Hey mom look...no hands!!!

Thanks to a 16.9oz bottle of Aquafina, I may or may not have driven most of the way from Philadelphia to Michigan entirely “hands free” while using cruise control (*with minimal exceptions*).

Theoretically...by wedging an “unopened” bottle of Aquafina into bottom opening of steering wheel, it removes need for intermittent driver contact with steering wheel as required by system alerts. The pressure and weight of water bottle tricks system into thinking your hands are on the wheel, therefore doing the steering for you “hands free”.

*Couple of theoretic caveats*
- Highway speeds preferred to avoid “ping-pong” effect observed at lower speeds
- Avoid using on curvy highways as system aided steering cannot hold on sharper curves (mountains sections)
- Lack of visible lane markers detected by system will require driver input (i,e. Construction zones, poorly painted line makers, etc.,)
- Initiating a lane change will require driver input
- Don’t allow bottle to protrude too far through wheel as-to interfere with turn-signal, etc,.
- Remove before exiting highway or making any suddenly rotations of steering wheel as above scenario could happen (don’t ask how I know)
- Always be alert for any steering or braking input
- Bottle must remain “unopened” as it needs bottle pressure to override sensors - need to use skinny version 16.9oz bottle found in 30 packs at most stores.
- Tried using tennis ball for less bulky alternative but I couldn’t replicate the same scenario

 

Not sure if this is serious, but at the very least it's someone who is either bored or lacking grey matter...either way it spells dangerous for the people in the car and others on the road.

 

From the tone of his post, I’m sure he was very alert and attentive and ready to jump in if necessary. I too love the combination of these features

 

…. but wait, where does the duct tape go?

I'm afraid I must agree with concerns posted earlier (if you are indeed serious). These lane keep assist technologies are only intended as an aid to the driver, not a replacement for the [driver/common sense]. I couldn't imagine trying to subvert the car's system because it is too much effort to keep my hands on the steering wheel. When I drive, it is safety first and I'm afraid this does not meet that criteria. I am hoping you were just kidding.

 

Absurd and irresponsible.

 

I don't think trying to defeat nags is ever a good idea. There are a number of my fellow Tesla drivers who do this too, using water bottles, cantaloupes and who knows what else. These systems aren't nearly good enough to lull drivers into a false sense of security. Please let's not encourage this.

 

Tesla's Autopilot is far more advanced than Lexus and yet many people that have made the mistake to completely trust it, paid the ultimate price. In other words, don't be a numb nut!

Tesla crashes

 

Does making you keep your hand on the steering wheel really make you any safer?

 

Theres an award that I fail to remember that comes with this form of logic......


Yea dont do that.

 

You think NO hands on the wheel is no different than hands ON the wheel from a safety perspective??

 

I'm posing the question, not answering it.

Maybe they should make you keep your foot on the brake in order to use cruise control. That would be safer, wouldn't it?

 

I believe you are referring to the Darwin Awards.

I've seen posts on the CL boards from people who trusted features like lane centering assist and all-speed cruise control more than they should have and who ended up in collisions.

If people want to risk their lives or well-being, I won't deny them that right, but I do have an issue when people think that their right to do so extends to the point that it risks the life and safety of others.

I have no interest in using any form of auto pilot, and I strongly believe that it should not be legal to use autonomous driving on any public roadways. I may re-think this only after NASCAR starts to equip vehicles with auto pilot and they can successfully complete a 500 mile race without even scraping fenders with another car or the wall.

 

But the brake diengages cruise control for the last 40 years. Common sense works well. No hands on the wheel is not common sense. Even Caddy SuperCruise requires attentiveness or it disables.

 

Don't forget to take a nap in your free time