2018 Clarity new owner, lots of questions

[MrFixit]

IMO if the computer and radar and cameras are doing the driving, there is no reason ACC for all vehicles can’t be programmed to go into full tailgate mode...like 5 feet following distance.

@craze1cars - You really are crazy !!
The Clarity is looking squarely (and exclusively) at the car right in front of you. That would be a recipe for disaster [at this point].
I know you aren't advocating that the Clarity can safely close the gap to 5' at the current time.

With the current ACC (which tends toward the "old school rules" because there is no pretense of autonomy) attempts to automate following, I find it awkward and uncomfortable. If it were to attempt an extremely close following distance, it would surely fail miserably.

OK, when vehicles somehow gain complete situational awareness and can fully assess circumstances way down the road in order to evaluate emerging problems, well maybe. The sensors on the Clarity are woefully inadequate for that task.

I am all in favor of greater autonomy, but I was a little surprised at how far away it is... With all the hype about Tesla, I thought the Clarity would be much farther along than it really is. In my opinion, your vision is at least 10 years away, and maybe more !

 

[MrFixit]

If you want to follow more closely behind the car in front and attempt to zoom forward when a gap opens up, turn that crap off and use your foot.

Yes, and then you can be one of the idiots who wind up causing a majority of the accidents !

 

[craze1cars]

I’m not saying the way the Clarity is currently programmed is capable of doing this. I’m saying the technology is capable. Needs reprogramming, and a less litigious and fearful society.

Yes I firmly believe computers can drive better than humans. I don’t believe drivers are willing to accept it yet, as is evidenced by the response already given from you MrFixit! So I do agree with you...actually doing as I describe is indeed more than 10 years off...but always getting closer.

 

[Landshark]

Yes, and then you can be one of the idiots who wind up causing a majority of the accidents !

To be clear, I am not suggesting that anyone operate their vehicle irresponsibly.

Each owner should understand the pros and cons of these nanny features. When these advanced features are unable to preform to the owners expectations, the owner needs to take matters into their own hands. Life is tough sometimes.

With the proper knowledge, even stupid decisions can be informed decisions.

As to which idiots cause the majority of accidents, I’ll need to see some data.

 

[insightman]

With all the hype about Tesla, I thought the Clarity would be much farther along than it really is.

How does Tesla's "cut-in-prevent" mode for their ACC work? Does it just follow a few feet behind the car ahead or does it detect a neighboring car accelerating and close the gap?

 

[rodeknyt]

How does Tesla's "cut-in-prevent" mode for their ACC work? Does it just follow a few feet behind the car ahead or does it detect a neighboring car accelerating and close the gap?

Teslas have a bunch of cameras, pointing in all different directions. Probably does exactly as you surmise.

 

[Kerbe]

I dunno, I rather like using ACC. I've even used it for low-speed auto-follow in stop-&-go traffic. I have found, though, that if the car ahead has slowed me significantly and I pull into the passing lane, the lag in "normal" mode to reach speed is unbearable - but that's not the case in "sport" mode. The combination of ACC and LKA helps to make long-distance drives on high-speed interstates a much more relaxed and enjoyable proposition. Am I looking forward to my next car having a much more sophisticated system? You betcha I am - but the Clarity is teaching me the basics!

 

[LAF]

I meant pause/resume from the steering wheel, can't edit the post anymore.

Is there a way to use regular CC without adaptive crap? Like I said even with the lowest setting, it feels like I'm almost two car lengths behind.

Adaptive cruise is really meant for highway speed. I think it is great for long trips, along with lane assist, together I feel it makes long trips seem half as long.. I agree it is not good enough for stop and go on the highway