5 ms·
I wonder if the same sensors that provide the log data also control the engine. In that case, it would be impossible to distinguish a sensor glitch from user er
by mustpax 16y ago
I wonder if the same sensors that provide the log data also control the engine. In that case, it would be impossible to distinguish a sensor glitch from user error by purely relying on in-system logging.
This sort of thing happens all the time when debugging production servers. The same system usually provides the control signal and the diagnostic data. So what initially looks sane, if you keep investigate it, can lead you to a real bug.
I've been pretty skeptical about the whole Toyota stuck accelerator brouhaha myself but this development does not necessarily rule out a design flaw.
- workingsmart 16y agoI have to agree, the fact that this is a WSJ article makes me curious about the possibility that this is a Toyota-paid-for damage control article. Especially due to the FRBNY/WSJ editing scandal exposed by ZeroHedge last week. I expect this is a PR attempt by Toyota to discredit the lawsuits in the eyes of the general public and counter their dropping sales figures. Unless this diagnostic system is completely separate from the drive-by-wire system, this isn't pertinent information.
- maukdaddy 16y agoIf you think the WSJ would try to cover up something for Toyota you're an idiot. This isn't some second-class blog we're talking about - it's WSJ.
- workingsmart 16y agoI'm new to hackernews and I thought maybe you people were as respectful as your mission statement suggests. This is Ad-hominem.
- thaumaturgy 16y agoIt's not ad-hominem, because he didn't say you were wrong because you're an idiot; he said you're an idiot because you're wrong. ;-) Conspiracy theories aren't very popular here, unless they involve those pesky climate scientists.
- workingsmart 16y agoIf you're here on HN to learn new things, you should read this article from ZeroHedge, about the WSJ and the way it panders to power and money. http://www.zerohedge.com/article/new-york-feds-editorial-influence-over-wsj#new http://www.zerohedge.com/article/new-york-feds-editorial-inf...
- sliverstorm 16y agoReally? I mean, we can agree that if there is a glitch that makes the ECU think the throttle is WFO, the log will say WFO. The important thing is that the log also says the brakes were completely inactive. Also, consider that the brakes will operate no matter what the ECU thinks, and in at least one case the brake pads themselves were examined, and experts concluded they had not recently been applied at high speeds under full force. The findings support eachother.
- ams6110 16y agoI recall at least a few reports, I think one was on a recorded 911 call and another observed by a state trooper following, that brakes were applied and after the car was ultimately stopped there was evidence (burned brake pads, brake rotors discolored by heat, etc.) that the brakes were in fact used. It may be that there were a few genuine throttle malfunctions which, once reported, brought all the "accidentally stepped on the gas pedal" accidents out of the woodwork.
- mattmcknight 16y agoIf you are referring to the Sikes case near San Diego, that was likely a hoax perpetuated by a bankrupt insurance scammer, an expert driver who supposedly didn't want to put it in neutral and was observed speeding up and slowing down. The car rental agencies stacking double floor mats is a real issue though, regardless of car model. I had a Saturn where a secondary mat slid under the pedal and got trapped. I never understood the purpose of floor mats anyway. I just take them out.