tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post2357797394169802555..comments2024-03-28T08:06:43.198-04:00Comments on The Silicon Graybeard: Techy Tuesday - Making Big Trucks "Invisible"SiGraybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-65373053642566140142015-06-25T18:56:56.339-04:002015-06-25T18:56:56.339-04:00Which gets me to wondering - how many good ideas t...<i>Which gets me to wondering - how many good ideas that might be useful never see the light of day (or even become part of a company's written records) because someone says "lawyers"?</i> I think if we knew the total number across all of society, we'd die of shock. SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-31233052798818619362015-06-25T08:23:45.173-04:002015-06-25T08:23:45.173-04:00Speaking of lawyers and litigation, two things: fi...Speaking of lawyers and litigation, two things: first, what measures is Samsung taking on their trucks to prevent the camera being obstructed by snow, ice, mud, etc? Not having the camera/monitor solution operating at design standards under all possible conditions is lawyer bait, and second, if Samsung has it on their trucks, how long before all other trucking companies get sued for not implementing the latest and greatest safety features? It's probably significant that Samsung did <i>not</i> show this off in America. <br /><br />And what will happen when Suzy Creamcheese, low IQ driver texting or talking on her phone, comes up behind a Samsung truck, looks at the display, assumes it is a clear road ahead and drives into the back of the truck? <br /><br />Which gets me to wondering - how many good ideas that might be useful never see the light of day (or even become part of a company's written records) because someone says "lawyers"? Aliennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-4851963402266760512015-06-24T20:57:33.523-04:002015-06-24T20:57:33.523-04:00A lot of good ideas, here. The cost of lawyers an...A lot of good ideas, here. The cost of lawyers and litigation is something I really didn't consider. If it proves to prevent accidents, I could see the Fed.Gov mandating it. They love forcing big expenses on companies for little benefit. It's for the greater good. It's for the chidrin. <br /><br />SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-62629967003952817932015-06-24T17:41:38.740-04:002015-06-24T17:41:38.740-04:00> Neat idea, but perhaps a bit short on cost-ef...> Neat idea, but perhaps a bit short on cost-effectiveness. <br />How many years before the FedGovCo mandates it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-16993918889005511942015-06-24T06:40:07.535-04:002015-06-24T06:40:07.535-04:00Al_in_Ottawa is on the right track but perhaps the...Al_in_Ottawa is on the right track but perhaps the wrong destination. Same with Samsung, for al the reasons you mentioned, SiG.<br /><br />If video assistance for passing is a viable solution, why not a small camera outboard of the driver's side mirror? Crowding the lane divider would then provide a view past the vehicle in front (something that can be done today without a video camera.....). A telephoto lens would be required since the passing driver should only care about what's several hundred yards in front of the obstructing vehicle. <br /><br />The issue then becomes how to view the result, which requires some sort of display within the driver's field of view. The ideal would be a HUD with distance gradations (similar to a BDC rifle scope) in the lower left corner of the windshield; repeatedly pulling the driver's eyes into the vehicle center and down is not conducive to increased highway safety.<br /><br />As soon as one manufacturer equips its vehicles in such a manner our Lords and Rulers in Washington will mandate the equipment on every car. I'd be a little surprised if Samsung's cute trick doesn't follow that path within 5 years. <br /><br />The alternative, of course, is learn how to properly drive the f*****g car in varying conditions, something functional adults used to be capable of. Aliennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-68261254561662581152015-06-24T02:18:12.460-04:002015-06-24T02:18:12.460-04:00Interesting idea but as you mentioned the monitors...Interesting idea but as you mentioned the monitors are expensive and I suspect would have a short lifespan due to exposure to the elements. <br />How about replacing the monitors on the back of the van with a low-powered transmitter that provides a video signal to the car behind the truck? Have the video displayed on the car's monitor. I don't need OnStar or GPS but knowing whether it's safe to pass or not would be a useful option that might influence my next car purchase. The car manufacturers and/or insurance companies could provide the camera and sending unit free to the trucking companies. Install the camera on the van and put a huge ID number on the back doors of the van so that in the vicinity of multiple trucks the driver can choose the correct signal. <br /><br />Al_in_OttawaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-85613677228241692372015-06-23T23:24:50.523-04:002015-06-23T23:24:50.523-04:00That's not how it works here in the land of th...That's not how it works here in the land of the free though. When it comes to our safety any cost is justified for any (even if it is no more than just a perceived) benefit. This obviously needs to be law!<br /><br />David MartinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1592992209402300549.post-11671671268204079902015-06-23T22:54:45.553-04:002015-06-23T22:54:45.553-04:00I live out West and I do a lot of driving. 50-60 ...I live out West and I do a lot of driving. 50-60 years ago truck drivers were called the knights of the road. Not any more. They drive too fast, they change lanes carelessly and they often wander out of their lane as they text, read, eat, shave, talk on the CB, and otherwise are distracted. It is exciting to try to pass a truck going 80 mph or have one pass you doing 80. Did you know that a fully loaded 18 wheeler driving 65 mph requires 1/8th of a mile to stop? The speed limit for a truck should be set based on it's stopping distance and they should be banned from passing or leaving the right hand lane if they are alreaady going the speed limit. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com