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(5) beta testers sought for new technology

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Pedal Logic, Dec 7, 2016.

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  1. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

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    Are you in mode 4 also? That's what it came with so if you haven't changed it you probably are. At least 4 is as aggressive as it gets barring the crazy 5 mode (I am a little afraid to try that one)
     
    #41 Kramah313, Dec 20, 2016
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  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I checked the amber flashes on the light pipe and I am in mode 4:).

    If mode 4 is as aggressive as it gets, mode 1 might mean I need to go to PWR mode:sick:.

    Bring on mode 5:p!!
     
    #42 Raytheeagle, Dec 20, 2016
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  3. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

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    Aggressive in this case meaning that it works harder to smooth out acceleration curves...which means more pedal lag. I bet it's tough to drive in mode 5

    1 and 2 probably won't feel much different than the regular Prius driving
     
    #43 Kramah313, Dec 20, 2016
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  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    The probabilistic algorithms definitely are tuned up on mode 4:).
     
    #44 Raytheeagle, Dec 20, 2016
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  5. daiske99

    daiske99 Member

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    Mpg update:
    My average for the previous tank was 52mpg before the installation. Yesterday I refilled the tank and got 53.3mpg even though there was a cold temperature hit last week. It was the default setting, mode 4. Not bad so far. I will keep you informed with other modes. Merry Christmas!
     
    #45 daiske99, Dec 25, 2016
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  6. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    I've lost track. Do you want us posting our progress/results on this thread or would you prefer them sent via private message or e-mailed to a specific address?
     
    #46 qdllc, Dec 27, 2016
  7. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    FWIW, I'm not sure how reliable any MPG data might be unless someone sees a very significant change during this test. You'd really need to do a control test without the module and then a beta test with the module on identical roads, for identical distances, under as-near-as-possible identical conditions. I've seen MPG go up and down seriously just on whether it's warm/cold/rainy etc.

    Have you thought of testing this out on a road track just to monitor MPG changes? Some tracks have a nice variety in curves and elevations so it's not just going in a circle, and if you can get some "track time" during the off season (too cold or wet for race cars and motorcycles), it might not be that expensive an investment for documented research.

    So far, though, I am noticing a difference in how the Prius handles on acceleration...at least that much is something I can note since installing the module.
     
    #47 qdllc, Dec 27, 2016
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  8. Pedal Logic

    Pedal Logic Active Member

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    Hi qdllc,
    We've done plenty of track time! However, the goal of the beta test isn't to prove the theory, but to see what results consumers get in a real-world driving in different regions vs. test drivers on a largely homogenous course in a single climate.

    In terms of data, yes, seasonality affects mileage--I think you mentioned that in an earlier post as well. But most of the beta test group will likely have enough history with their vehicle to be able to identify before/after differences, notwithstanding the weather. Another way to reduce the seasonal noise in the data is to work with larger numbers, which is why we request a minimum of 300-400 miles driven per mode.

    To increase further the real world-ness of the test, we chose drivers from different regions throughout the country. This should help too with the issue you mention as some are located in the west and southwest where the temperature swings are more modest.

    Marc
     
    #48 Pedal Logic, Dec 27, 2016
  9. liskipper

    liskipper Member

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    I would be interested. 2013 three, 60K miles. Drive on NYC streets which are quite bumpy.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #49 liskipper, Dec 27, 2016
  10. Pedal Logic

    Pedal Logic Active Member

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    Hi royrose,
    We have done a lot of closed-course and open-road testing with multiple OEMs. What we found is that it always comes down to budget priorities and time.

    Starting with the latter, on average it takes 5-7 years for "outside" technologies to be tested and incorporated into OEM platforms. You can imagine the scale of cost for a process involving that timeframe. To justify that expense, OEM product managers want to see a meaningful increase in EPA-estimated mileage in order to sell more cars.

    We influence real-world mileage, but don't show up on EPA-estimated mileage. You can see why by looking at the EPA test method. In a nutshell, the EPA mandates that OEMs test vehicle mileage indoors on a dynamometer: the whole point of the specified test method is to do away with environmental variables such as weather and (more importantly for us) imperfections in the roadway surface. The EPA method isn't perfect and the OEMs have learned how to game it.

    We focus on real-world mileage so, in our view, our best potential customers are fleet operators that want to reduce their cost of operation--they are far more concerned with real MPG. Our next best customer may be the environmentalists and/or fuel savers in the consumer market. But instead of just having a few customers to support, we would then have large numbers--and our cost of sale and support would change. So in addition to seeing what MPG results this beta group gets, we want to see if people with differing technical backgrounds are nevertheless reasonably successful installing and using Smartpedal.

    Best,
    Marc
     

    Attached Files:

    #50 Pedal Logic, Dec 27, 2016
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  11. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    Marc,

    Thanks for your thoughtful explanation. Makes sense.
     
    #51 royrose, Dec 27, 2016
  12. daiske99

    daiske99 Member

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    Marc,
    I finally could change the mode after several attempts yesterday. Strangely it didn't work first time as you showed in the video. The green and orange light should have blinked by turn while the accelerator was pressed but it didn't. Instead the green light was on and off a couple of times and it faded. Maybe it's a technical glitch because it's a beta version? Also pressing the pedal for 60 seconds is too long... Shorter time would be appreciated...
     
    #52 daiske99, Dec 27, 2016
  13. Pedal Logic

    Pedal Logic Active Member

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    Hi daiske99,

    Did the green light fade out or just turn off? The latter is perfectly normal and a power-saving method.

    Marc
     
    #53 Pedal Logic, Dec 28, 2016
  14. Pedal Logic

    Pedal Logic Active Member

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    Hi liskipper,
    If you like, I can add you to a list if we do a second round of testing. I have added a few extra people to the first round, but eventually had to cap it.

    Happy New Year's Eve,

    Marc
     
    #54 Pedal Logic, Dec 31, 2016
  15. saltdiscus

    saltdiscus Member

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    yes i also notice the sudden change on acceleration on my prius.i think its better than before .i also notice my prius speed has improved significantly.
     
    #55 saltdiscus, Jan 7, 2017
  16. liskipper

    liskipper Member

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    Yes, please add me to your waiting list for beta testing the unit.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #56 liskipper, Jan 7, 2017
  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Thanks for the discussion and hospitality today @Pedal Logic . Always nice to see another 2010 Barcelona Red Prius as well;).

    Learned a lot about the device and get to try out the new mode:)!!

    Here's enhanced Mode 5 results from the drive home:
    IMG_0219.JPG

    Let the 3-4 day honeymoon period begin(y)!!
     
    #57 Raytheeagle, Feb 24, 2017
  18. Pedal Logic

    Pedal Logic Active Member

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    Ray,
    Totally fun meeting you and showing your around our "headquarters." On the honeymoon mileage, I always did the first 100 miles. I had 70 mpg for a short time...

    Marc
     
    #58 Pedal Logic, Feb 24, 2017
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  19. daiske99

    daiske99 Member

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    I wish I could change the mode too...
     
    #59 daiske99, Feb 24, 2017
  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    No luck following the video? Still stuck on mode 4?
     
    #60 Raytheeagle, Feb 24, 2017
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