Nannies - who drove a 2026 car and can tell?

[Foxy87]

Hey

I will get my Emira supposably in April/May. I didnt spec the „extended co drivers package“ (its an option in europe) but will have the co driver package as standard which includes the following nannies:

- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Traffic sign recognition
- Blind spot warning system
- Lane change assist
- Lane departure warning
- Fatigue detection/warning

I am very curious how Lotus implemented these (how annoying these are) and how easy it is to disable them (shortcut or deep within the menues). I am finde with the AEB and the Blind spot warning. I hate traffic sign recognition and speed warner.

So is there anybody who has driven a 2026 car and paid attention to these?

Thanks

 

[geoffbland]

Actually I prefer driving when everybody follows the lane markings so that I don't get forced off the road.

Also I do not pretend the street is a track, and do stay in my lane, just like the admonition when driving the Tail of the Dragon : "The goal is to embrace the technical challenge of tight turns, not make it easier and very hazardous."

In the UK, and I think in many other countries, we are taught on advanced-driving and safe-driving courses to use the width of the road to get visibility of the road ahead when it is safe to do so. It is often a safer way to drive as you can anticipate issues sooner.

I would be interested to know what is taught to drivers in the US and why maybe this is different in the US - I do know that the UK has significantly safer roads/drivers than in the US despite our roads being much busier so it might be that they trust the driver's judgement less there and so teach you to always keep in lane?

Edit: Edited as initially this seemed very judgemental and it was not intended to be so - there are different ways of driving safely and it all depends on circumstance.

 

[Ft.S]

I would be interested to know what is taught to drivers in the US and why as maybe this is different in the US - I do know that the UK has significantly safer roads/drivers than in the US despite our roads being much busier so it might be that they trust the driver's judgement less there and so teach you to always keep in lane?

There is nothing being taught in the US, simple driving and written tests and off you go. I used to instruct teens on car control and emergency maneuvers, and it is amazing how many of them used to come to the course without the very basics of driving safely.

Unfortunately, most in the US see driving as a given right, not a privilege.

 

[efbleft]

I had a 2026 I4 for a loaner for about 3 weeks. Toggling off the speed limit warning = "settings" then another sub-menu, then the actual "sign reading toggle" and then back to home screen. Toggle isn't always on the mark if trying to do while driving. It beeps the second you hit 1 mph over the posted, which it gets wrong in the US at times (thinks the posted is 101 mph often). I opted for a 2025 just to avoid the driving tech, but I will say that it got less cumbersome as I drove the I4. As an aside, you can throw 24 and 25 into track mode at any point, but with the 26 you have to be stopped. Then you have to individually turn off ESC, etc. On my 25, those go off automatically when you hit track mode. All part of the same "safety" parameters.

 

[Beachbum]

Unfortunately, most in the US see driving as a given right, not a privilege.

Its the same in the UK. God forbid anyone suggests they take away a licence for anything less causing a death.
The main argument that people put forward when about to lose their licence is "But it will hinder my ability to earn a salary" No $h!t Sherlock, then dont do something stupid in the first place !!!
Can you tell this a bug bear of mine?

 

[Foxy87]

After 1500km of driving, as the OP I can honestly say that the nannies are definitely no issue and my concerns were unfounded. The only one that is a real PITA is the speedwarner. This is turned of in 2 seconds with two „clicks“ through the quick panel though.

My Opinion on each nannie:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) —> glad to have it, no problem at all, no need to switch off
- Traffic sign recognition —> PITA, def. Neet to turn off every single time, but possible through quick panel, 2 sec
- Blind spot warning system —> glad to have it!
- Lane change assist —> do I even have that? Never noticed
- Lane departure warning —> not great but as it does not make sounds, not really a problem and youncan disable through quick panel
- Fatigue detection/warning —> no problem, never noticed

Stopping for trackmode is not cool, but as I drive most of the time in Sport mode, not a big problem. All i can say the nannies are definitely not a reason to not buy a new 2026 car.

 

[Last ICE]

After 1500km of driving, as the OP I can honestly say that the nannies are definitely no issue and my concerns were unfounded. The only one that is a real PITA is the speedwarner. This is turned of in 2 seconds with two „clicks“ through the quick panel though.

My Opinion on each nannie:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) —> glad to have it, no problem at all, no need to switch off
- Traffic sign recognition —> PITA, def. Neet to turn off every single time, but possible through quick panel, 2 sec
- Blind spot warning system —> glad to have it!
- Lane change assist —> do I even have that? Never noticed
- Lane departure warning —> not great but as it does not make sounds, not really a problem and youncan disable through quick panel
- Fatigue detection/warning —> no problem, never noticed

Stopping for trackmode is not cool, but as I drive most of the time in Sport mode, not a big problem. All i can say the nannies are definitely not a reason to not buy a new 2026 car.

 

[Last ICE]

If Lotus can see their way clear to find a way to recess (better yet hide) the snaggle-toothed sensor housing that bespoils the front grille, that fix in combination with the removable roof panel (but lust for a true targa) will be enough to cause me to replace my ‘24.

 

[LastManualLegit]

500 miles on my 26’ Meridian Blue Garage Queen. As others, I was really worried about these Nannies. Worst one by far is the traffic sign speed warning audibles….really
Annoying! Switching to visual only doesn’t bother me. Generally don’t like AEB, typically activates when it shouldn’t, happened twice. The other dislike is the bucktooth sensor in front grill, although it’s not as bad as I thought.

 

[sawdust]

In the UK, and I think in many other countries, we are taught on advanced-driving and safe-driving courses to use the width of the road to get visibility of the road ahead when it is safe to do so.

Sorry, but that makes no sense at all to me. Although I have had no "advanced-driving and safe-driving courses" other than Driver's Ed a long time ago and the 2-day Corvette's Owners Classes at Spring Mountain Raceway, NV.

The criterion of "when it is safe to do so" is IMO weak. Before you commit to an action, the conditions may be/seem "safe". But that can be a transitory "safe" condition, especially when "visibility of the road ahead" is impaired.
If you have a visibility issue while driving, then IMO (a) the prudent driver should not wander into the other lane, and (b) simply reducing speed is a better option.

Drivers can easily misjudge what/when "is safe". That big-rig driver in that photo apparently though it was safe to ignore the no-passing solid-line before the crest of a hill that he couldn't see past (and where I was coming from). I've also seen wanna-be-racecar drivers "use the width of the road" to hit the apex in front of me.
Perhaps you need to experience a few close calls of such driving antics in order to appreciate the need to share the road.

I also strive to not be the a-hole in the fancy car. But I do want and expect other drivers to stay out of my path so that I can drive my way.

 

[RoryBellows]

So after picking up my 26 I too think the speed sign thing is awful. the beeping is totally lame. When I first got the car it had a fairly low battery and some of the ADAS errored at start and I was able to drive home without the speed warning. The second time I drove it struck with a vengeance. So at home I first tried taping some cardstock over the camera and went for a drive. That really ticked off the ADAS systems and none of them were working. The car came up with its own speed limits still for some reason but they were all really high. On the highway it gave me a 105 limit. So in that sense it works because I never exceeded the speed but its less than ideal. For now I plan on just defeating all street signs and living with the yellow exclamation in true Lotus fashion until I find a way to kill that speed alert for good. I didnt mind the other stuff but I only drove it home from the dealership and around town. Not sure how that stuff acts in the canyons.

 

[papadop88]

Sounds like Lotus acknowledged the concerns folks are having by the annoying nannies in the 26s and they will be addressing them in a software update. You'll be able to turn them off and they won't come back on when starting the car again...

 

[me73]

Sounds like Lotus acknowledged the concerns folks are having by the annoying nannies in the 26s and they will be addressing them in a software update. You'll be able to turn them off and they won't come back on when starting the car again...

I think the fact that they needed customer feedback to realize this is concerning for upcoming products. It kind of explains the lack of any mention of a manual in future Emiras.

 

[bman6074]

Sounds like Lotus acknowledged the concerns folks are having by the annoying nannies in the 26s and they will be addressing them in a software update. You'll be able to turn them off and they won't come back on when starting the car again...

That will be nice. Assuming it's back to the dealer for the update?

 

[Bimmernate]

Sounds like Lotus acknowledged the concerns folks are having by the annoying nannies in the 26s and they will be addressing them in a software update. You'll be able to turn them off and they won't come back on when starting the car again...

Really!? This literally makes my day. How do you know this!?

 

[papadop88]

They won't put it in writing yet, but they were notified. This only relates to the US market. They cannot speak for other markets. I guess we'll see whether this source is sound...

I just don't see why they wouldn't as every other manufacturer, as far as I know, allows you to turn them off permanently.

 

[papadop88]

HA! I was just watching this video (don't ask me why) and she just mentioned it as well around minute 14:25. LOL I guess folks are starting to find out.

 

[ffre92]

My routine when I get in my car is to use the quick screen to disable the traffic sign audio only, I don’t mind leaving the rest on.

However the last 2 weeks, for some reason I am getting a new random single beep while driving on the same single lane route I drive daily. I really can’t figure out what it’s detecting. There is no visual for it in the dash. It’s not the lane departure alert since that is a lower pitch beep and give u a visual cue. Battery is on tender and my sensors are clean too. Maybe just a lotus thing

 

[virtualmacho]

However the last 2 weeks, for some reason I am getting a new random single beep while driving on the same single lane route I drive daily. I really can’t figure out what it’s detecting. There is no visual for it in the dash. It’s not the lane departure alert since that is a lower pitch beep and give u a visual cue. Battery is on tender and my sensors are clean too. Maybe just a lotus thing

Low battery in the tracker your wife installed underneath the seats?

 

[Bimmernate]

My routine when I get in my car is to use the quick screen to disable the traffic sign audio only, I don’t mind leaving the rest on.

However the last 2 weeks, for some reason I am getting a new random single beep while driving on the same single lane route I drive daily. I really can’t figure out what it’s detecting. There is no visual for it in the dash. It’s not the lane departure alert since that is a lower pitch beep and give u a visual cue. Battery is on tender and my sensors are clean too. Maybe just a lotus thing

I still think it is the lane departure warning. Try changing to visual only and see if it goes away

 

[redgarl]

I have those, deactivated all of them, and they are still intrusive. LOTUS needs to make a software update to fully let people remove them.

Every time they get on, they cut the radio and a popup show up in your dash screen. Speed limit, line crossing and fatigue sensor are definitely way more than simply intrusive.