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A comment on The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks. Parent comment

Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by amatecha on Tuesday March 28, 2023 @10:59PM (#35351732)
I feel like the solution to this would be to mandate a certain degree of visibility all around a vehicle. I mean, the backup camera on the vehicle I recently rented became borderline useless after a couple days, because of constant rainy weather ensuring the camera was always completely covered in dirt and mud. The image was like if you took a 160x120 photo and scaled it up and then applied some kind of "splatter dirt" filter on top. I just didn't even use it, because looking out the actual windows (like I always do) was more effective. If a vehicle is designed in such a way to literally not even allow proper visibility, that should exclude its acceptance onto the market.
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Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by ryukafalz on Tuesday March 28, 2023 @11:32PM (#35352030)
> If a vehicle is designed in such a way to literally not even allow proper visibility, that should exclude its acceptance onto the market.

I mean, 100% agree on that.

As for the usefulness of backup cameras... I don't have one myself but I've rented a few cars with them and they do give you significantly more visibility when backing up than the rear window can provide, even in a reasonably sized sedan. But sure, rain might interfere. I don't think the fact that it's not perfect means it's not useful.

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Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by brewdad on Wednesday March 29, 2023 @12:25AM (#35352554)
I have a VW Golf and they solved the rain problem by hiding the camera in the hatchback latch. It pops out when you need it and hides away behind the badge when you don’t.

I haven’t priced out what replacing that little motor will cost someday.

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Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by jabl on Wednesday March 29, 2023 @01:48AM (#35353133)
I have a Toyota Verso, and the backup camera is close to the tailgate handle, beside the license plate. No moving parts etc, and rain per se isn't a problem, however it tends to get dirty in foul weather. I have a habit of just wiping the lens with my thumb every now and then, works well enough.

And yes, it definitely makes parking in a tight spot easier.

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Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by burkaman on Tuesday March 28, 2023 @11:40PM (#35352107)
Nobody is going to disagree that windows should give as much visibility as possible and people should know how to drive with them, but it's not physically possible to see something (or someone) on the ground close behind your car without a camera. I'd recommend testing with a traffic cone or something, I think you might be surprised how far back a little kid has to be before you can see them in the mirror even in a small car.

If you won't use them, you should at least be happy that other people have them so they don't back into you. Cars are dangerous.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/the-danger-of-bl...

https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/rearview-cameras-reduce-pol...

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Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by devbent on Wednesday March 29, 2023 @01:10AM (#35352906)
The problem is crash test requirements require cars be built in a way that limits visibility. Giant pillars in case of a roll over, and lots of air bags stuffed everywhere.

Something had to give, and that thing was visibility.

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Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by Thlom on Wednesday March 29, 2023 @02:42AM (#35353489)
i almost crashed the other day because a car was "hiding" behind the A(?) pillar. I was driving through the same intersection I do every day, looked both ways and made sure no cars were coming from another close by intersection. It was clear, or so I thought. When I turned left onto the road I suddenly had a car on right. It must have been perfectly behind the A-pillar when I approached the intersection and when I started to turn left. Scary.
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Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by fomine3 on Wednesday March 29, 2023 @03:38AM (#35353873)
The camera on your rent car seems to garbage. My car's camera works on 99% of the time. It's better to design a car with better view, but also rear camera is a huge upgrade for safety.
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Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by nebula8804 on Wednesday March 29, 2023 @06:55AM (#35355320)
I imagine the "360 degree view" cameras that are being introduced in luxury cars will make their way down to all cars eventually.

[1]:https://youtu.be/Vs0HCITcP-4?t=936

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Re:The EV Transition Is Harder Than Anyone Thinks by kalleboo on Thursday March 30, 2023 @08:49AM (#35371824)
I have a $14,000 Suzuki kei car from 2016 which came with that 360 parking view, so the technology itself isn't expensive or really that exclusive.

This was my first car after getting my driver's license so I'm afraid I'll never be able to park in a car without it...

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