In car gadget

My daughter is driving a new Mercedes Benz today and has a query.

When she pulls up at traffic lights a screen on the dash cuts in and shows all that's going on - on the junction in front of her, even though she's sitting there looking at it. It isn't a camera that records what it sees, so can anyone give me an idea please what it's for?

 

Hi,

You often find new cars do not come with a user manual that gives clear information of what the modern electronic features are; they change so rapidly these days.

Probably you will find more help in the MB forum where doubtless others will have been asking the same questions and hopefully getting clear answers.

Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums

 

Totally agree with Ricky. The world around us is moving at break-neck speed. One might be forgiven for saying, technology is taking over.
I am happy with my 04 reg Almera Tino MPV. That has lots of mod/cons that I admit, I don't know the why's and wherefore of and, I don't want to know.

I am trying to place myself in the driving seat of the car in question. OK I am looking at a reduced sized junction. IMO the screen image makes a great snapshot. However not all road junctions can be 100% viewed, as offset junctions and set back traffic signals. So the field of view has to be limited.
Whereas in reallity when we look at something, close or far off, our eyes, and natural vision is not static. We are in fact scanning at high speed the whole frame. This is proven by the 'field' test at the opticians. Concentrate on the center spot. Our make up takes over and despite as far as we are concerned, our eyes/field of vision is always on the move. Sitting at the lights and focussing on a dashboard screen, will not give us a 'safe' image.
Sheal, my friend. I do hope your dughter fathoms this out. My best wishes.

 

Thanks Ricky but I'm not prepared to join an MB forum to find out.

This is what my daughter sees Mike. I'll point out she lives in Canada.

 

Ah! I forgot your daughter lived in Canada, Sheal, sorry. Nevertheless it does seem a bit strange, to be sat there seeing out of the windscreen and also treated to the same view on a mini screen. Could this gadjet be a kind of webcam?

 

@Sheal I'm a bit shaky on this one, but I'm almost sure this is the MB 360 degree camera. If for some reason she put the car in reverse, the view should change to show what is behind the car. It only shows what is in front when in forward gear. Various views should be available, including one that sort of shows the car from above, all at the touch of a button if I am correct

 

@Sheal Hope this helps

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=18&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi9gIyU4LHlAhUVTxUIHUdeC6UQFjARegQIBxAB&url=https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/passengercars/mercedes-benz-cars/models/a-class/hatchback/explore/intelligent_drive_detail/park_package_360.html&usg=AOvVaw0HJL92-nepHAq25sj6CfKQ

 

This is a really good bit of tech. I had a loan car with 360 camera and the virtual overhead camera is really useful for parking in tight spots

 

Whatever happened to people being able to observe what it going on without cameras?

OK, I get a rear view camera might be good for reversing, being as most cars these days have hardly any visibility out of them rearwards, but a front view seems stupid and distracting to me.

Its almost that they fit this kind of thing these days, just because they can, and with no real point other than distraction and taking the driver away from reality.

@Sheal , I would have thought the dealer she bought the car from would have explained what it was all about?

 

Reminds me of a young couple who moved in a couple of doors away. He was a right thug type. By the time he'd finished shunting back and forth. He'd park a stretch limo in the space of a mini.

Relating to the rear view cameras. I have one as standard in my Nissan. To me, it's a gift from the gods. Having a spine problem, turning around when reversing is most times a no go. The marked disabled bay I use, is half on/off the kerb with a lamp stand on the n/s line. The kerb is slightly curved. So reversing, I have on the facia, a bright clear view of the road. Lining up the tow ball with the kerb edge. Simples. Another useful asset, electronically controlled door mirrors. Great when using marked car park spaces. There are some great bits and bobs. I don't like the practice of mobile phones and sat navs being stuck on windscreens. As I recall. It wasn't all that long ago that things stuck on the windscreen or dangling before the driver, would attract the traffic cop's attention.

 

Thanks all for your ideas. This doesn't seem to be a 360 degree camera, it only displays when she stops in traffic. That said, she can see more around her than the screen displays when facing forward.

@pete , the car isn't hers. Although brand new she had it while her older car was being serviced.

@shiney my son's father-in-law had a rear end shunt last winter due to this so called technology. The driver of the other car said to him "but my car didn't tell me I was going to hit you". So - are eyes almost redundant? Or are people becoming very stupid?

 

ahhhhh …. good old touch parking