How can driver-assist systems help Uber drivers to be more safe and efficient? That’s what we’ll be discussing today.
Even if you’re very new to Uber, cars, or ADAS, this piece is for you. It doesn’t even matter what your occupation is or what you drive, I believe this piece will benefit you anyway.
In this piece, we’ll discuss the types of ADAS and their primary features. Towards the conclusion, I’ve also linked to a few legal help you may need if you drive for Uber or even use Uber as a passenger.
Let’s get started then?
What are Driver Assist systems?
As the name suggests, they’re simply features/tools/programs or technology that assist drivers drive better and safer.
The two primary types of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) are:
- Informative ADAS: This is an ADAS system that doesn’t take actions on its own. It’ll inform the driver of issues and warn them, but no direct action will be taken.
- Active ADAS: As the name suggests, this ADAS system takes control and implements actions, even without the driver’s explicit permission.
With the advancement in technology and AI, ADAS basically utilizes cameras, calculations, sensors, etc. to either warn or control the vehicle.
Tesla is a prime example of a vehicle that implements very advanced active ADAS systems.
Do note that the exact features available for your Uber driver’s car will depend on the exact make and model of the vehicle.
How Can Driver-Assist Systems Help Uber Drivers
Here are a few active as well as passive ADAS features that make not just Uber drivers, but all drivers safe in general:
- Adaptive headlights: A simpler feature that controls the brightness and modes on your headlight, depending on the driving conditions. This mostly is an active ADAS feature.
- Drowsiness detection: This feature, when available, uses a driver’s facial expressions and actions to sense when they’re sleepy. This too is generally a passive feature. Considering how Uber drivers may have long driving hours, this one’s a major help in telling them when they should rest.
- Detecting potential collisions: This is one of the most advanced ADAS features. It calculates your vehicle’s current speed, distance from an obstacle, and the probability of a collision. This is available both as an active as well as passive feature. When active, it slows/brakes the car or even steers automatically. When passive, it warns the driver and allows the driver to take some action.
- Automatic braking: I’m sure you know what this does. And yes, it’s an active ADAS feature.
- Pedestrian presence detection: This of course tells the driver if a pedestrian is detected in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle. Because it’s an informative feature, it’s a passive ADAS feature.
- Lane departure warning: This feature warns the driver if he/she is departing from the current lane. If the vehicle is equipped with active ADAS (this is rare) very minute steering adjustments can be made by the system to correct the lane.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: When it came out, this was one of the most prominent ADAS features. It measures the speed of the vehicle in front of you, the distance between the two vehicles and some other metrics. The primary purpose is that it adjusts the speed of your vehicle based on these calculations.
- Blind spots: The rear-view mirror doesn’t cover everything that you can’t see. There are areas that the mirrors can’t cover. These are known as blind spots and often result in accidents as the driver isn’t aware of vehicle presence in the blindspots. Passive ADAS warns drivers when a vehicle is detected in these blind spots.
- Parking assistance: This was one of the earliest ADAS systems. It helps drivers park better by alerting them when there are obstacles around or in the way of the vehicle.
- Crash notifications: This is an active ADAS feature that’s still not implemented for all vehicles. When available, it notifies specific third parties of the crash allowing them to reach you.
- Hardware monitoring: Some ADAS are also capable of measuring the condition of specific hardware for your vehicle. This includes tire pressure, engine and other things. They alert you when attention is required for those aspects.
Well, those are just some of the features that ADAS offers a driver. Of course, this isn’t an all-inclusive list. That’s because the entirety of ADAS features may either overlap with one another or be too extensive to cover.
However, I’m certain you’ve got a decent idea of what ADAS is and how it helps drivers, haven’t you?
Conclusion- How Can Driver-Assist Systems Help Uber Drivers to Be More Safe and Efficient?
Well, those are some pretty efficient features, aren’t they? However, they aren’t foolproof. It’s possible that due to some technical or even manual error, an accident happens. It’s often hard to get claims for the vehicle, personal injuries, or anything else, especially with big opponents like Uber.
As an Uber driver (or a passenger) you should always consult the best lawyer to sue Uber for the next steps in case there’s an accident.
Maybe it’s no one’s fault, but you should get what’s due to you, and companies like Uber certainly can afford to help you out considering how you’re the reason they exist. Of course, ensure you’re not breaking any laws or misusing the justice system. That’s it folks, if this piece helped you understand ADAS or how it helps Uber drivers, do share it with fellow drivers or someone who uses Uber a lot.
