Shouldn't Pedestrian Detection Systems Also Protect Animals?

OK, I fess up. I'm the one who got out of my car and stopped traffic for nearly 30 minutes to get an enormous snapping turtle off the road.

And I've probably done the same thing for groundhogs, fawns, cats, deer, baby birds and anything else with four legs.

So when Volvo put me into the new S60 sedan at a press introduction with instructions to keep my foot on the gas and aimed me at what looked like a little boy, I wasn't thrilled. Volvo engineers promised the new pedestrian detection system would stop the car by itself.




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veyron1001 - 9/27/2010 3:47:25 PM

+4 Boost

No. Neither should pedestrian detection. People should look out forcars and drivers should look out for peopls.

Joe_Limon - 9/27/2010 3:52:57 PM

-1 Boost

would you feel safer crossing the road knowing that there are teen girls texting and their cars will attempt to brake for them? or knowing that there is not such system between you and them? You can always argue that any safety system is irrelevant because you should just avoid trying to crash in the first place, but would that argument still dissuade you from purchasing a vehicle that you know is a death trap?

Bmw8ter - 9/29/2010 6:55:51 AM

+2 Boost

Joe, the dictates of common sense would have that you look both ways before crossing. Anyone that doesn't have enough intelligence to do that deserves to be mowed down.

WorldofLuxury - 9/27/2010 5:58:39 PM

+1 Boost

Yes because we suck at avoiding animals sometimes.

We can either crash into them, damage the car, and hurt the creatures, or we can swerve and lose control.

Pre-collision systems are useful, and stop-and-go adaptive cruise control would definitely bring lots of benefits if people learn how to use it properly. A simple off switch for the systems would be a nice finishing touch.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/28/2010 7:52:53 PM

+1 Boost

So while you are out driving, you are cruising when suddenly the vehicle ahead slams on its brakes and you crash or almost crash into it as there were no obvious obstacles ahead of the vehicle in front. How would you feel when you find out the vehicle stopped without the drivers input because a large squirrel ran out into the road ?

WorldofLuxury - 9/29/2010 2:28:00 AM

+1 Boost

aha well, some people swerve when they see the squirrel.

Anyways, I understand what you mean. And that's something automakers have to deal with. Guess why most precollision systems won't apply full brakes when the vehicle is above a certain speed?

Nevertheless, my point is that it's always better to be safe than sorry. (;

WorldofLuxury - 9/29/2010 2:28:46 AM

+1 Boost

aha I know what you mean. There are times when I just don't feel like driving, especially with all the legal limits that roads have nowadays.