New techno-wizardry for Toyota's Prius

Not a fan of this auto-park feature...soon the computers will be telling us we can't pull into that drive-thru, it's unhealthy!

 

Its called the new "Healthy Lifestyles" option and will be added mid-year (or was that "mid-waist").

 

Did you catch that paragraph?

"The parking monitor uses a rear-mounted miniature TV camera to show the driver the area immediately behind the vehicle. This can be overlaid with guidelines to make reverse manoeuvres simpler and safer."

How the heck do the "guidelines" get overlaid on the Prius MFD screen view?

 

Not that I have a need or want for it, but the main gripe I had with the auto park feature was that it was toooooo sloooooow!........

Looks like that may be fixed! See below a copy portion from the link...

 

If the computer can manouver the car to get it in the spot why can't it control the accellerator and brake. I'd feel a whole lot more comfortable if the computer controlled the whole thing instead of the split functions the way it is described.

 

If it did that it may be very easy to not pay attention and back over someone or thing.
They did forget about the steering wheel.. in the pictures you steer it..I don't know with this one.

I would feel alot safer to maintain control of the speed in case of something unforseen I could immediately act.

 

I cannot recall the last time I had trouble parking, because
I have never had trouble parking. I would rather see them
put their efforts into other things such as additional meters
and gauges that tell the driver how their driving habits are
affecting the wear/tear, usage/consumption of other parts
of the car. This would do more for educating the prospective
Prius owner about changing their driving habits, and thus
making the roads safer, more pleasant to drive in, better
flow of traffic.etc.

This option puts me to sleep, that is, takes the driver out of
the picture, just as conventional cars have done for years
by not informing the driver about gas consumption and current
mpg. It makes me wonder if Toyota is really thinking deeply
about the Prius as instructional and habit changing. An option
like this does not increase the instructional value of the car, but
rather decreases it.

The average driver needs more informative meters in the car
that will display the effects of their bad habits on different parts
of the car....bad habits such as racing up to redlights to gain pole
position, tailgating, careening around corners. This is apparent to
me daily when I see other Prius drivers doing these very things,
thus proving that the majority of people who are purchasing the car
are getting into it and driving it mostly like they drove their previous
gas only car. I have yet to see another Prius owner on the road
making use of any of the driving practises mentioned in the forum
for obtaining better MPG.

Perhaps it is because we are going the same speed and so the
chances of meeting are significantly reduced

 

Here is a video showing parallel parking with the IPA

http://www.john2211.nl/Hybride_overige_fil...le_parkeren.wmv

 

I think it's a legal issue. Once you allow robotic control of the motion of a vehicle capable of going more than a few MPH in the United States, you have to meet a whole series of regualtions including flashing lights and horns. Keeping the car under some driver control prevents it from falling under that classification.

 

I think you can fail as many as three items now?....

They don't make it as hard as they used to... otherwise it would be descriminating against the people who can't drive! :lol: :lol:

 

The Japaneese Prius have had this option since '04 except then you only had to control the brake not the accelerator.

 

It does control the accelerator. It's the same as the Japanese system.

 

Thats cool, I like how they do it with the adjustable rectangle. I wouldn't pay extra for it, but if it came with the car I could amaze my family and friends.

 

with any luck and judging by the products and response of the vendor, you will have your wish very shortly. eflier makes the CANVIEW which provides TONS of vital information and an increaseingly greater volume of the data that is passed back and forth amongst the many computers working together on the Prius.

2006's are not supported yet but your model may not be all that far away. to be honest with ya, if eflier had a 2006 to work with, there is no doubt he could have a working model in very very short time. as far as vendors goes. he is by far the most impressive that i have worked with

 

If you have VSC the car already modifies the breaks and the steering if you are in a skid. Computer control is closer than you think it is here.

 

I'm sorry but perhaps toyota left out some pages in my manual as I can find no information on Auto-Park, Can someone who is familar with this feature direct me to where I might read where it is on 2006 Prius and to what purpose it serves?

Thanks lots
Roger