Yes he does have a point but only when the computer is operating properly. The driver has no way of knowing if that is the case as there is no correlation between the accelerator pedal position and the throttle butterfly valve.
G²
There has been a lot of discussion on this in articles all over the web. I read one on a technical website, wish I could remember the link right now, where they discussed such fun hardware problems as 'tin whiskers'. These have been around in the electronics/semiconductor industry for years and can reak havoc on a control system.
The other possibility that I haven't seen mentioned yet is 'Entropy'. This comes out of Chaos Theory. In laymans terms (all I really understand) as a system becomes more complex, the likelyhood of random errors increases. If one thinks about the amount of computing power, sensors, etc. in a modern automobile (almost all of them) then the idea that a drive-by-wire system can have a malfunction like the ones described becomes more plausible. Throw in the fact that the computer(s) are also taking control of the brakes, it gets even more plausible.
Keep in mind that although modern avation is fly-by-wire (F-16, Boeing 777) there are still regulations that require redundancy of controls and also require a mechanical backup to the electronic controls. And there are backups for the mechanical controls also. To my knowledge, none of the modern automobiles with drive-by-wire controls have redundancy and/or mechanical override backups.
Peace,
Dave
The other possibility that I haven't seen mentioned yet is 'Entropy'. This comes out of Chaos Theory. In laymans terms (all I really understand) as a system becomes more complex, the likelyhood of random errors increases. If one thinks about the amount of computing power, sensors, etc. in a modern automobile (almost all of them) then the idea that a drive-by-wire system can have a malfunction like the ones described becomes more plausible. Throw in the fact that the computer(s) are also taking control of the brakes, it gets even more plausible.
Keep in mind that although modern avation is fly-by-wire (F-16, Boeing 777) there are still regulations that require redundancy of controls and also require a mechanical backup to the electronic controls. And there are backups for the mechanical controls also. To my knowledge, none of the modern automobiles with drive-by-wire controls have redundancy and/or mechanical override backups.
Peace,
Dave
And the 'tin whiskers' are what happens when you let politicians do your engineering. Solder is quite stable as the lead is bonded to the tin. Take out the lead and the tin starts misbehaving and growing 'whiskers'. Yes their intentions are in the right place but the alternative is worse in that it causes premature failure and MORE replacement / land fill.
I wonder about this when the volume control in my Prius - which is actually a shaft encoder signalling the radio computer - stops operating. A modest 'smack' brings it back but is it from whiskers or is it a mechincal encoder that is simply getting dirty? Turning it several times before the hit does nothing which makes dirt seem less likely.
But it's a Toyota so it's my imagination....
G²
So freakin' what? My wife (lovely lady, different story...) has no idea that the accelerator is even connected to a cable, let alone a throttle butterfly. Blissfully ignorant, her car still seems to function perfectly well thanks.
Flown in a modern aircraft recently? Guess what? ooooooh yeah. No physical connection between throttles and fuel control valves.
You yearn for a return to simplicity and tactile motoring? Well, heres a result...
It turns out the whole thing was probably a hoax. The "victim" has serious financial problems and it was found that all of the fail-safes Toyota built into the car were working (i.e., the engine automatically shuts off when both pedals are depressed).
Toyota on alleged runaway Prius: This car's OK :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Business
How Real are the Defects in Toyota's Cars? - Business - The Atlantic
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,589090,00.html
John
Toyota on alleged runaway Prius: This car's OK :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Business
How Real are the Defects in Toyota's Cars? - Business - The Atlantic
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,589090,00.html
John
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Interesting story. And a lucky ending. But as far as I can see it has nothing to do with the technology of the car. Model-T or Prius.
When I was living on Maui a local family did the same thing in a modern car (don't remember which). The fall was farther, the results much more tragic. It had nothing to do with the car, it was the driver's mistake.
Beg to differ - do you know how the transmission and brake systems worked on a T? I suspect that will have contributed to this accident.
REgardless, your main point is correct - the technology per se is very rarely faulty. The operator is regularly at fault. The same, it would appear, with the runaway Prius - the technology that failed was the nut behind the wheel
I have been driving a Prius for two years. It is a great car to drive (yes really) and has been utterly reliable so far. I think that guy who said his gen 2 failed is a liar tbh, or maybe an attention ***** looking to sue.
Ahh... very true. I had forgotten about that. Those crazy pedals.
Interesting that they were thrown free and not crushed. Would they have been with seatbelts?
He he he,
I do over 1500 miles a week and regularly see the prius bunch sitting at 90 on the motorway. The best bit is passing them and they give you the finger. Seem to think they have a right to the road and are saving the planet. They also think they are getting good MPG at 90 with a lawn mower engine revving its poor liitle heart out. Good cars for town use but commuting, come on. perhaps the finger is because they are coming up behind a loser lane metro/nova/fiesta and cant stop😀
That said the car is fine and it is always the muppet behind the wheel.
I do over 1500 miles a week and regularly see the prius bunch sitting at 90 on the motorway. The best bit is passing them and they give you the finger. Seem to think they have a right to the road and are saving the planet. They also think they are getting good MPG at 90 with a lawn mower engine revving its poor liitle heart out. Good cars for town use but commuting, come on. perhaps the finger is because they are coming up behind a loser lane metro/nova/fiesta and cant stop😀
That said the car is fine and it is always the muppet behind the wheel.
I have a 2007 ford falcon yooot, 'fly-by-wire' throttle, but everything else is pure mechanical. Manual gearbox, (thats right, THREE pedals!), no ABS, no Traction control, no ESC. I am the computer, and thats the way I like it. The only thing that doesn't work perfectly on this vehicle, IS the throttle, it seems to take twenty minutes to react to an input, and there is no feed back through the pedal! Give me a mechanical cable ANYTIME!
Still getting counciling!!!!
Still the most honest car Australia makes IMHO, New turbo's are massively rapid, near scary fast, love the G6E turbo!
Still HATE drive by wire throttles on 'em though, it makes regulating the throttle even harder on the turbo/auto's. How fast would an F6 310 be, if you could have enough throttle control to tame wheel spin!!?
LOVE EM!!! (In mourning)
Still the most honest car Australia makes IMHO, New turbo's are massively rapid, near scary fast, love the G6E turbo!
Still HATE drive by wire throttles on 'em though, it makes regulating the throttle even harder on the turbo/auto's. How fast would an F6 310 be, if you could have enough throttle control to tame wheel spin!!?
LOVE EM!!! (In mourning)
BTW,
All this computer controlling of cars nowdays is put there, I think, because ALL road users are idiots, until proven otherwise, by means of not killing YOU!
NO computer can save a fair dinkum, brain dead, twit, who can't even control their own actions, let alone take responsibility for them!
Like life in general, There are no rights, so get that out of your head, and concentrate on your responsibilities!, and everything will be just fine.....you'll see!
Live long and happy!
All this computer controlling of cars nowdays is put there, I think, because ALL road users are idiots, until proven otherwise, by means of not killing YOU!
NO computer can save a fair dinkum, brain dead, twit, who can't even control their own actions, let alone take responsibility for them!
Like life in general, There are no rights, so get that out of your head, and concentrate on your responsibilities!, and everything will be just fine.....you'll see!
Live long and happy!
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