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Comment by rkagerer | Hacker News Reader

Neat, but the article seems a little rosy-eyed. eg:

...the software uses microphones and cameras to detect emergency lights and sirens far enough in advance to issue the full 10-second warning before manual takeover.

That doesn't help when the lights and sirens are switched on a few dozen cars away and reach you in 6 seconds.

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Emergency vehicles don't and can't expect full compliance and open road 6 seconds after they turn on their lights and sirens, that would be irrational. It takes time to move out of the way, especially in the sort of traffic this is designed for (low-speed stop-and-go highways).

You are not supposed to be asleep at the wheel with any of these "autopilots", nor are you supposed to be reading books or looking at your phone. What are you doing that you can't take back control of your wheel in less than a few seconds ?

Article clearly says that "In Germany, drivers can legally use their cellphones while Drive Pilot is engaged, a first for semi-autonomous systems". However, you can't go to sleep.

If your car is yelling at you to grab the wheel, I'm sure you can take two seconds to put your phone in your pocket. With one hand even, so the other can go to your wheel, and your feet are still nice and snug on the pedals, ready to brake should you need to.

I think the crucial thing here is, in this case if you don't do any of that, Mercedes will still take responsibility for a crash until the ten seconds is up.

Therefore they need to be very confident in that ten second rule, and naturally we look for cases where it might not work out well.

And your focus and situation awareness is out of the window.

Hmm I know it's not the same but I see a lot of people fall asleep on public transit only to be jolted awake, look around confused for a few seconds and then bolt for the doors because they are realizing they're about to miss their stop. I think it's great to say "you can't go to sleep" but I have a feeling people will fall asleep anyways, especially commuting to and from work. Based on the disoriented, panicked, suddenly awake people I see on public transit, I think the 10 second warning could scare somebody awake, have them panic and cause an accident.

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