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Forbes
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Why Do Most Drivers Turn Off Vehicle Safety Systems?
Driver shutting off the Lane Keep Assist on a RAM 1500 There's a good chance that your late-model car, truck, or SUV has a handful of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). There's also a good chance that you are not using them, as numerous studies have revealed that most drivers find them distracting and annoying due to frequent alerts, perceived over-correction, or unexpected interventions. If you are like most drivers, you get frustrated and turn them off—negating the safety benefits. To dive deeper into why drivers are shutting off their vehicle's ADAS technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking (often marketed under slightly different names, depending on the automaker), I polled more than a half-dozen drivers to get some additional insight. My findings were consistent with the published studies. Drivers welcomed the ADAS technology (often paying to have their vehicle equipped with the features), optimistic that it would make driving less stressful and more relaxing. Instead, they frequently found the features intrusive, annoying, unreliable, and startling as they intervened unexpectedly and without warning. While some of the technology, such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)—designed to intervene only in emergencies—could not be defeated, systems that could be turned off were often. 'I must turn off the system continuously,' says Sean Dugan about BMW's Lane Keeping Assistant. 'It's jarring and most of the time—more like all the time—unexpected.' And he notes that things are even worse after the sun goes down. 'At night, even when nobody is around, you make a lane change without using a blinker that the car starts fighting to stay in the lane.' Tesla owner Patrick O'Connor finds Lane Assist, part of the company's Autopilot system, frustrating. 'It is over-aggressive, and it doesn't seem to adjust well to naturally curvy roads. I have to turn my lane assist off because it keeps jerking me almost out of my lane—it thought I was swerving on the freeway, although I was following the road within the lane properly.' His wife, Ashley, drives a Kia and uses the vehicle's Smart Cruise Control regularly. 'As a mom of two children under five, I found it helpful in most insists when I drive the kids around. However, I do note that it needs more fine-tuning—it abruptly swerves and does not seem to have as much distance awareness as the system in my husband's Tesla.' 'We have a Cadillac Escalade, and I like the Adaptive Cruise Control because I can set it for 75 (even when freeway traffic is at 35), and it will stay with the flow of traffic automatically speeding up and slowing down. It's kind of nice,' explains Chad Armstrong. 'With that being said, the Reverse Automatic Braking tends to overreact sometimes by slamming violently on the brakes when there's nothing there. For some reason, and I know this sounds weird, it seems to be triggered by shadows.' But not everyone is unsatisfied. Esther O'Connor, who drives a Subaru, appreciates the ADAS features. 'I love them. As you get older, I think they are great because they are very good at alerting you if you get momentarily distracted,' she said, referring to Subaru Lane Keep Assist, part of the company's standard EyeSight driver-assist system. 'Everyone occasionally gets distracted, whether while taking in road signs or watching for other traffic. The automatic system is good because it moves the steering wheel when you leave the lane, and it beeps.' But she's not smitten with all the systems. Esther has a steep driveway that continuously triggers Subaru's Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) system when backing out of her driveway. When her Outback crosses over the gutter on the street, it automatically comes to a jarring stop. Frustrated, she's developed a work-a-round. She puts the transmission in neutral (thus defeating the ADAS) and rolls into the street without stopping. Meighan Offield drives a Volvo equipped with the company's Pilot Assist & Adaptative Cruise Control System. 'I don't like using adaptive cruise control because I get disengaged from actually driving—same with the lane-centering self-steering. I need to keep my hands on the steering wheel for it to work anyhow, so I'd rather just steer and stay engaged,' she explains. 'Additionally, the adaptive cruise control brakes and accelerates too hard when cars change in and out of lanes in front of me. I prefer to be in control.' Offield also notes other frustrations with ADAS, including one with Volvo's Rear Auto Brake (RAB) that mirrors Esther O'Connor's frustration. 'My driveway is sloped, so when I'm backing out of my driveway, the car senses the unlevel pavers and auto brakes. The system brakes really hard, and it's very startling—you think you have hit something. Fortunately, the button to disable it pops up on the screen when the rearview camera turns on, so I often disable it.' Volvos are fitted with forward collision warning systems, which is part of the company's City Safety or Active Driver Assist features. 'When I'm driving on a curved road with parked cars along the sides, the forward collision prevention system kicks in and starts braking my car aggressively when it shouldn't,' Offield observes. 'It seems to read the parked cars on the side of the road, and because of the angle, it thinks I'm going to have a head-on collision. This is very frustrating, but unlike the back-up system, the forward collision system is not as easy to turn off without navigating to it in the infotainment system, so I leave it on.' Charlie Schiavone drives a RAM 2500 pickup with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). 'I religiously use adaptive cruise control in every car I drive, including rentals when they have it. It takes away all the fatigue when driving, especially in traffic,' he explains. 'However, the sudden and harsh braking you get when a car gets in front of you is annoying. More times than not, there is enough space in front of you that simple coasting will suffice.' Schiavone also notes that the system doesn't drive naturally—like a human. 'When cars are moving out from in front of you, the adaptive cruise control accelerates way too quickly to close the gap, and if there is slowed or stopped traffic ahead, you need to intervene, or the system will do some harsh braking. It always feels like it engages too late—it feels like you're going to hit the car in front of you, and you may!' Jeep owner Shannon McGee finds that ADAS offers some benefits but also has more than a few frustrations. Her vehicle is fitted with the company's Active Driving Assist (or Active Lane Management). 'Thankfully, my lane-keeping assist isn't as aggressive as other vehicles, and it just slowly corrects my wheel. However, my Jeep has a Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, and the sensor isn't the greatest. My car will automatically brake if it senses another vehicle too close, and most of the time, there is no reason to brake—it brakes hard and beeps, too. It usually scares me more than helps me.' Like many motorists, McGee finds the system 'crying wolf' so often that it can't be trusted. 'I can see its benefits if I need it to prevent an accident, but it seems to activate when it's not needed, and it makes things more dangerous.' Automakers have spent billions of dollars engineering, developing, validating, and testing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). However, studies and interviews indicate that most consumers still find them infuriating—to the point where they are ignored or defeated. The reality is that drivers prefer to maintain complete control of their vehicles rather than trust current ADAS technology. Drivers I interviewed want ADAS technology to drive naturally and predictably, mimicking the way they drive—staying smoothly within the lane on the road, anticipating the flow of highway traffic, gently applying the accelerator and brake, and memorizing familiar challenges such as backing out of a driveway at home. They want ADAS to drive more like a human. Despite widespread consumer frustration with current ADAS technology, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is mandating that all new vehicles have emergency braking systems as standard equipment by September 2029. But unless automakers make drastic improvements to the technology, it appears that most drivers will simply shut it off.
Associated Press
03-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Dark Matter Technologies announces comprehensive eClosing integration for its NOVA LOS platform
- Powered by Wolters Kluwer, eClose solution streamlines mortgage closings, supports cost savings and facilitates the compliant transfer and sale of digital loans - JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 3, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, announced today that the NOVA loan origination system (LOS) platform now features a comprehensive integration to the eClosing capabilities powered by the Wolters Kluwer eOriginal® ClosingCenter. Designed to improve the mortgage closing process, eClose will help lenders reduce time-to-close, realize cost savings and provide a better borrower experience while also enabling secondary market activities. The eClose functionality enables users to seamlessly execute the full spectrum of eClosing options: hybrid eClosings, In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN) closings and digital 'Remote Online Notarization' (RON) closings. This allows lenders to evolve their eClosing strategy over time and provide borrowers with flexible closing options. The eOriginal® ClosingCenter solution allows NOVA clients to securely eSign and create eNotes, then deposit loan documents into the eOriginal eAsset® Management system for secondary market activities. This allows for compliant transfer and sale of digital lending assets. eSigned documents in the eVault are legally compliant and maintain the highest level of legal enforceability throughout a digital loan's lifecycle. This solution simplifies digital lending, reducing paperwork, ensuring compliance and speeding up loan cycles. 'With this capability, lenders can deliver an entirely new level of convenience and efficiency,' said Sean Dugan, the chief executive officer of Dark Matter Technologies. 'This saves time and money for lenders while allowing them to engage in secondary market activities and gives homebuyers the convenience of faster closings at the time and place of their choosing.' Dark Matter Technologies added the NOVA LOS to its product line-up in 2024 as part of a dual-product strategy alongside the Empower® LOS to provide innovative solutions and consultative services for credit unions, IMBs and small to midsize banks. The NOVA LOS provides a reliable, cost-effective solution with minimal administrative and supports retail, wholesale and correspondent lending as well as a wide range of mortgage products. 'By integrating flexible, modern eClosing options to NOVA LOS, Dark Matter is putting lenders on a fast track to a fully digital future,' said Shreya Shankar, the vice president of partnerships at Wolters Kluwer Financial & Corporate Compliance. 'We are thrilled to collaborate with Dark Matter to help NOVA LOS users enhance borrower satisfaction, increase revenue, streamline operational efficiency and unlock the potential of the secondary market through seamless eClosings.' About Dark Matter Technologies: Operating with the nimble nature of a startup and the disciplined maturity of one of the industry's leading providers, Dark Matter Technologies delivers powerful technology with unparalleled automation and relentless innovation to leading mortgage lenders, servicers and companies nationwide. For more information, visit X: @dmattertech @NOVALOS @Wolters_Kluwer #fintech #mortgage Logo link for media: NEWS SOURCE: Dark Matter Technologies ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Elizabeth Schroeder Depth for Dark Matter Technologies (209) 774-6555 [email protected] ### Keywords: Mortgage, Wolters Kluwer, eClose solution, mortgage closings, fintech, Dark Matter Technologies, loan origination system, JACKSONVILLE, Fla. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Dark Matter Technologies) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126692 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Associated Press
24-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Dark Matter launches Developer Portal, opening the Empower LOS to external innovation
- New portal provides open APIs, code samples and tools to accelerate third-party development - JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 24, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today unveiled a new Developer Portal during its second annual Horizon user conference. The Developer Portal marks a significant evolution for the Empower® loan origination system (LOS), moving from API access to a fully open API ecosystem. By providing external developers with self-service access to documentation, code samples and integration guides, the portal removes barriers to innovation and enables clients and partners to build on Empower with greater speed and independence. 'By making our APIs and developer resources more accessible, we're unlocking new possibilities for our clients and partners to solve their unique business challenges, differentiate their offerings and move more quickly from concept to implementation,' said Sean Dugan, CEO of Dark Matter. Designed with the developer experience in mind, the portal delivers a modern, frictionless interface that helps users get up and running fast. It supports a wide range of development use cases, from integrating customer relationship management systems to building custom workflows, allowing organizations to extend the Empower platform in ways that align with their business strategies. 'While Dark Matter has long offered APIs, this launch represents a major leap forward in how we support developers,' said Vikas Rao, deputy chief product officer at Dark Matter. 'We've intentionally designed this portal to give developers everything they need to be productive, from clean documentation to practical code samples, so that they can build innovative tools on Empower with minimal friction.' The Developer Portal is available now to all Empower LOS customers at no additional cost. Clients can access the portal by contacting their account manager for support. Dark Matter's Horizon user conference is an invitation-only event April 23-25 and focused on exploring the 'horizon' of mortgage technology. About Dark Matter Technologies: Operating with the nimble nature of a startup and the disciplined maturity of one of the industry's leading providers, Dark Matter Technologies delivers powerful technology with unparalleled automation and relentless innovation to leading mortgage lenders, servicers and companies nationwide. For more information, visit Tags: @dmattertech #fintech #financialservices #marketing #mortgage NEWS SOURCE: Dark Matter Technologies ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Elizabeth Schroeder Depth for Dark Matter Technologies 209.774.6555 [email protected] ### Keywords: FinTech, Dark Matter Technologies, fintech mortgage tech, API, Empower LOS, loan origination system, JACKSONVILLE, Fla. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Dark Matter Technologies) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P125714 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Dark Matter Technologies completes migration to AWS to enhance computing speed, performance and scalability
Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced the successful completion of its IT infrastructure migration to Amazon Web Services (AWS). This strategic move enhances Dark Matter's ability to deliver superior performance, scalability and reliability to mortgage industry clients. AWS' cloud infrastructure provides Dark Matter's clients with significant operational advantages. By leveraging AWS' robust network of data centers, lenders can now dynamically scale their operations to meet fluctuating mortgage demand without the traditional delays of hardware procurement and deployment. This enhanced agility enables lenders to rapidly adjust to market demands while accelerating the delivery of new product features and updates. 'This migration represents a pivotal moment for Dark Matter and our clients,' said Sean Dugan, incoming CEO of Dark Matter. 'By fully embracing AWS, we're not just improving our infrastructure — we're accelerating our ability to innovate and deliver next-generation mortgage solutions that help our clients succeed in an evolving market.' 'Dark Matter's successful migration to AWS marks an exciting milestone in modernizing the mortgage industry,' said Rich Geraffo, vice president and managing director, AWS North America. 'By harnessing AWS' secure, reliable infrastructure, Dark Matter is driving operational excellence for its mortgage lending customers. AWS is proud to support Dark Matter in its digital transformation journey as the company accelerates innovation and delivers enhanced value to mortgage industry leaders across the nation. This exemplifies our commitment to empowering financial institutions with cloud solutions that scale seamlessly and accelerate digital transformation. We look forward to supporting Dark Matter as it continues to revolutionize mortgage origination and servicing technology for its customers.' The AWS infrastructure provides Dark Matter's clients with advanced security protocols and enhanced business continuity in the face of natural disasters and localized outages through its extensive network. About Amazon Web Services (AWS): Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any workload, and it now has more than 240 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, media, and application development, deployment, and management from 114 Availability Zones within 36 geographic regions, with announced plans for 12 more Availability Zones and four more AWS Regions in New Zealand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit Operating with the nimble nature of a startup and the disciplined maturity of one of the industry's leading providers, Dark Matter Technologies delivers powerful technology with unparalleled automation, and relentless innovation to leading mortgage lenders, servicers and companies nationwide. For more information, visit X: @dmattertech #fintech #mortgage @AWScloud NEWS SOURCE: Dark Matter Technologies ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Leslie Colley Depth for Dark Matter Technologies (678) 622-6229 ### Keywords: FinTech, Dark Matter Technologies, fintech, AWS, mortgage technology, Amazon Web Services, cloud infrastructure, JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P124788 APNF0325A
Associated Press
27-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Dark Matter Technologies announces agenda for second annual Horizon User Conference
- Annual user conference to take place April 22-24, at the Omni Amelia Island Resort and Spa - JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 27, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced the agenda for its Horizon User Conference. Exclusive to Dark Matter clients and partners, the conference will take place at the Omni Amelia Island on April 22-24. Set against the Atlantic oceanfront, Horizon brings Dark Matter's diverse client base together for three days of sessions and networking events led by industry leaders and Dark Matter's team of mortgage technology experts. Highlights from the event agenda include: Industry Outlook Keynote: Trends and Insights for 2025 — Logan Mohtashami, lead analyst for HousingWire and housing finance expert, will highlight key market trends. A Look into the Future: Our New Product Roadmap — Dark Matter leaders will provide exclusive early insight into what's new and what's on the horizon. Fireside Chat: Thriving in 2025 — Dark Matter customers share how they are laying the groundwork for success in 2025. Automation and AI Advancements — Product experts will highlight how automation and AI assistants are driving efficiency and reduced origination costs across Dark Matter's suite of products. 'We are excited to welcome our clients and partners to Amelia Island for another inspiring Horizon User Conference,' said Sean Dugan, incoming CEO of Dark Matter Technologies. 'This year's agenda reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and empowering our clients with the knowledge and connections they need to excel in an ever-evolving mortgage landscape. From HousingWire's, Logan Mohtashami's keynote, to interactive sessions and networking opportunities, we've designed a program to spark ideas and build momentum for the year ahead.' For more information and to register for the Horizon User Conference, visit: About Dark Matter Technologies: Operating with the nimble nature of a startup and the disciplined maturity of one of the industry's leading providers, Dark Matter Technologies delivers cutting-edge technology, unparalleled automation and relentless innovation to leading mortgage lenders, servicers and companies nationwide. For more information, visit NEWS SOURCE: Dark Matter Technologies Keywords: Mortgage, Horizon User Conference, Dark Matter Technologies, JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P123612 AP-R15TBLLI
