Newsweek Article on Drive by Wire.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA\";p=\"46149)</div>

I have heard that the F-16 is the first "Fly-By-Wire" air fighter.
I believe there was no mechanical connection between the flight control lever and the rudder for backup.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit: Found F-16 information...
"F-16 'Power-by-Wire' Flight Without Back-up A Success"
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_news_article584.html

Regards,
Ken@Japan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA\";p=\"46150)</div>

GM's hydrogen prototype also has a 'yoke' with an accelerator that can be moved to different front seat positions. I would think the "motorcycle" style twist grip would not be a wonderful thing for all though.

When I broke my right wrist I could NOT start my Odyssey except by contorting my left hand to the right side of the wheel because I couldn't rotate my right wrist in the cast. Would have LOVED the Prius push button start. If the Odyssey had twist grip, I wouldn't have been able to drive at all. If it is going to be "by wire" perhaps there could be several on the fly user selectable styles.

 

IMO, "by-wire" is if its primary operation is from an electronic connection/interpretation between the user input system, i.e., steering wheel, resulting in a mechanical action or operation, i.e., turning wheel angle, etc.. As for how the action is actually carried out, i.e., computer, hydraulics, gearing, etc.. it doesn't matter.

Is this the case for the Prius' brakes?

 

As I understand the brakes, the last portion of travel is mechanical (well, hydraulic anyway).

To demonstrate this, sometime when you are stationary, push the brake pedal down hard. It will come against a stiffer resistance (feels like a pedal stop). Pushing against this is the mechanical brake. In normal operation, you don't get that far of course - only when you're crapping yourself!

 

If your braking is consistent, you can feel when it 'switches' from regen to hydraulic - on my specific car, it's when it goes from 8mph to 7mph, there's a slight forward momentum for a split second. If you're braking hard, or your braking is increasing or decreasing and not constant, you won't notice it.

-m.

 

rflagg, the 'switch' from regen to hydraulic has no bearing on whether it's 'by wire' or not. In normal cirumstances the hydraulic brakes are actuated by exactly the same electrical signal as the regen.

 

ya i need to clarify the controls a bit.

motion is controlled by moving the controls toward or away from you. experts say that these kinds of controls are more intuitive and reduce reaction times.

the wheel is not round, it is a type of two handed joystick setup similiar to flight controls.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco\";p=\"46162)</div>

So, your definition is semi by-wire with backup.
My definition is pure by-wire without mechanical(hydraulic) backup.

Regards,
Ken@Japan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rflagg\";p=\"46189)</div>

Idle speed is about 8mph. under 8, your motor starts spinning in the oposite direction to represent idle. this is why you feel your breaks. I wish coastaltech would release the regen/engine on indicator.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius04\";p=\"46104)</div>

Just to nit-pick... It was Gilda Radner's Emily Litella that used to say, "Nevermind." -- not Roseanne Rosannadanna.