Happy Caturday, Gerbil Nation!
Good morning, Fatwa!
Mrs. Paddy and I are driving out to Redlands today for my nephew’s wedding. It should be a bright, sunny, hot day -- which means it’s probably an outdoor wedding.
We survived the KillerSharkRaptorCobraPlatypusStormnado 2015! Supposedly we’ve got a little more rain expected tonight, and then a couple of tepid days with high humidity.
ALL our rain barrels are full and that’s a good thing.
I’ve been chewing on a theory/hypothetical for a couple of months, and I wanted to bounce if off y’all. I do think it’s going to happen though.
Y’all know I work in the automotive industry -- so I get info on A LOT of the new ‘tings that they’re putting in cars. Rain sensors were just the start (and seriously, you need a fvcking sensor to tell you it’s raining?!).
Now we’ve got Lane Departure Warning, Off-Road Mitigation, Road Sign Recognition and Projection (onto the windshield), and a sh¡t-ton more. GM is only whispering it, but the inclusion of Progressive’s SnapShot on the new Volt is automatic.
Starting last year, the commercials by car makers started drifting closer and closer to the line that accidents were going to be avoided -- whether you’re an active participant or not.
Mercedes finally crossed the line: their commercial for the ML350 says, “It couldn’t get into an accident if it wanted to.”
Here’s my theory/hypothesis: someone’s gonna test it.
Someone’s gonna get one of the Lexii, Acuras, Mercedes, or Volvos with every ADAS (Automated Driver Assistance System) module and TEST (perhaps fatally) if all those bells and whistles work; figuring with the number of air bags that are standard, they’ll be wrapped like a cannoli and safe.
There were A LOT of lawsuits over ABS brakes when they first were made available because inadequately trained salesweasels didn’t tell people the brake pedals vibrated when the system kicked in -- people took their foot off the pedal out of fear and shock and WHAM!
All the manufacturers have the same snippet disclaimer: “The [insert system name here] is not a substitute for driver awareness.”
I’m sure they think those disclaimers are bulletproof (the full text). They may be -- for the moment. Some other lawbah’s gonna find a loophole big enough for a semi.
Granted, I’m a cynic, and well aware people are scht00pit, but this one seems too easy.
Happy Caturday, GN!
I see no particular problem with Mac’s thread pic.
Ergo, I am not responsible for any extra-carpy content I post today.
Happy Caturday, Gerbil Nation!
Good morning, Fatwa!
Mrs. Paddy and I are driving out to Redlands today for my nephew’s wedding. It should be a bright, sunny, hot day -- which means it’s probably an outdoor wedding.
Hai, Paddy…and oy!
Hope you and teh missus have a safe trip and pleasant time despite the heat.
Drat!
Drive-by happy birthday wishes to X!
We survived the KillerSharkRaptorCobraPlatypusStormnado 2015! Supposedly we’ve got a little more rain expected tonight, and then a couple of tepid days with high humidity.
ALL our rain barrels are full and that’s a good thing.
I’ve been chewing on a theory/hypothetical for a couple of months, and I wanted to bounce if off y’all. I do think it’s going to happen though.
Y’all know I work in the automotive industry -- so I get info on A LOT of the new ‘tings that they’re putting in cars. Rain sensors were just the start (and seriously, you need a fvcking sensor to tell you it’s raining?!).
Now we’ve got Lane Departure Warning, Off-Road Mitigation, Road Sign Recognition and Projection (onto the windshield), and a sh¡t-ton more. GM is only whispering it, but the inclusion of Progressive’s SnapShot on the new Volt is automatic.
Starting last year, the commercials by car makers started drifting closer and closer to the line that accidents were going to be avoided -- whether you’re an active participant or not.
Mercedes finally crossed the line: their commercial for the ML350 says, “It couldn’t get into an accident if it wanted to.”
Here’s my theory/hypothesis: someone’s gonna test it.
Someone’s gonna get one of the Lexii, Acuras, Mercedes, or Volvos with every ADAS (Automated Driver Assistance System) module and TEST (perhaps fatally) if all those bells and whistles work; figuring with the number of air bags that are standard, they’ll be wrapped like a cannoli and safe.
There were A LOT of lawsuits over ABS brakes when they first were made available because inadequately trained salesweasels didn’t tell people the brake pedals vibrated when the system kicked in -- people took their foot off the pedal out of fear and shock and WHAM!
All the manufacturers have the same snippet disclaimer: “The [insert system name here] is not a substitute for driver awareness.”
I’m sure they think those disclaimers are bulletproof (the full text). They may be -- for the moment. Some other lawbah’s gonna find a loophole big enough for a semi.
Granted, I’m a cynic, and well aware people are scht00pit, but this one seems too easy.