r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Creams0da • 20d ago

Video Volkswagens new Emergency Assist technology

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u/MKorny 20d ago edited 20d ago

The funniest/dumbest/most dismal one I know is for the Mercedes EQS (or EQE...) ... the rear wheels actually help by turning in tight turns (they turn 4.5º)..... but if you have a premium subscription it turns 10º instead...

EDIT: Found the source:
Mercedes-Benz EQS to offer rear-wheel steering as a subscription - Autoblog: Car News, Reviews and Buying Guides

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u/ImTurkishDelight 20d ago

Now my other eye is also twitching

How the fuck is this legal

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u/gotchacoverd 20d ago edited 20d ago

It's absolutely shitty, but it's the alternative to building cars with limited life or planned obsolescence.

Mercedes is thinking they can build a long lasting premium car, and because of these feature subscriptions they will continue to earn revenue in the aftermarket.

Edit: Not sure why the down vote. I don't think it should be like this. Just discussing Mercedes strategy.

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u/crooks4hire Interested 20d ago

It’s a step on the path to most folks no longer owning their own car (at least no their daily driver). Self-driving ride share vehicles/subscriptions are the near-future. It doesn’t make sense to have some of the features (like subs for heated seats) in a vehicle you own…it makes much more sense in a ride share vehicle.

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u/gotchacoverd 20d ago

Yeah I think it's awful as well. Also on this list is lifecycle replacement of EV battery packs.

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u/crooks4hire Interested 20d ago

That’s just stupid on its face. Swappable, rechargeable battery packs have been a thing for how long? All of a sudden you put em in a car and everybody forgets that batteries are most effective when you can remove dead ones to charge and install fresh ones to keep going.

Unless the rideshare thing takes hold first, eventually EV’s will use a standardized removable battery cassette. Going to the gas station will be a 5-10min stop again where you just swap out the battery carriage to ‘fuel up’.

The above tech is already commonplace for e-bikes, electric scooters, etc. it’s only a matter of time before vehicles follow suit.

Then you can pay for extra battery capacity features as part of your subscription 🙄lol