Unnecessary new tech in cars

[autopal]

So, I test drove a 5 series and tried the gesture control. Whilst it's nice, and worked as advertised, it struck me as a technology that is really not necessary. I mean, how difficult is it to, say, adjust the radio volume by turning a knob, or using the button on the steering wheel? So I want to do a survey, and asked you guys what are some of the new techs in modern cars now that is really not necessary? Bearing in mind that all these options add weight, wether its extra cameras or motors for power steering column etc. And we all know how weight affect performance. Let's make a list. This is my list of nice stuff that I can do without, save some weight and money.
1) gesture control
2) foot activated trunk open
3) power steering column (manual is cheaper and lighter)
4) adaptive cruise control
5) air conditioned seats (maybe because I'm Canadian?)

[MightyMouseTech]

Will agree on most of that. Especially adaptive cruise. I would pay to NOT have that, so annoying.

But aircon seats? Mama, so nice!

[MeanMGN_F22]

From your list, the only really superfluous tech is the gesture control. I don't see much use in it apart from being a fun gimmick. Its almost more work than pressing a button on your steering wheel.

While the other additions are unnecessary, they are wildly helpful on a DD. For example, the foot gesture trunk open is super nice when your hands are full and you're fumbling around for keys.

[Uber Commuter]

I don't have it personally, but the foot wave one is actually pretty nice when your hands are full of bags or such.

Personally I am not a fan at all of the electro-nannies these days; adaptive cruise, blind spot detection, an lane departure warning among others... They are going too far towards not bothering to actually drive your car now.

I've seen people sitting in DC traffic reading a paper or a tablet, not even looking at the roadway and letting their car just follow traffic thanks to these systems...

[MalibuBimmer]

Different parts of the human mind control our gestures and our speech. It's complicated but the bottom line is that speech requires more "concentration" (or, relatedly, is more distracting) than fiddling with a switch or making gesture. BMW may have therefore added gesture control for that reason -- using the limbic system rather than those places in the brain where higher thought is processed.

If they did, in my humble opinion, it was still totally unnecessary. In that regard, I am reminded of the haptic feedback the early iDrive system had. Overly complicated, totally unnecessary, consuming enormous computing power. And a weak failure point on the old cars.

[opihi5]

Originally Posted by autopal

So, I test drove a 5 series and tried the gesture control. Whilst it's nice, and worked as advertised, it struck me as a technology that is really not necessary. I mean, how difficult is it to, say, adjust the radio volume by turning a knob, or using the button on the steering wheel? So I want to do a survey, and asked you guys what are some of the new techs in modern cars now that is really not necessary? Bearing in mind that all these options add weight, wether its extra cameras or motors for power steering column etc. And we all know how weight affect performance. Let's make a list. This is my list of nice stuff that I can do without, save some weight and money.
1) gesture control
2) foot activated trunk open
3) power steering column (manual is cheaper and lighter)
4) adaptive cruise control
5) air conditioned seats (maybe because I'm Canadian?)

What about those massive computer screens being put in cars....smh

[NickyC]

It's all crap. Overpriced crap and not needed.

Though, I have to ask myself if these gadgets are anymore useless than a car with say, 400+hp unless you live in Germany? ;D

[super-f20]

had keyless on my old E92 325i, total waste of money for me as I like to "pull" the handle after locking the door to check if its locked

[davis449]

Originally Posted by autopal

1) gesture control
2) foot activated trunk open
3) power steering column (manual is cheaper and lighter)
4) adaptive cruise control
5) air conditioned seats (maybe because I'm Canadian?)

1) Agreed, completely stupid and useless.
2) Absolutely awesome. No attempted messing around for the key when you're carrying something with two hands to put in the trunk.
3) I could go either way on this one, but I do think the electronic allows more precise positioning.
4) Agreed. I would pay NOT to have this as well.
5) With apologies to MightyMouseTech, it's because you're Canadian. Come down here and you'll see how useful they are 9+ mos. out of the year. That said, I won't buy a car without heated seats either. They're useful and awesome for the other +/- 3 mos. out of the year.

Others I can't stand:
1) Automatic braking, lane guidance, and automatic lane change. Unless the car is completely driverless, let me operate the damn car.
2) Yes, I hate blind spot monitoring. I have spent the time in a car with that feature and, no, I never got used to it. It was always a distraction.
3) Auto Stop/Start

[HighlandPete]

Isn't it a case of users wanting gadgets and tech.

Manufacturers (besides the sales), wanting to test and prove the tech, particularly the driving assistant options, ready for autonomous driving.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Isn't it a case of users wanting gadgets and tech.

Manufacturers (besides the sales), wanting to test and prove the tech, particularly the driving assistant options, ready for autonomous driving.

That's exactly what's driving a lot of this. We're in a weird quasi autonomous phase as new tech is developed and tested before we get all the way there. Auto makers will continue to include more and more of this tech as the transition takes place.

[Katin]

WIFI
NAV

[autopal]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

That's exactly what's driving a lot of this. We're in a weird quasi autonomous phase as new tech is developed and tested before we get all the way there. Auto makers will continue to include more and more of this tech as the transition takes place.

Agreed, and I guess things may change as I get older, but right now, I can't see myself buying a car that drive itself

[Spinnetti]

Originally Posted by autopal

So, I test drove a 5 series and tried the gesture control. Whilst it's nice, and worked as advertised, it struck me as a technology that is really not necessary. I mean, how difficult is it to, say, adjust the radio volume by turning a knob, or using the button on the steering wheel? So I want to do a survey, and asked you guys what are some of the new techs in modern cars now that is really not necessary? Bearing in mind that all these options add weight, wether its extra cameras or motors for power steering column etc. And we all know how weight affect performance. Let's make a list. This is my list of nice stuff that I can do without, save some weight and money.
1) gesture control
2) foot activated trunk open
3) power steering column (manual is cheaper and lighter)
4) adaptive cruise control
5) air conditioned seats (maybe because I'm Canadian?)

I'm with you on all but the seats, but then again I'm in Texas where 27c feels a bit chilly. Add power seats which are dumb too. All this junk is why the cars are so heavy. I don't even care about power windows and mirrors. When I lived north and was younger, I'd buy cars with manual everything (when you still could), yank out the AC and other weighty components and put in race seats on most of my cars. I've got a AE86 Corolla at 2030lb and a Lexus LS400 that I got down to 3,000lb but had to get a little crazy to do that

One "feature" I do like which adds zero weight is automatic hazards... When I brake really hard, it automatically turns on the flashers.. its how I know I was fully using the brakes

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by autopal

Agreed, and I guess things may change as I get older, but right now, I can't see myself buying a car that drive itself

Drive itself, never say never but doesn't appeal to me right now. That said, prevent me from killing myself? Sure. Just went through the process of getting dad a sport wagon with every available safety feature. We are 5 years out based on my educated guess but autonomous aside the ability to just fall asleep driving or do something stupid and drive into a telephone pole is going to get MUCH harder, which is a good thing. I only say 5 years due to design cycles it could be here sooner.

Hell even just from a mobility issue the top view camera is amazing. No more turning around to parallel park, straining your back to see things, etc.

[cenix]

How about

Lane departure
Self braking
Seat belt chimes
No oil dipsticks

Or other useless shit that makes the driver less responsible for his own driving and attention.

[Wolf 335]

How about:

Auto Rain sensing wipers.
God damn Seatbelt extender.
Turning headlights.

[Wolf 335]

How about:

Auto Rain sensing wipers.
God damn Seatbelt extender.
Turning headlights.

[Germanauto]

Of OP's list, I'd only say that gesture control is useless. The rest of his list are good features, especially the ventilated seats.

Another addition: BMW's recent feature to make the 7er and 5er drive themselves forward and backward out of narrow parking spaces. Absolutely 100% pointless and stupid feature.

[lowbudgethero]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

How about:

Auto Rain sensing wipers.
God damn Seatbelt extender.
Turning headlights.

Turning headlights are amazing when you're driving on a backroad at night full of deer

[Alfisti]

I despise the electric hand brake button and these fucked up shifters for autos.

[jpnh]

I would be happy with a 400hp inline 6 with 6MT and LSD
Keep the electronic engine management
Eliminate ALL of the electronic stability/traction nannies entirely
Keep anti lock braking but provide a kill switch
Keep airbags etc
Eliminate all of the modern connected car crap and maintain USB
I'll take a normal keyed ignition switch and door locks please

Keep it simple