From: dr_jeff on
Vic Smith wrote:
> On Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:47:00 -0800 (PST), john <johngdole(a)hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I think there may be multiple causes to this sudden acceleration
>> problem. I do believe electronics is a primary suspect, according to
>> the Alberto lawsuit.
>>
> Probably. I'm a bit surprised by all this concentration on "gas
> pedals." I suspect that gas pedals and linkage aren't too
> mind-boggling. They've been around a long time.
> I had a an '85 throttle body 2.0 Cavalier that would "unintentionally
> accelerate." Wife was using it for her commute and complained about
> it, but I shrugged it off until it happened to me when I was driving
> it. Had to keep it braked hard at a stop, and it would accelerate to
> about 40 mph when you released the brake. It came and went.
> I was going to throw a new throttle body on it but the car just died
> on her on the way home from work the next day.
> Right in front of a garage, and a couple guys pushed her off the
> street and into the garage. That's how I found my mech, just in time,
> as I knew nothing about the new electronic controls then.
> New ECU fixed it.
> There's stuff going on with modern cars that is *really* hard to
> diagnose. That's why I don't like drive-by-wire, and ignition key
> lockouts or interference with a mechanical switch engine shutdown.
> Fail-safe can't be controlled by microchips. They are too flaky.
>
> --Vic
>

Tell that to the pilot of the Airbus A-320.

I have to disagree that fly-by-wire is too flaky or that microchips are
too flaky. There are certainly bugs, but those bugs will be worked out.
Computers can react far faster than humans. Computers control a lot of
critical function; car engines are just one of them.

Jeff
From: dr_jeff on
Vic Smith wrote:
> On Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:12:53 -0500, dr_jeff <utz(a)msu.edu> wrote:
>
>> Tell that to the pilot of the Airbus A-320.
>>
>> I have to disagree that fly-by-wire is too flaky or that microchips are
>> too flaky. There are certainly bugs, but those bugs will be worked out.
>> Computers can react far faster than humans. Computers control a lot of
>> critical function; car engines are just one of them.
>>
>> Jeff
>
> I'd have to see the cost and quality of the A-320 control chips, and
> their engineering and programming to buy that comparison.
> For all I know the chips controlling the acceleration in drive-by-wire
> cars are sourced from the same outfit making chips for Mr Coffee.
>
> --Vic

So? I haven't seen reports of runaway Mr. Coffees. I am sure the chips
are made to high quality standards. The issue really is the programming
and quality assurance (which is testing of how well the programs work,
particularly in unexpected situations). I don't know what Toyota and
other car makers do in that regard.
From: dr_jeff on
Mike Hunter wrote:
> If you don't know, dr_jeff, what Toyota and other car makers do in that
> regard, why are you commenting on something you admit you know nothing
> about, again?

I do know about quality assurance and software engineering, for I have
experience in both.

So, as usual, I am commenting on something I understand.

Jeff
> "dr_jeff" <utz(a)msu.edu> wrote in message
> news:hrudnVnZoopfu_nWnZ2dnUVZ_uRi4p2d(a)giganews.com...
>> Vic Smith wrote:
>>> On Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:12:53 -0500, dr_jeff <utz(a)msu.edu> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Tell that to the pilot of the Airbus A-320.
>>>>
>>>> I have to disagree that fly-by-wire is too flaky or that microchips are
>>>> too flaky. There are certainly bugs, but those bugs will be worked out.
>>>> Computers can react far faster than humans. Computers control a lot of
>>>> critical function; car engines are just one of them.
>>>>
>>>> Jeff
>>> I'd have to see the cost and quality of the A-320 control chips, and
>>> their engineering and programming to buy that comparison.
>>> For all I know the chips controlling the acceleration in drive-by-wire
>>> cars are sourced from the same outfit making chips for Mr Coffee.
>>>
>>> --Vic
>> So? I haven't seen reports of runaway Mr. Coffees. I am sure the chips are
>> made to high quality standards. The issue really is the programming and
>> quality assurance (which is testing of how well the programs work,
>> particularly in unexpected situations). I don't know what Toyota and other
>> car makers do in that regard.
>
>