Blinking CHMSLs

Started by Laconian, December 15, 2017, 03:29:55 PM

Laconian

I'm seeing more and more cars with brake lights that blink about 3 times whenever the driver presses the brakes. I hope this isn't going to be a permanent feature of the automotive landscape. It feels like it's signaling a panic stopping condition where no such emergency exists.
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

MX793

This is a popular aftermarket mod for motorcycles.  It's supposed to draw more attention that the rider is applying the brakes.  I've seen emergency vehicles (ambulances and fire engines) using this tech as well.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

CaminoRacer

It definitely works well. It'd be nice if it only activated at a certain threshold (similar to how some cars will activate the blinkers during a panic stop)
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

Laconian

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 15, 2017, 04:45:55 PM
It'd be nice if it only activated at a certain threshold (similar to how some cars will activate the blinkers during a panic stop)

Right, I think that makes sense. But the Odyssey in front of me was blink-blink-blinking constantly during low speed stop and go.

It might be effective at catching attention for now, but oblivious drivers will learn to ignore it, too.
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

giant_mtb

Sounds annoying, I've yet to see this on the roads.  But hey, it gets your attention, so it must be the right thing to do!

Xer0

Quote from: Laconian on December 15, 2017, 03:29:55 PM
I'm seeing more and more cars with brake lights that blink about 3 times whenever the driver presses the brakes. I hope this isn't going to be a permanent feature of the automotive landscape. It feels like it's signaling a panic stopping condition where no such emergency exists.

I see it on Hyundai's and it annoys me a ton, especially when people just keep hitting the brakes.

Soup DeVille

Seen it.

It's cancer.

Almost as bad as GMs that turn on the reverse lights when they aren't in reverse.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

Speed_Racer

I've seen them - they strobe too slow to be signify an emergency stop, it just looks like the driver is indecisive about applying the brakes.

The previous owner installed a brake strobe thing on my V-Strom. When I apply the brakes it goes 2 second solid brake light - 2 sec very fast running light/brake light strobe - back to a solid brake light until I let off the brakes. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet

Morris Minor

When we reach Total Autonomous, there won't be brake lights.
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

r0tor

I wish BMW's 2 stage brake lights would become common place... Basically you get a set of lights for stopping and an extra set for "oh sh!t"
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

ifcar

Quote from: r0tor on December 19, 2017, 05:23:58 AM
I wish BMW's 2 stage brake lights would become common place... Basically you get a set of lights for stopping and an extra set for "oh sh!t"

I've thought it would sort of cool to have brake lights as a set of LEDs on which more and more of the little bulbs would turn on the harder the pedal is pressed.

Morris Minor

Quote from: ifcar on December 19, 2017, 06:02:21 AM
I've thought it would sort of cool to have brake lights as a set of LEDs on which more and more of the little bulbs would turn on the harder the pedal is pressed.
That would be a good idea. This would help with traffic backed up because of the cumulative effect of low-functioning drivers ahead who keep touching the brakes for no good reason.
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

Soup DeVille

Quote from: Morris Minor on December 19, 2017, 05:09:48 AM
When we reach Total Autonomous, there won't be brake lights.

Actually, I think we'll have big strobes on everything. They might not be necessary anymore, but I'll bet they'll still be required.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

Soup DeVille

Quote from: ifcar on December 19, 2017, 06:02:21 AM
I've thought it would sort of cool to have brake lights as a set of LEDs on which more and more of the little bulbs would turn on the harder the pedal is pressed.

Delphi had a truck that did that a number of years ago at he auto show, trying to sell that as a feature.
I guess it never took off.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

CaminoRacer

Quote from: Soup DeVille on December 19, 2017, 09:27:52 AM
Actually, I think we'll have big strobes on everything. They might not be necessary anymore, but I'll bet they'll still be required.

Waste of energy. Future tech needs to reduce light usage.
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

Soup DeVille

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 19, 2017, 10:05:37 AM
Waste of energy. Future tech needs to reduce light usage.

LEDs man. Not enough energy usage there to worry about.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

CaminoRacer

Quote from: Soup DeVille on December 19, 2017, 10:06:46 AM
LEDs man. Not enough energy usage there to worry about.

I'd be interested in seeing how much energy would be saved if all cars could go dark at night thanks to autonomous driving. Per car it's a tiny amount of energy but across the country and world it could add up.
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

giant_mtb

Star gazing while cruising along in the dark with a giant panoramic sunroof would be awesome.

CaminoRacer

Quote from: giant_mtb on December 19, 2017, 11:22:03 AM
Star gazing while cruising along in the dark with a giant panoramic sunroof would be awesome.

I've done that while driving through Wyoming. Road is so straight you don't need to look at it very often.
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

Laconian

Quote from: giant_mtb on December 19, 2017, 11:22:03 AM
Star gazing while cruising along in the dark with a giant panoramic sunroof convertible would be awesome.

While playing this song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKjwSp94n8s

Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

Soup DeVille

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 19, 2017, 10:08:23 AM
I'd be interested in seeing how much energy would be saved if all cars could go dark at night thanks to autonomous driving. Per car it's a tiny amount of energy but across the country and world it could add up.

Even if they could, I don't think they would. People are going to be in those cars.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

Laconian

I don't think autonomous cars will run in the dark. Reflected visible light is still a valuable data source, to be combined with lidar and radar reflection data.

It's probably not necessary to drive the lights at 2000 lumens, though; CCDs are way more sensitive than human eyes and will only become more sensitive in the future.
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

AutobahnSHO

Just put infrared dots on corners. In patterns to mark front vs. Rear.

Same technology Wii remotes use.
Will

Soup DeVille

Technologically, it could be done.

I still think though that people will need to see where they're going- at least psychogically.

People will definitely need to see cars on the road in most cases.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

Laconian

Quote from: Soup DeVille on December 19, 2017, 04:30:49 PM
Technologically, it could be done.

I still think though that people will need to see where they're going- at least psychogically.

People will definitely need to see cars on the road in most cases.

An augmented reality HUD with false color renderings would be pretty fucking cool.
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

r0tor

Quote from: ifcar on December 19, 2017, 06:02:21 AM
I've thought it would sort of cool to have brake lights as a set of LEDs on which more and more of the little bulbs would turn on the harder the pedal is pressed.

I had that thought about 10 years ago... Even did a patent search for it but it was already covered 17 ways from sunday
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

MX793

I think one of the premium Euro makes (BMW or Audi) has brake lights that light up brighter under hard braking than more gentle braking.  And, obviously, many of them also have automatic 4-ways for full-on panic stop situations.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

CaminoRacer

Quote from: Laconian on December 19, 2017, 05:17:52 PM
An augmented reality HUD with false color renderings would be pretty fucking cool.

Probably uses more power than lights, though. :lol:
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

Laconian

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 19, 2017, 06:23:32 PM
Probably uses more power than lights, though. :lol:

Dimming lights would be more interesting from a light pollution POV than power savings. In terms of absolute power consumption, lighting is a drop in the bucket compared to moving the car and keeping it heated/cooled.
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT