General Discussion

[ProjectVRD]

Apologies for the title but this is how the report is saying it,car headlights that turn off rays of light so they reflect off the rain. I don't really understand how this is accomplished without using lasers as the headlights because light scatters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18736406

But anyhow, the reason I created this topic is I immediately thought to myself that the light bouncing back of rain drops was never the problem for me, but instead the sheet of water that accumulates on the windscreen between the wipers even if they are going at full speed. I would like to see them sort that issue that!

[fenian]

Seen this already, It would come in handy in torrential downpour at night only.

I have been in rain at night and not been able to see.

[ProjectVRD]

It might be because I haven't been in such an experience then, the most severe downpours I can remember all seem to have happened when I was inside the house or in work etc... I can't say I look forward to driving in that kind of weather fen, I find it bad enough without rain at night because people blind me with their xenons

[fenian]

Yeah its rare enough here.

I have been blinded during the day too, would these help during the day? I dunno seems like the ambient light would cause the problem anyway during the day.

But it was one of the scariest expereinces in my life, it was in France on the motor way, heavens opened up couldnt see a thing, about 20 foot is all. Couldnt slow and stop cause someone would hit the back of us, had to just guess a good speed and keep going. Trucks were driving about 40mph in the hard shoulder, we were screaming thought we were gonna die.

Also spun out of control on ice once ended up in a ditch. We were actually only going 10mph or so, i wasnt driving but someone infront jammed on brakes so all we could do was brake, but we kept skidding so had to steer, did a full 360 into oncoming traffic and everything like some sort of out of control slow motion car lol

I wonder how automated systems will handle them types of scenarios, I think heavy rain can put radar off too?

[ProjectVRD]

Well for automated systems I know that traction control has helped me with standing water, but it is dangerous on ice and snow so it should be turned off unless it is designed for that sort of circumstance (Range Rovers etc with the Ice/Snow setting). When I first had my car there was snow a couple of months later, not having TC before I didn't turn it off, the car and me were constantly disagreeing about how much power was needed. Needless to say the car won out because it is designed to override me and I didn't have enough motion to get up a little hill, it kept on turning the brakes on and off really quickly... I ended up sliding back down at an angle hahaha, had a go without TC and up in first go without an issue.

And I too had heard that systems like radar can suffer under rain.

[Moghal2007]

The prototypes have been a success. Will probably be implemented in 2020.

[Nakatsu_Hime]

Anything that replaces the chavvy morons behind the wheel can't come soon enough.

[fenian]

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Nakatsu_Hime wrote:
Anything that replaces the chavvy morons behind the wheel can't come soon enough.

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There has only ever been one serious accident in my family, a drunk judge flew through a round about, wasnt even breathalyzed.

The biggest idiots on the roads imo are the ones in their big cars that seem to think rules dont apply to them, or people from outside the city who dont really know how to drive in a city.

[shanethegooner]

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fenian wrote: 

I have been in rain at night and not been able to see.

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Open your eyes.

[Mike939]

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shanethegooner wrote:

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fenian wrote: 

I have been in rain at night and not been able to see.

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Open your eyes.

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How is he supposed to sleep with his eyes open?