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Prius 4/4T Autopilot vs Tesla?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by ucla107, Mar 14, 2016.

  1. ucla107

    ucla107 Member

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    Ok, so I might be dreaming, but ultimately the Prius 4/4T with ATP/PCP has all the hardware that is needed to fully support autopilot - auto steering/auto lane change, auto breaking, auto accelerating, reading road markers...

    DRCC can already break to a complete stop and accelerate after you hit resume the CC stalk.
    LDA/SA and IPA can already auto steer... only that LDA/SA doesn't kick in until 32mph, while IPA stops at 10mph I believe.

    Do you think eventually Toyota will have a software upgrade that would support that function, since it is mostly software that is controlling these driving functions? Perhaps make it an option within Gen4?

    As you may have seen from my recent post, I need to get a new car as my Gen3 was totaled, and will need to make a decision very soon. I've test drove both the Model S and Prius 4 multiple times and still can't make up my mind... I absolutely LOVED the Model S (who doesn't) but I also loved the 4T with PCP quite a bit. It's just that the Prius doesn't have all the pieces connected.

    I do drive about 30k miles a year, mostly highway, so even at 50-54mpg, I'm still talking about a decent amount of gas... I do get to use the EV charger for free at work, so along with not having to stop at the gas station and riding solo in the carpool lane, the Tesla does look very appealing, minus the price tag. I cannot pull myself together to spend double the amount (priced a MS 70 for $77k so about $67k with tax credit and rebate)

    Long term if I do drive 30k/year the gas savings will bring the two cars' TCO closer and closer together. I also like that the Tesla's drivetrain warranty is 8y/unlimited be the Prius which is 8yr/100k... Now I don't anticipate the Prius braking down since it's a Toyota... But it's still a safety net.

    So what do you guys think? HELP!! Sooo confused!
     
  2. Zojja

    Zojja Active Member

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    How about leasing a EV for a couple years until you see what other options come out? The part about Tesla, as much as I love them, is that they seem to have multiple issues which can leave you without a running car. Sure Tesla will fix it for free and give you a rental but unless you are totally all in on that type of experience, it may not be for you. Someone posted a video where someone had a Tesla S for 2 years and was on their 3rd drivetrain (among many, many other issues). The technology is only getting better though and in the next few years, who knows what will be out including a new Prius EV.
     
  3. Caniac

    Caniac Active Member

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    Not really contributing, but where do you get Teslas serviced? I have seen a few around town here and wondered what they did. We are literally in the middle of nowhere. I'm sure being in CA is completely different, but what do you do?
     
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I have to tell ya that personally I'm not overly optimistic about autopilot being widely accepted anytime soon. I can summarize my reasoning with one word: "snow". With a light dusting, it's impossible to see the lines for highway driving or parking. With heavier amounts, even humans are uncertain where the lanes are. Even worse on non-major roads where there are no curbs, just a drop-off-of-no-return.

    So it is my humble opinion that auto-pilot should not be considered as a main category to help with decide which car to buy. Not within this model generation, anyway.
     
  5. ucla107

    ucla107 Member

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    There is not much to service because it doesnt have a traditional engine... Service plans | Tesla Motors I know in LA there are several Tesla service centers




    merged




    Fair enough... I guess that's one thing I'm lucky enough not to have to deal with... I wonder how it does in the rain... I mean the road markers are still visible, but the cameras that it uses could be slightly obstructed by raindrops on the windshield...
     
    #5 ucla107, Mar 14, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 14, 2016
  6. Zojja

    Zojja Active Member

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    That'd be pretty important criteria. Where I live, a number of Tesla show rooms have popped up plus Tesla has built charging stations along the freeway to encourage people to buy. I looked and there is a pretty close servicing station (closer than my Toyota dealer). Tesla also has towing service and I'm pretty sure they will bring you a rental car if your car is completely out of service.
     
  7. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    On your S you could always add a hitch, and a

    189710.jpg

    Then you can range as far as you want.
     
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  8. ucla107

    ucla107 Member

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    HAHAHA! There's an idea!
     
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    And the S has an actual tow rating vs. the Prius' big zero.
     
  10. Zojja

    Zojja Active Member

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    I tried to find a source but I saw a European site that indicated that the Gen 4 Prius has a 1600 lb towing capacity, but I don't see that on the official specs so not sure where that came from. Although as someone who has never towed anything, it isn't a priority for me.
     
  11. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    Autopilot is not ready for prime time. Too many obstacles such as bad road markings, rural roads with no markings, dirt or gravel roads, snow which is covering any markings and potholes to name a few.

    Get the Prius now and when the Model 3 comes out, reevaluate your needs.
     
  12. ucla107

    ucla107 Member

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    I thought of that too... that I can get the Gen4 now and put my $1000 down for the Model 3 and evaluate when it come out... I wouldn't want to get the first 2 years, so I'll likely get it early 2019, but by then the tax credit would likely be expired and by the time I spend $33k for the Prius then maybe $45k (by that time with options) for the Model 3, i'm basically paying the same price o_O

    One thing that works with LA/Southern California is that we don't have snow and most of our roads are marked even in the suburb, so I can't comment on how well it works in rural areas.
     
  13. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    Your $1000 investment on a Model 3 also might be worth more in a couple of years to someone anxious to get in line for a delivery.
     
  14. OldnCrusty

    OldnCrusty Junior Member

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    Autopilot won't be generally useful until someone figures out how to power (and afford) embedded RF transmitters to supplement/replace painted lines.
     
  15. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    I just read a first drive of the Mercedes Benz 2017 300E and it stated the following:

    "The Mercedes Drive Pilot system, a semi-autonomous system, can handle highway driving up to 130 miles per hour — and still up to 81 mph when road markers "are unclear or non-existent."

    Makes me wonder how quickly software engineers are progressing, or are marketing departments pushing the envelope?
     
  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I would suspect that Tesla prices will gradually creep down - part of the increasing model range.

    But my suspicion is that not just with Prius, but that safety features (BSM, RCTA etc) will be mandated on all cars in the not too distant future.
     
  17. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    Being an embedded software engineer myself, complex systems with multiple CPUs are very hard to make bug free. Yes virtually all can be safely recovered, but its that critical dormant one that can sneak by FOQ testing...
     
  18. PaJa

    PaJa Senior member

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    I don't believe the japanese carmakers will introduce the autopilot systems soon. The Japan government and their law system is veeery rigid to the AI driving. The Tesla itself doesn't enable their AI features for cars located in Japan.
     
  19. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    The Japanese are in there too. Nissan, on 12 March, was reported by BBC News to be working on Driverless cars.

    And on October 7 last year, BBC reported "Toyota has become the latest car manufacturer to test a driverless vehicle on a public road. The car, a modified Lexus GS, was tested on Tokyo's Shuto Expressway".
     
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Don't forget that the 2016 Prius in Japan can be equipped with ITS. (Intelligent Transportation System). It's not autonomous driving but it's a group of features that communicate with the road network at an intersection to signify pedestrians crossing the street, an approaching car (so don't turn right into traffic) or the approach of an emergency vehicle. It also has vehicle-to-vehicle dynamic radar cruise control. Basically, when a V2V DRCC-equipped vehicle is present, the car in front will signal to your car to slow down first a few milliseconds before it does to smooth out the traffic flow and to smooth out the braking force on your car. Also, when the car in front is about to speed up again, it'll send a signal to your car so that you'll accelerate at the same time the car in front does. Right now, DRCC will increase the speed after it detects the car in front has sped up so there's a delay.
     
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