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Toyota Has a New 'Manual Transmission' Patent for Electric Cars

4 points by lots2learn 5y ago

jleyank 5y ago
The worst possible use of automation…. Somewhat is not contributing to operation yet might break and prevent operation. And There hasn’t been enough passage of time to demonstrate whether the reliability of car electronics is more car like or phone like.
- timthorn 5y ago
  If it's contributing to the enjoyment of driving then it's a pretty good use. I really miss having a manual gearbox in my hybrid and would be prepared to pay for this system.
  - lots2learn 5y ago
    Even knowing the entire "experience" is faked? I'm trying to think of a fitting analogy...How about a cell phone that limited number inputs with a rotary dial?
    - timthorn 5y ago
      The pleasure of a manual gearbox is being able to select the response of the car on the road to your foot on the accelerator and clutch. I don't care if that is implemented by gears and cogs or adjusting computer control of an electric motor - it's being able to shift torque down a couple of gears as I approach a bend and to modulate the power via the clutch as I come out that matters.
      - lots2learn 5y ago
        Yes shifting down for a curve is a delight, but electric motors offers the experience of never having to shift up in the first place.
    - hbarka 5y ago
      It’s not faked. Even Tesla tried it but compromised on one gear to get to market earlier. R&D would have set them back because motors were breaking gears back then, and didn’t want to spend any more engineering and research resources. This is why Tesla is quick but not fast. Electric motors have a power curve and torque curve where gearing can shift the leverage up or down to compensate for what the driver wants. Drivers who understand this, know this.
      - lots2learn 5y ago
        Electric motors have instant and constant torque. I never heard of power and torque curves being applicable concepts.
        hbarka 5y ago
        https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327191420_An_Investigation_into_the_Induction_Motor_of_Tesla_Model_S_Vehicle https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327191420_An_Invest...
muzika 5y ago
I used to enjoy driving manual transmission. But now after owning a Tesla I know that I would not want to go back. Sure, switching gears was fun, but driving a Tesla with access to instant torque without the need to switch gears is more fun. Manual transmissions are fun only relative to automatic transmissions.

4 points by lots2learn 5y ago

The worst possible use of automation…. Somewhat is not contributing to operation yet might break and prevent operation. And There hasn’t been enough passage of time to demonstrate whether the reliability of car electronics is more car like or phone like.

timthorn 5y ago
If it's contributing to the enjoyment of driving then it's a pretty good use. I really miss having a manual gearbox in my hybrid and would be prepared to pay for this system.
- lots2learn 5y ago
  Even knowing the entire "experience" is faked? I'm trying to think of a fitting analogy...How about a cell phone that limited number inputs with a rotary dial?
  - timthorn 5y ago
    The pleasure of a manual gearbox is being able to select the response of the car on the road to your foot on the accelerator and clutch. I don't care if that is implemented by gears and cogs or adjusting computer control of an electric motor - it's being able to shift torque down a couple of gears as I approach a bend and to modulate the power via the clutch as I come out that matters.
    - lots2learn 5y ago
      Yes shifting down for a curve is a delight, but electric motors offers the experience of never having to shift up in the first place.
  - hbarka 5y ago
    It’s not faked. Even Tesla tried it but compromised on one gear to get to market earlier. R&D would have set them back because motors were breaking gears back then, and didn’t want to spend any more engineering and research resources. This is why Tesla is quick but not fast. Electric motors have a power curve and torque curve where gearing can shift the leverage up or down to compensate for what the driver wants. Drivers who understand this, know this.
    - lots2learn 5y ago
      Electric motors have instant and constant torque. I never heard of power and torque curves being applicable concepts.
      - hbarka 5y ago
        https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327191420_An_Investigation_into_the_Induction_Motor_of_Tesla_Model_S_Vehicle https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327191420_An_Invest...

muzika 5y ago

I used to enjoy driving manual transmission. But now after owning a Tesla I know that I would not want to go back. Sure, switching gears was fun, but driving a Tesla with access to instant torque without the need to switch gears is more fun. Manual transmissions are fun only relative to automatic transmissions.