New techno-wizardry for Toyota's Prius

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Kiloran, Dec 24, 2005.

Comments

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Kiloran, Dec 24, 2005.

  1. mdmikemd
    Not a fan of this auto-park feature...soon the computers will be telling us we can't pull into that drive-thru, it's unhealthy! :D
  2. mehrenst

    Its called the new "Healthy Lifestyles" option and will be added mid-year (or was that "mid-waist").
  3. Three60guy
    Did you catch that paragraph?

    "The parking monitor uses a rear-mounted miniature TV camera to show the driver the area immediately behind the vehicle. This can be overlaid with guidelines to make reverse manoeuvres simpler and safer."

    How the heck do the "guidelines" get overlaid on the Prius MFD screen view?
  4. TonyPSchaefer
    I believe the guidelines are overlayed electronicly, just like any other computer techno-wizardry. I did a quick Google and here are a couple pictures I found:

    [IMG]

    [IMG]
  5. windstrings
    Not that I have a need or want for it, but the main gripe I had with the auto park feature was that it was toooooo sloooooow!........

    Looks like that may be fixed! See below a copy portion from the link...
  6. mehrenst

    If the computer can manouver the car to get it in the spot why can't it control the accellerator and brake. I'd feel a whole lot more comfortable if the computer controlled the whole thing instead of the split functions the way it is described.
  7. windstrings
    If it did that it may be very easy to not pay attention and back over someone or thing.
    They did forget about the steering wheel.. in the pictures you steer it..I don't know with this one.

    I would feel alot safer to maintain control of the speed in case of something unforseen I could immediately act.
  8. Newman
    I cannot recall the last time I had trouble parking, because
    I have never had trouble parking. I would rather see them
    put their efforts into other things such as additional meters
    and gauges that tell the driver how their driving habits are
    affecting the wear/tear, usage/consumption of other parts
    of the car. This would do more for educating the prospective
    Prius owner about changing their driving habits, and thus
    making the roads safer, more pleasant to drive in, better
    flow of traffic.etc.

    This option puts me to sleep, that is, takes the driver out of
    the picture, just as conventional cars have done for years
    by not informing the driver about gas consumption and current
    mpg. It makes me wonder if Toyota is really thinking deeply
    about the Prius as instructional and habit changing. An option
    like this does not increase the instructional value of the car, but
    rather decreases it.

    The average driver needs more informative meters in the car
    that will display the effects of their bad habits on different parts
    of the car....bad habits such as racing up to redlights to gain pole
    position, tailgating, careening around corners. This is apparent to
    me daily when I see other Prius drivers doing these very things,
    thus proving that the majority of people who are purchasing the car
    are getting into it and driving it mostly like they drove their previous
    gas only car. I have yet to see another Prius owner on the road
    making use of any of the driving practises mentioned in the forum
    for obtaining better MPG.

    Perhaps it is because we are going the same speed and so the
    chances of meeting are significantly reduced :)
  9. habel
  10. narf
    I think it's a legal issue. Once you allow robotic control of the motion of a vehicle capable of going more than a few MPH in the United States, you have to meet a whole series of regualtions including flashing lights and horns. Keeping the car under some driver control prevents it from falling under that classification.
  11. Tideland Prius
    Also, if he decides to lift the brake pedal, the system will cancel and revert back to auto mode so you can't sue the car for ramming into the front of the vehicle behind.

    Btw, there is a interim solution offered on the GS. On the screen, (in reverse of course), it'll show a picture of the steering wheel and give you arrows to TELL YOU which way to turn the wheel.

    Honestly, I thought you had to parallel park when doing your driver's examination.
  12. windstrings
    I think you can fail as many as three items now?....

    They don't make it as hard as they used to... otherwise it would be descriminating against the people who can't drive! :lol: :lol:
  13. Kacey Green
    The Japaneese Prius have had this option since '04 except then you only had to control the brake not the accelerator.
  14. habel
    It does control the accelerator. It's the same as the Japanese system.
  15. imntacrook
    Thats cool, I like how they do it with the adjustable rectangle. I wouldn't pay extra for it, but if it came with the car I could amaze my family and friends.
  16. DaveinOlyWA

    with any luck and judging by the products and response of the vendor, you will have your wish very shortly. eflier makes the CANVIEW which provides TONS of vital information and an increaseingly greater volume of the data that is passed back and forth amongst the many computers working together on the Prius.

    2006's are not supported yet but your model may not be all that far away. to be honest with ya, if eflier had a 2006 to work with, there is no doubt he could have a working model in very very short time. as far as vendors goes. he is by far the most impressive that i have worked with
  17. hdrygas
    If you have VSC the car already modifies the breaks and the steering if you are in a skid. Computer control is closer than you think it is here.
  18. Roger3125
  19. Roger3125
    I'm sorry but perhaps toyota left out some pages in my manual as I can find no information on Auto-Park, Can someone who is familar with this feature direct me to where I might read where it is on 2006 Prius and to what purpose it serves?

    Thanks lots
    Roger

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