel it could certainly drift me into the oncoming traffic lane which i might or might not notice.

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