Mick Briesgau
Tire Trailblazer
This shows how utter useless gesture control is. The Benz system is absolute superior. Typical "Schwaebischer" Art of engineering.
Vs W213 E-Class and it`s technological implementation vs. The Competition.
- Thread starter Mick Briesgau
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Mr. Mercedes
Premium
While the E solution looks excellent, MB will undoubtedly embrace gesture control at some stage. It's the future. BMW just got there first in this instance. Like HUD. The real major advances will be when they integrate gesture control with a much more extensive use of HUD.
Given the new interface on the E, Audi had a very short stint of exclusivity with their 'virtual cockpit'.
CarPlay being a no show on the 7 is a very poor outcome for BMW. Especially for a brand new technological tour de force. That said I hate how the phone has to be plugged in. Makes the wireless charging docks redundant really.
klier
Premium
Typical backwards thinking you mean.
But I'm sure you'll get used to it, and by the time MB has something you might be used to the idea. These touchpads are nice, but just a slight evolution over the clicking wheels many steering wheels already feature.
I once read the MB buyers hold the brand back tech wise, and I believe that's the case indeed.
It's the opposite for BMW buyers, they like tech. A big difference.
LaArtist
Wunderkind of Wheels
Who ever wrote what you read must be an idiot..haha
LaArtist
Wunderkind of Wheels
yes and the 7er owner is 18 and has 150K to spend on Petronas AMG edition BMW 7er
LaArtist
Wunderkind of Wheels
check the 7er thread
Yaz
Autotechnik Ace
My guess is safety.
No, I disagree. Mercedes clearly stated that taking your hands off the wheel is a distraction to motor vehicle operation. This is why thay did not opt to use such a system in the new E-Class.
Gesture control is "eye candy" that you can show your passengers what your car can do with you playing around with your fingers. It is a distraction and does not promote basic vehicle operation. There is no real world logic to it at all.
Mr. Mercedes
Premium
They also said HUD displays were distracting. But often department heads change or marketing wins out. That said in the case of gesture control, they've shown concept vehicles with gesture control, so I don't think it's a matter of them not wanting to implement the technology, but more of a case of them no being ready.
It may also be cost prohibitive at the moment, hence the E missed out for the time being. That said, mark my words, Mercedes will have gesture control in the next 3-5 years if not earlier on one model on another.
Zafiro
Supreme Roadmaster
I agree. Like it or not, it's coming.
martinbo
Staff member
No, I don't subscribe to this train of thought. Taking one hand off the steering wheel is a common and certainly not an unsafe activity. EVERYONE does it presently and all car makers currently facilitate such practice. Your argument of both hands on the steering wheel obviating the viability of gesture control is flawed when ALL of the present instrument panel interfaces require a hand movement off the steering wheel. Oh, and remember that thing called a manual gearbox? People have been taking their hands from a wheel to a lever for decades and I can assure you that this action is no cause for driver distraction compared to operating a vehicle whilst on a phone call - automatic or not! You've missed it completely.
deity
Highway Hunter
Increasing the volume (the most widely marketed application of gesture control) does NOT require removing your hand off the steering wheel. A simple press of the button on the steering wheel does the trick.
The problem most people have with gesture control is that it does not make interfacing with the system any easier. Even if you decide not to change the volume on the steering wheel (for whatever reason), I can't imagine gesture control being more precise than simply than turning a physical knob on the centre stack to change volume.
Gesture control is a solution to a problem that had been adequately addressed in the past. Since the implementation was clearly not to address a functional need, then it is was more than likely included as "eye candy" (as GTA said).
Our discussion is not an attack to BMW/7-series, but rather a discussion of how automakers (and perhaps the tech sector in general) have a tendency to include technology that is low in utility but high in marketability.
martinbo
Staff member
I don't see gesture control as a one-trick pony for volume control alone. To my mind, gesture control introduces a useful - and configurable - interface mechanism that requires no glancing away from the road ahead for any reason. I use the volume control on my steering wheel as wheel as well as the controls for taking phone calls and - from time to time - I find myself glancing at the instrument display or glancing for a button.
I'm not saying that such split-second actions are inherently unsafe but any activity that can be performed without taking your eyes off the road surely enhances safety. All advanced drivers will recognise that the first step toward driving safety is observation; this is then followed by recognition, followed by decision, followed by control. There is irrefutable proof that even the briefest glance off the road - at an inopportune time - severely decreases reaction time. All schools of advanced driving are proponents of this. In Germany in particular, travelling at higher Autobahn speeds sees reaction time significantly diminished and any glance off the road - however brief - is an increase in risk. With gesture control I would very much appreciate the benefits of not taking my eyes off the road at all. So what if gesture control only provides volume, call handling and a couple of other pre-configurable gestures for now.
Gesture control is in its infancy but the logic and intention behind it is tangible. As soon as more development allows for the configurability of more gestures then holistic integration of gesture control into the modern vehicle interface will garner more acceptance.
But, the issue I have is that: GTA's assertion that gesture control is "unsafe eye candy" because you have to take you hand off the wheel. And this assertion is deeply, fundamentally flawed.
Eyes on the road, one hand making a brief gesture is way safer than the briefest glance away. Fact.
I'm not saying that such split-second actions are inherently unsafe but any activity that can be performed without taking your eyes off the road surely enhances safety. All advanced drivers will recognise that the first step toward driving safety is observation; this is then followed by recognition, followed by decision, followed by control. There is irrefutable proof that even the briefest glance off the road - at an inopportune time - severely decreases reaction time. All schools of advanced driving are proponents of this. In Germany in particular, travelling at higher Autobahn speeds sees reaction time significantly diminished and any glance off the road - however brief - is an increase in risk. With gesture control I would very much appreciate the benefits of not taking my eyes off the road at all. So what if gesture control only provides volume, call handling and a couple of other pre-configurable gestures for now.
Gesture control is in its infancy but the logic and intention behind it is tangible. As soon as more development allows for the configurability of more gestures then holistic integration of gesture control into the modern vehicle interface will garner more acceptance.
But, the issue I have is that: GTA's assertion that gesture control is "unsafe eye candy" because you have to take you hand off the wheel. And this assertion is deeply, fundamentally flawed.
Eyes on the road, one hand making a brief gesture is way safer than the briefest glance away. Fact.
Zafiro
Supreme Roadmaster
People are talking in phone and sending text messages all the time while driving. My mum's X1 was demolished in the rear because someone was messing with their phone while driving.
People are driving drunk and high on drugs.
Adding gesture control sounds more safe than someone talking on the phone or being drunk. So adding one more distraction like gesture control, what harm can that do!
People are driving drunk and high on drugs.
Adding gesture control sounds more safe than someone talking on the phone or being drunk. So adding one more distraction like gesture control, what harm can that do!
SKY
Kraftwagen König
The worst solution is by far having touch displays like VAG pretends. I have not tried the gesture control, but Audi better have a good gesture system plus good steering wheel controls because trying to do anything with a touch screen while driving is impossible if you do not stop looking at the road.
Which is exactly what the car makers try to avoid.
Which is exactly what the car makers try to avoid.
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