Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Tesla Files Patent For Automatic Turn Signals (cnet.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the hands-free dept.

Tesla has filed a patent for automatic turn signals. The filing details a system that uses Autopilot sensors to determine when drivers are going to make a turn and signal automatically. CNET reports: Tesla wants its vehicles to signal automatically without the driver needing to go through the agony that is lifting their finger and moving it up or down by several inches. The way that Tesla envisions it working is that the car detects the driver's intent to change lanes or make a turn by using the Autopilot hardware at its disposal, it then works to sense if there are other vehicles nearby and if it detects them, it puts the signal on for the driver. If it works, it will be brilliant but given the fact that Tesla has remained adamant that it doesn't need driver monitoring systems for Autopilot, it seems questionable that the vehicle would be able to detect a driver's intent to turn based solely on external observation.

2 of 161 comments (clear)

  1. The point of turn signals by OzPeter · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The point of turn signals is not to engage when the turn is in progress, but to indicate the intent of a turn. Doing it when the drive is pulling on the wheel to make the turn will go against the road rules of many locales.

    Unless of course Tesla has developed a telepathic module for their cars. In which case I take back what I said.

    --
    I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
    1. Re:The point of turn signals by Nkwe · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The point of turn signals is not to engage when the turn is in progress, but to indicate the intent of a turn. Doing it when the drive is pulling on the wheel to make the turn will go against the road rules of many locales.

      In the addition, turn signals are supposed to be used whether *or not* there are other cars around. Technically some jurisdictions don't require signaling if there are no other vehicles around, but good driving practices suggest always signaling because 1) you might be wrong about no other vehicles being around (and if you haven't seen the other vehicle that is actually there, your signaling might just give the other driver enough warning that you are about to encroach on their space), and 2) always signaling builds a good habit and reduces one piece of driving cognitive load. If your brain isn't thinking about "do I have to single at this time" it has more cycles to think about other driving safety related issues.