The future of 4WD

[sasquatch-hunter]

You know within a few years, all offroaders will have something similar to this cruiser's system. Next time when I go wheeling, I'll bring a book to read or something.

[Artacoma]

like

[thelazygreenfox]

you'd only need a steering licence then, and maybe you could text and use a cell phone while steering.

ICBC would love it but so would my nephews body shop.

Merry Christmas
TLGF

[strada-caster]

don't like, just one more thing to make people more stupid behind the wheel, the current example around Canada/US is taking away the need to learn how to parallel park.
I'm an engineer and I hate some of the new technological advances car companies are making.

[Mr. Flibble]

I do like this, strangely enough.

As someone who prefers to drive a standard transmission where possible, you would not think that I would.

But here is why I do like it:

This is the forefront of ushering in the era of driverless cars. That is, cars that drive themselves. This is good because you could actually do something else while behind the wheel, and the reaction time of a computer is far superior to that of a human. Most accidents are caused by driver error, something that can be reduced significantly through the use of computers.

Over all, technology makes our lives better not worse. So while it may be worth griping that this reduces the skills of a driver (it does), it also improves the overall safety and ease of access while off road. That is not a bad thing. You don't see that many people riding around on motorcycles with a "suicide shift" anymore - and riding with a suicide shifter does indeed take more skill than a foot shifter.

The eventual arrival of driverless cars will reduce accidents and traffic jams - I think that this is something that we can all get behind. And in the end, this sort of technology can also be turned off if you don't want to use it.

[Big-Bird]

Interesting but I for one do not like my vehicle making decisions for me on the trail.

The advent of ABS and traction control has in some instances contributed to trail accidents. This kind of tech makes me nervous as it makes for lazy trail habits. My opinion....

[Artacoma]

It looks to me like this does what you can't , which is switch power to the wheel that needs it without trying to figure which wheel is spinning and to be able to keep your attention on your steering and picking the rocks to go around. I think it would totally extend safe driving range and minimize extraction scenarios.
Hey I like ABS and air bags too and will likely be adding cruise control to my van.

[nxski]

Sure technology makes the likelihood of a collision less but then it becomes random. In an instance where technology fails you're SOL. I prefer to be in control of my own fate and not at the mercy of technology. I also love to drive and would do everything in my power not to lose that privilege.

[Mr. Flibble]

True, when technology fails you are SOL. If your brakes fail and you can't engine brake to compensate you are SOL. That is technology just the same, and ironically it is not designed to fail safe. That is, if your brakes fail they are not designed to fail closed, but open.

The advantage of solid-state electronics is that it has a much lower failure rate than mechanical components. Generally, speaking, if a solid-state electrical part has not failed in the first 15 min of use, it is unlikely to fail for years and years.

When this technology fails, you go back to normal driving. When self driving cars come along, a failed state will likely mean that the car stops and perhaps goes to the side of the road with momentum - it also means it will communicate with other cars to make them aware of the failure, so they automatically can avoid your failed car - and even alert help. To me, this sounds like a much better failure position than my brakes ceasing to stop me.

[nxski]

I'm referring more to the self driving cars. If my brakes fail, I want to control where I end up not some computer that might malfunction. Regardless of whether they create something safer than humans I like to control my destiny and I like to drive. By that logic we should get robots to play soccer for our entertainment because they would be better at it than humans.

[Mr. Flibble]

I'm referring more to the self driving cars. If my brakes fail, I want to control where I end up not some computer that might malfunction. Regardless of whether they create something safer than humans I like to control my destiny and I like to drive. By that logic we should get robots to play soccer for our entertainment because they would be better at it than humans.

In a way though, we already do have robot soccer. Video games let you play along with the robots after all, making for a game that you help to control, and not just watch.

I can understand the feeling that you would want to take control and decide where to drive, but there will come a time where no matter if you are a F1 racer that the technology will reach a level where it is not only a superior driver, but indeed a safer and more reliable one. A computer won't fall asleep at the wheel from too long of a drive, or get distracted for a moment by a cell phone.

Sure, driving is fun, I really like it. But there is a distinction between driving because you enjoy it and getting to a destination safely and reliably. There is a reason all new planes have such capable auto pilots.

[nxski]

To be honest, I hope we don't get that safety conscious. I already think we're too focused on safety. What's life without the thrill factor. Should we all just sit in a steel box because we're too afraid to do anything? I don't want to put others at risk but when a snowy day comes along I find a deserted piece of road and start drifting, pulling e-brake turns, etc because it's fun. In regards to computer games, you still control the individual but I would much rather play the game outside than on a screen or sit and watch people play.

[glenn]

What about a self driving car that only takes over when a crash is imminent? Collision avoidance. This way, a family doesn't die on christmas eve when someone is driving too fast for the conditions, or is impaired, or has a micro-sleep, etc. Don't think of it as all or nothing. Perhaps you would like to check your email while the car takes you to work. Perhaps you are stuck in traffic and would rather nap. Sounds awesome to me.

For the most part, when technology like this becomes reliable, acceptance is only a matter of time.

[sasquatch-hunter]

Similar system in Landy works very well too. Check out this LR4 in rough stuff with only street tires! My concern is how reliable is the computerized system?

[nxski]

Good point Glenn, I wouldn't mind collision avoidance or the ability to turn on and off the self driving feature. I don't think is be comfortable napping though.