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Yosho
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« on: March 10, 2010, 04:29:36 PM » |
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At this point, you really have to wonder what's going on. I mean, even with a "glitch" in the software... why are these drivers incapable of simply turning off the key or putting it in neutral? This guy on Monday had time to call 911. I know people panic, but it took some rational thought to call 911. I don't know about you, but that wouldn't be my first though... I got it if this happened on a city street where things could go bad quickly, but on a highway over many miles? I wonder if we'll see copy cat publicity stunts faking this problem now...
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The Renegade
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« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2010, 04:45:16 PM » |
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The prius doesn't really have a key, and the transmission is likely electronically coupled, not a mechanical link. All modern braking systems have at least some level of electronic control, which if there was a "glitch" like this would result in massive numbers of deaths. Sure, it's still a mechanic hydraulic system... unless the ABS computer decides the wheels are locked and to prevent the application of the brakes... luckily that has never happened that I'm aware of anyways. The camry's should be easy, but the damn thing in nuetral and turn the key off. Or maybe it's just because all these electronic cars are heavy and boring as hell  I'm fine with ABS though, which is still semi electronically controlled.  |
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Yosho
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« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2010, 05:23:42 PM » |
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Ahhh, so there's no tranditional key and no gear selector?
If it is one of those new proximity keys, what would happen if you threw it out the window while driving?
Is there really no neutral one can switch the car into?
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The Renegade
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« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2010, 05:46:45 PM » |
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Ahhh, so there's no tranditional key and no gear selector?
If it is one of those new proximity keys, what would happen if you threw it out the window while driving?
Is there really no neutral one can switch the car into?
No traditional key. There is a gear selector, but if it's a computer malfunction who knows if it even works. In the prius, everything is electronically controlled, so the gear selector is most likely just an electronic switch that tells the computer what gear it's in, not mechanical like most cars. The hybrid drive stuff changes a lot of the "normal" stuff  It's almost got to be a bad sensor/switch or computer code issue. Once it "locks" who knows what commands it would listen to, if any. |
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funky49
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« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2010, 12:21:42 AM » |
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Ahhh, so there's no tranditional key and no gear selector?
If it is one of those new proximity keys, what would happen if you threw it out the window while driving?
Is there really no neutral one can switch the car into?
No traditional key. There is a gear selector, but if it's a computer malfunction who knows if it even works. In the prius, everything is electronically controlled, so the gear selector is most likely just an electronic switch that tells the computer what gear it's in, not mechanical like most cars. The hybrid drive stuff changes a lot of the "normal" stuff It's almost got to be a bad sensor/switch or computer code issue. Once it "locks" who knows what commands it would listen to, if any. No normal key, its like this fob you insert into the dash. You can't yank it out, I recall the car has to disengage a little lock and then you can pull out the fob. Yeah, the gear selector probably does just control an electronic switch. I don't remember intentionally trying to put it in neutral while it was driving. I want to say I posted about it being able to keep accelerating even after you stopped using the cruise control to get you to your desired speed but applying the brakes stopped it. Guess I was lucky with that version of the software. |
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Yosho
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« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2010, 08:44:54 PM » |
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So maybe this will cause automakers to rethink their designs... anything as big as a car that doesn't have an physical safety-off switch is a poor/dangerous design.
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funky49
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« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2010, 08:58:41 PM » |
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Maybe more QA in automobile based drive-by-wire systems?
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The Renegade
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« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2010, 12:01:16 AM » |
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So maybe this will cause automakers to rethink their designs... anything as big as a car that doesn't have an physical safety-off switch is a poor/dangerous design.
Well it looks like the prius just requires you to hold down the on/off button for 3 seconds then it shuts everything down.. granted 3 seconds may be too long. That's probably why this guy couldn't shut it down since he was just mashing the button, not holding it down. |
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KI4SWY (Bill)
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« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2010, 11:19:38 AM » |
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if the car is 100% electronic, there has to be a "kill switch" to stop it.
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Lost on a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides.
Vids:Naomi 2 Blast City Naomi 1 WSB 2k1
Pins: JMn, LAH, SW
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The Renegade
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« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2010, 01:57:21 PM » |
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Yep, saw that. It's hard to say though, how many people called BS on the Camry's "stuck throttle" accidents until enough people died. They have said that the car was fine once they replaced the brake rotors and pads, which could mean horrible maintenance (but on a 2008 Prius the rotors, and probably pads, should be fine unless it has a ton of miles), or could lead to some legitimacy on his claims that he was standing on the brakes but not slowing down. (ie, excessive wear - although evidence of glazing, heat cracks, etc should be found on the old parts) On the flip side, I have cars with more power than a prius, and they can't outpower the brakes if you get anywhere close to "standing on them". |
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Yosho
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« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2010, 05:37:23 PM » |
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http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/03/12/n_toyota_lawyer_interview.cnnmoneyVideo of Toyota's former Managing Counsel for product liability cases from 2003-2007 He slams Toyota in the video... "Toyota - an organization that is a criminal enterprise" "they don't have any respect for the United States, they don't have any respect for the laws of this country..." Apparently he's kept all the documents from his time with the company despite Toyota's attempts to get them back... and to keep them from plaintifs cases against Toyota (which Toyota was legally obligated to turn over during discovery). Is sounds like there is a smoking gun here against Toyota, and this guy has the evidence... if that's the case, then Toyota's days as a popular automanufactuer in the US could be over.
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