The turn signal is an incredibly useful feature in a car. It pre-empts other drivers of one’s intent to change driving direction, but frustratingly, few actually bother using it. Well, Tesla has filed for a new patent to help curb the global plague by automatically activating turn signals in vehicles.
According to CNET, the technology uses a number of self-driving data sources (part of its Autopilot system), fed by steering angle sensors, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and more to determine if the driver wants to change lanes or simply make a turn. Once done computing, the system looks for other vehicles within the car’s immediate vicinity and activates the turn signals.
Tesla says an automated system is better than the current reminders (active systems such as Lane Keeping Assist) used in cars that try to get the driver to turn their blinkers on. The patent is international, and the Californian automaker plans to use its sensors and onboard processor to make this work.
The patent description reads: “A vehicle, such as a car, hosts a turn signal light source, such as a bulb, which is manually activated by a driver of the vehicle, such as when making a turn or switching lanes. When activated, the turn signal light source visually notifies others, such pedestrians and the drivers of other vehicles, that the vehicle may change its direction of travel by, for example, turning onto another road or switching road lanes.”
“However, since the turn signal light source is manually activated by the driver, there are often times when the driver neglects to activate the turn signal light source before changing its direction of travel. This situation can be dangerous, especially on high speed roads, and is often a cause of vehicle accidents or instances of road rage.”
Further details of the system has yet to be revealed, but if Tesla is going out of its way to fight this abysmal problem that is global, then what use is the stalk – which has been very carefully designed to be within reach – if not to make driving safer and less stressful for all? Are you in favour of this automated technology by Tesla? Share your thoughts, below.
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Have they solved their killer AI yet? Solve your own problem first, before indulging in others, please.
the signal light is meant to “signal” the driver’s intention to turn right or left while giving advanced 2-3 secs warning to other road users…
i wonder how the system will “read” the drivers mind… when even human cant do it…
if activating the signal automatically at the point when wheels are already turned or still turning, it is considered too late to warn others I think hence rendering the system useless & just a gimmick
Exactly. Turn signal is redundant, few actually bother using it here when change lane or jump Q
I think Tesla will rely on navigation data for this point to see if the car needs to turn left or right. If the driver wants to just switch lanes, it will detect if there are any other vehicles nearby and signals. On the other hand we in Malaysia should have driver not being able to steer e.g. steering movement is locked until indicator is used
Hahahah
I knew this day would come.
How hard to use turn signal?
In MY? Veli hard apparently, like asking them to sacrifice 1st born son.
Sombong MY driver dun use signal becuz we got super huge Ego #Adabkatmana
think of this idea after 1 year using garmin nuvi. my plan is to mark on maps for turn signal as trigger. but no idea how to connect to light.
AI making life easier and humans replaceable.
When humans have been reduced to idiocy, its time to replace them. Evolution dictates that superior sentients (AI) will rise and rule.
Signal is one of the basics of driving. So if one cannot do it they shouldn’t drive.
..a feature desperately needed in Msia..most fuctards here just too lazy to flick their fingers..
Proton, perodua! Did u read this?
hahaha… reduce idiot factor.
reduce idiot factor. best thing i’ve seen on internet today. so many drivers on the road – either signal stick sudah patah or they wanna save money hence didnt pay for the signal lamps when they buy the car (sarcasm intended) or they are just stupid not knowing their car had signal lamps – NEVER SEEM TO USE SIGNAL LAMPS WHEN CUTTING LANES OR TURNING INTO CORNERS. this has to stop.
GEN 1 Drivers
Malaysian drivers are very good, actually. Drivers can switch lane, lighting-fast that signalling is not required at all. IMAGINE that lane oredi changed before the 1st signal light blinks!.
GEN 2 Drivers
Malaysian drivers becoming psychic. Each and every driver can read the intention of other drivers, where to go and when to turn.
Malaysia will be the 1st country in the world to proof signal lamp is irrelevant.
This is not suitable for German highways where people are often driving above 200km/h and changing lanes within a fraction of seconds. We always turn on signals here irrespective whether or not there is any other car in immediate vicinity.