SEMA 2025

[jsmith]

I live in a rural area and have hit several deer and various other animals. My experience has been that you see the animal just as you hit it, during night hours, anyway. Animals, especially deer, seem to suffer fright and jump in front of the car at the last moment. At night, it is particularly dangerous. During daylight hours, I have seen deer do the same; I have also watched them cross a field, jump the fence, and run in front of me, never having seen me.

A HUD projected onto the windshield is one thing, but I am not sure whether taking my eyes off the road to look at a screen that alerts me to an animal on the road is wise. It would certainly slow reaction time and braking.

Accuracy will play a lot in usefulness. If the Vantrue Thermal Camera gives an ACCURATE audible alert in advance of an animal being detected, then you'd likely look at screen and brake. If the system beeps for every object detected, or doesn't give an audible alert, then the usefulness is significantly diminished. As you put it, "No one is going to take their eyes off road to watch a screen".

 

[TonyM]

Forward collision warning would likely include large Animal Detection, although does it also brake if it detects a crash is imminent or just sound an alarm?

It sounds an alarm, and the word BRAKE appears within the instrument cluster. I've triggered it coasting up to traffic lights when there's a car waiting there but I can see the lights are changing to green.

 

[TonyM]

If the Vantrue Thermal Camera gives an ACCURATE audible alert in advance of an animal being detected, then you'd likely look at screen and brake. If the system beeps for every object detected, or doesn't give an audible alert, then the usefulness is significantly diminished.

If the P2 has simar voice alerts to the S1 Pro Max, you will have hit the deer before the voice finishes saying "the animal ahead is too close", so I hope they have chosen a more direct alert.

 

[lufa6977]

There are some ADAS features like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, admittedly I've turned off lane departure warning. Unfortunately there's no blind spot monitor on this car.

My original point was that I thought ADAS was not so common, but on reflection I can see I was wrong.

Well, not entirely wrong. 🙂 There are a lot of older, used cars on the road in the U.S. simply because newer cars are more expensive. My Outback is 13 years old and has none of the Eyesight-type features, which I am glad about. Most of the features make driving unpleasant due to their constant alerting. The only safety feature I found valuable was the collision warning system, which automatically brakes the car if it is about to rear-end the vehicle ahead. The rest are an annoyance for me.

 

[jsmith]

Well, not entirely wrong. 🙂 There are a lot of older, used cars on the road in the U.S. simply because newer cars are more expensive. My Outback is 13 years old and has none of the Eyesight-type features, which I am glad about. Most of the features make driving unpleasant due to their constant alerting. The only safety feature I found valuable was the collision warning system, which automatically brakes the car if it is about to rear-end the vehicle ahead. The rest are an annoyance for me.

The more electronics, the costlier to repair. Plus, vehicle technology ages VERY poorly. New systems are coming out every year, making old one's obsolete. I've got blindspot (which lights up on either mirror), Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Backup Camera, and City Safety. Pretty basic as I didn't get all the bells and whistles when I bought new 10 years ago. Like you, I don't see the need to spend a fortune on a newer car, when mine works perfectly find.

I find Lane Departure (where car pulls back into lane) scary as hell. I had a rental Volvo, didn't know it was enabled, and in the snow it almost caused an accident. I don't need a system jerking me back into my lane! Adaptive Cruise Control is nice, but not necessary. Plus, it can make you complacent on long drives, by taking your attention away from road.

My benchmark is Front + Side Airbags, + Volvo Has Seat Airbags, too. Plus, being able to safely withstand a crash. Subarus are known for their safety, too. I agree, there are probably many old cars on the road around the world. My train of thought on safety is if the car has sufficient airbags and the ability to protect you in a crash. Everything else (ADA's) is a bonus.

 

[Augustus]

There are some ADAS features like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, admittedly I've turned off lane departure warning. Unfortunately there's no blind spot monitor on this car.

My original point was that I thought ADAS was not so common, but on reflection I can see I was wrong.

Your car would have AEB as well too I'm sure, which is also ADAS. which would automatically brake the car if you got too close when travelling too fast , to a car in front. Lane departure warning I find annoying at times so also turn off, blind spot is handy

 

[Augustus]

I live in a rural area and have hit several deer and various other animals. My experience has been that you see the animal just as you hit it, during night hours, anyway. Animals, especially deer, seem to suffer fright and jump in front of the car at the last moment. At night, it is particularly dangerous. During daylight hours, I have seen deer do the same; I have also watched them cross a field, jump the fence, and run in front of me, never having seen me.

A HUD projected onto the windshield is one thing, but I am not sure whether taking my eyes off the road to look at a screen that alerts me to an animal on the road is wise. It would certainly slow reaction time and braking.

Fair point

 

[Augustus]

Forward collision warning would likely include large Animal Detection, although does it also brake if it detects a crash is imminent or just sound an alarm?

Forward collision warning is the beeping or visual displays, it's not the braking process by the car itself which is AEB - autonomous emergency braking. Both are part of ADAS

 

[Augustus]

The more electronics, the costlier to repair. Plus, vehicle technology ages VERY poorly. New systems are coming out every year, making old one's obsolete. I've got blindspot (which lights up on either mirror), Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Backup Camera, and City Safety. Pretty basic as I didn't get all the bells and whistles when I bought new 10 years ago. Like you, I don't see the need to spend a fortune on a newer car, when mine works perfectly find.

I find Lane Departure (where car pulls back into lane) scary as hell. I had a rental Volvo, didn't know it was enabled, and in the snow it almost caused an accident. I don't need a system jerking me back into my lane! Adaptive Cruise Control is nice, but not necessary. Plus, it can make you complacent on long drives, by taking your attention away from road.

My benchmark is Front + Side Airbags, + Volvo Has Seat Airbags, too. Plus, being able to safely withstand a crash. Subarus are known for their safety, too. I agree, there are probably many old cars on the road around the world. My train of thought on safety is if the car has sufficient airbags and the ability to protect you in a crash. Everything else (ADA's) is a bonus.

The more it costs to repair for them but not a big thing in hindsight as it's all dependent on your car insurance and how much you pay for that really. My car was stolen a few years back and the front sensors and rear sensors were all whacked along with the bumpers, replaced as good as new and worked fine as it did before

Lane departure has improved a lot, so while I turn off mine sometimes, the newer model years of my vehicle (Kia Cerato), have improved lane guidance (have had to drive a few rental cars since), so they've worked with either/both better sensors or algorithms. Either way, still miles better than what ADAS they're trying to implement in dashcams.

 

[jsmith]

The more it costs to repair for them but not a big thing in hindsight as it's all dependent on your car insurance and how much you pay for that really. My car was stolen a few years back and the front sensors and rear sensors were all whacked along with the bumpers, replaced as good as new and worked fine as it did before

Lane departure has improved a lot, so while I turn off mine sometimes, the newer model years of my vehicle (Kia Cerato), have improved lane guidance (have had to drive a few rental cars since), so they've worked with either/both better sensors or algorithms. Either way, still miles better than what ADAS they're trying to implement in dashcams.

Volvo's have a service where your car can be located and tracked. The cost factor is when items break and you have to pay for repair / replacement. The infotainment system in my vehicle is 10 years old, but its 1000 to replace the unit. It controls the radio, gps (which isn't carplay or android... too old), etc. If modules go, they are very expensive to replace, too. I'm not sure the insurance break for safety outweighs the cost of repairs if electronics go out after warranty.

Dashcam ADA's are definitely rudimentary. I've driven newer cars as rentals, but my own vehicle is now 10 years old. I won't purchase another car until it costs more to repair or no longer is reliable.

 

[Augustus]

Volvo's have a service where your car can be located and tracked. The cost factor is when items break and you have to pay for repair / replacement. The infotainment system in my vehicle is 10 years old, but its 1000 to replace the unit. It controls the radio, gps (which isn't carplay or android... too old), etc. If modules go, they are very expensive to replace, too. I'm not sure the insurance break for safety outweighs the cost of repairs if electronics go out after warranty.

Dashcam ADA's are definitely rudimentary. I've driven newer cars as rentals, but my own vehicle is now 10 years old. I won't purchase another car until it costs more to repair or no longer is reliable.

Hmmm could say the same for any car when mechanical components go wrong after such a long period of time and warranty period is finished - I don't think it's miles above what's already there in terms of costs. If it went after a few years however I'd be pushing really hard to be replaced under warranty. Insurance for older cars over ten years are quite expensive anyway, because of limited components and the age of the components should they need to be replaced or fixed should one get In a crash.

Which is the point you make anyways about not needing to purchase another vehicle until the cost to repair, or it's no longer reliable.

 

[jsmith]

Hmmm could say the same for any car when mechanical components go wrong after such a long period of time and warranty period is finished - I don't think it's miles above what's already there in terms of costs. If it went after a few years however I'd be pushing really hard to be replaced under warranty. Insurance for older cars over ten years are quite expensive anyway, because of limited components and the age of the components should they need to be replaced or fixed should one get In a crash.

Which is the point you make anyways about not needing to purchase another vehicle until the cost to repair, or it's no longer reliable.

I think insurance companies care about a car's safety record more than the ADA's installed. My 10 year old car has Front + Side + Seat Airbags. Volvos are known for their safety track records (Repair costs are exorbitant) . There have been discussions on a Volvo Forum how the LED Active Bending Headlights on Newer Volvo's an total out a vehicle if damaged in a car accident. Active Bending LED's are fantastic and that's the one feature I regret not getting, as my vehicle has Halogen lights. None the less, if they break or malfunction, outside of warranty, the car could be toast.

Ultimately, yes, I am driving my car until it drives no more. I've got 270,000 KM on my vehicle in 10 years. Chugging along without issue and so far just regular maintenance outside warranty.

 

[EricSan]

Unfortunately there's no blind spot monitor on this car.

My car has a ton of tech in it, but this is still the best blind spot system for commuters in heavy traffic. Hard to beat the price or the reliability 🙂

 

[mentadent]

I couldn't crash my Prius if I tried, so many safety systems.

 

[TonyM]

My car has a ton of tech in it, but this is still the best blind spot system for commuters in heavy traffic. Hard to beat the price or the reliability 🙂

View attachment 87717

Thanks for the suggestion, though my side mirror view is already wide enough that an adjacent passing car appears in my view before if has left the mirror view.

 

[Augustus]

Thanks for the suggestion, though my side mirror view is already wide enough that an adjacent passing car appears in my view before if has left the mirror view.

I remember that Corolla mirror is quite wide as you say, had it as a hire car a few times

 

[lufa6977]

My car has a ton of tech in it, but this is still the best blind spot system for commuters in heavy traffic. Hard to beat the price or the reliability 🙂

View attachment 87717

Had those on my work vehicle; they were great. Drivers around here love to ride in the blind spot of another car. I can speed up and clear that, but then they feel they need to keep up with me and move back into my blind spot. At that point, I crowd the center line to make them aware of where they are. Works every time. They will either back off or speed up and then put me in their blind spot. I then back off and let them get well ahead. That usually happens in light traffic, so there is no need to drive side-by-side. In heavy Northern Virginia traffic, you keep your head on a swivel.

 

[kamkar]

There are a lot of older, used cars on the road in the U.S

Denmark use to host the oldest car fleet in Europe, this by reason of the Insane price for cars here, which have always been buy 1 car - pay for 2 ,,,,,,, or more.
This also why we got the biannual car inspections. CUZ Danes was driving wrecks that could fall apart at any moment.

 

[jsmith]

Had those on my work vehicle; they were great. Drivers around here love to ride in the blind spot of another car. I can speed up and clear that, but then they feel they need to keep up with me and move back into my blind spot. At that point, I crowd the center line to make them aware of where they are. Works every time. They will either back off or speed up and then put me in their blind spot. I then back off and let them get well ahead. That usually happens in light traffic, so there is no need to drive side-by-side. In heavy Northern Virginia traffic, you keep your head on a swivel.

Blindspot is a wonderful ADA built into newer vehicles and one I find extremely useful.

 

[Augustus]

I think insurance companies care about a car's safety record more than the ADA's installed. My 10 year old car has Front + Side + Seat Airbags. Volvos are known for their safety track records (Repair costs are exorbitant) . There have been discussions on a Volvo Forum how the LED Active Bending Headlights on Newer Volvo's an total out a vehicle if damaged in a car accident. Active Bending LED's are fantastic and that's the one feature I regret not getting, as my vehicle has Halogen lights. None the less, if they break or malfunction, outside of warranty, the car could be toast.

Ultimately, yes, I am driving my car until it drives no more. I've got 270,000 KM on my vehicle in 10 years. Chugging along without issue and so far just regular maintenance outside warranty.

Yeah I think most brands are on a level playing field when it comes to ADAS and safety now. Of course you have the more 'luxury' car brands trying new tech that sometimes trickles down to cheaper brands and price points, sometimes not. But with crash testing folks like Euro NCAP, ANCAP etc all mandating certain safety tech for new vehicles on sale , it's all becoming a rather moot point.