My wife is my autopilot

[mspohr]

My wife is excited to hear that the new cars will have lane holding, adaptive cruise control, etc. since she is very nervous that I don't seem to do a good job of staying in the lane and sometimes don't see traffic stopping ahead. (She is probably right.)
I'm thinking that is you have the lane holding and ACC that you wouldn't need to keep your hands on the steering wheel (in fact, it might interfere with the lane control).
When I mentioned this to my wife, she was adamant that under no circumstances would she allow me to take my hands off the steering wheel. (I do this occasionally now to talk with my hands and it drives her crazy.)
So... what do you think?
Will you be able to take your hands off the steering?
Should you take your hands off the steering?
Will leaving your hands on the steering interfere with the lane holding?

 

[Krugerrand]

Will leaving your hands on the steering interfere with the lane holding?

My understanding of what Elon said is that the car will resist a driver turning into an obstacle or such, and that the driver will be able to override the Autopilot and steer into the obstacle if they really want to.

 

[donv]

The demo drivers were emphasizing that their hands were not on the steering wheel, so yes, I think you're fine taking your hands off the wheel. What your wife thinks is another matter...

 

[auger]

Show your wife this. At least you're not this road hazard . . . or are you? :wink:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id8CQ-vsojQ

 

[Barry]

Is autopilot an updated term for back seat driver? :smile:

 

[mspohr]

I'm not as distracted as the fellow in the Infini ad but it does illustrate the virtues of autopilot.

 

[Afdyce]

I am very lucky. My family always has an opinion to share with me about anything and everything I do, even driving. That's not the best thing though, the best is that my wife has always managed to finish my sentences for

 

[mspohr]

I have experienced the same thing. For years I have had constant feedback on my driving (including lots of panic warnings about squirrels, etc.) but it does not seem to be doing any good. I still keep making the same mistakes. Driving too fast or too slow, etc. I also have a special category of "parking" where every single time I park the car, I am informed about a better parking place nearby.
I have high hopes that the Autopilot will cure me of many of my nasty habits by taking me out of the loop. (Not sure it can take care of the parking problem, though the proposed "Autopark" function could improve operation in that area.)
All in all, I am looking forward to the new features... just have to come to terms with not having my hands on the steering wheel.

 

[Krugerrand]

I have experienced the same thing. For years I have had constant feedback on my driving (including lots of panic warnings about squirrels, etc.) but it does not seem to be doing any good. I still keep making the same mistakes. Driving too fast or too slow, etc. I also have a special category of "parking" where every single time I park the car, I am informed about a better parking place nearby.
I have high hopes that the Autopilot will cure me of many of my nasty habits by taking me out of the loop. (Not sure it can take care of the parking problem, though the proposed "Autopark" function could improve operation in that area.)
All in all, I am looking forward to the new features... just have to come to terms with not having my hands on the steering wheel.

Don't feel badly, not everyone can be a quick learner. It's got to be a wonderful feeling knowing that the other person in the car with you is there to help you. :biggrin:

 

[Plug Me In]

I think my wife would be OK with autopilot as long as there was an audible "Careful!" or "Watch that car!" every 2-3 minutes.