Mahindra XUV700 driving on ADAS without a driver on the seat [Video]

There are numerous incidents of Mahindra XUV700 owners misusing the features of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for gaining attention on social media channels. The string of such acts of stupidity recently saw the addition of another incident, in which a Mahindra XUV700 is seen driving itself in auto mode, with its driver sitting in the co-drivers seat.

A YouTube video shared by Nikhil Rana shows how a Mahindra XUV700 owner put his life and vehicle at risk by showcasing the ‘magic’ of ADAS in an attention-grabbing way. In the video, we can see a Mahindra XUV700 on a national highway, with no one present in its driver’s seat. It indicates that the lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control of the XUV700 was turned on, due to which the SUV was driving on its own without any assistance from its driver.

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However, in an even more shocking detail from the video, the driver of the XUV700 is seen sitting on the co-drivers seat, and that too in the opposite direction. The driver is leaning his back on the dashboard, while his feet are facing towards the rear seats. He tilted the back support of the co-drivers seat to its full inclination angle, due to which he was able to place his feet comfortably on it.

To ensure that the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel, Mahindra also disengages the system after a set of warnings. The ADAS is an assistive system and cannot manoeuvre the vehicle completely on its own. Also, such systems can fail, especially in India where lane markings may disappear suddenly. ADAS rely on lane markings and without them, it is cannot maintain the car inside the lane.

Seatbelts locked to trick the system

The video also shows that the seat belts were engaged in a way they shouldn’t have been, just to avoid the continuous beeps from the safety alarm system. The person in the co-driver seat is operating his mobile phone, while his XUV700 was still cruising in auto mode with ADAS functions engaged.

While this video showcased how effective the systems of ADAS provided in the Mahindra XUV700, it also shows how they should not be used. The ADAS functions in Mahindra XUV700 do not make it a vehicle which can drive on its own, as it still needs steering inputs from the driver at some points. Using ADAS functions with no hands on the steering wheel is utter foolishness, which can turn into a dangerous sequence of events.

It is not the first time that such incidents of Mahindra XUV700 owners showcasing the ADAS functions in their vehicles but in a wrong and dangerous manner. Based on the video evidence, stricter action must be taken against such foolish car owners who put their and other peoples’ lives at risk to gain some ‘likes’ and attention on social media.

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