Toyota steer by wire...

[MetalMonkey]

Unless I'm mistaken or they've changed the rules there has to be a mechanical link in the steering for road use.

From the article:

"Europe has created its own certification programme for by-wire steering systems, removing the need for a mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels as had previously been law.
The system is already legal in Japan, while in the US, no such legislation exists. The UK would most likely follow the EU legislation, but this is not yet known."

As with most of these things, if you are big enough, the law will change to accommodate.

 

[Kayos]

It's interesting that you kept the petrol mower though right

My brother gave away his (ultra reliable) Honda petrol mower to me....then the new fancy electric mower decided to break ....was fixed under warranty...but took them months!

My 2 week old EV is back at the dealer....I had too drive it home 100 miles with the windows open as the computer decided I wasn't allowed to change any of the heater/demist functions via the fancy touch screen .

I'm a hoarder, the petrol mower will be scrapped or sold when we move house

My 7 month old EV is perfectly reliable, 10k ish trouble free miles. Currently charging on the drive. Not sure what EVs have got to do with this though?

 

[Erie Fred]

The switch from Bias ply to radial tires didn't involve a tradeoff.

 

[Wildefalcon]

My eldest son reports on connected vehicles, he provides analysis and commentary to commercial subscribers.

His next car will be 1971 Landrover.

Stories of vehicles in the hands of experienced drivers glitching and causing crashes aren't common, but there are enough to cause concern. What's worrying is the log files in the vehicle often don't show the glitch, so insurance liability is with the driver.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Not sure what EVs have got to do with this though?

I was googling touch screen issues when I came across the toyota steering article....I love the EV and it makes perfect sense in London.

I don't love the complexity of new cars....it's a step up from my 4 year old Hyundai and I don't think it's positive progress.

 

[Shox Dr]

I'm a hoarder, the petrol mower will be scrapped or sold when we move house

My 7 month old EV is perfectly reliable, 10k ish trouble free miles. Currently charging on the drive. Not sure what EVs have got to do with this though?

Are you serious. It was you the brought up battery mowers FFS. You know the sames thing you have in your EV car

 

[ukracer]

Just been in my shed, spotted the old reliable petrol lawnmower that needs fuel, oil, maintenance. It's also noisy smelly and heavy.
It has sat unused because I also have a newer, reliable, quiet and relatively light battery powered one. Just as powerful but much more civilized to use

I really don't get the anti progress sentiment of a certain number of members on here. Progress it seems is a dirty word

I don't feel its anti progress. It's using common sense and experience of the fact that the world revolves around ripping people off and getting regular cash coming in perpetually without doing ( anything/much ) to achieve it.

One person's progress is another's nitemare. Having to use technology is a terrible experience for my dad. Adds a lot of work for the family etc etc.

Yes "progress" should allow us to jump on the website and book a GP appointment. But "progress" has ensured all appointments are now book on the day even if it's a less important issue and does not require an emergency appointment.

If you really want to see the result of what some see as progress just check in on the covid equiry.
Or at least search "a different bias" on you tube where its given to you in bite size chunks.

I agree some progress is essential. In 1987 I ran a bulletin board. It was an Atari ST system.running on magic PC.
The progress for that is Facebook.
So IMHO it's progress of sorts. But now we lack control......

Without sounding like an oldfogy I was only the other day thinking we have certainly made progress. Depending if its progress.
A particular Xmas I remember I had a phillps cassette deck (portable) that I hung round my neck whilst on my bike.

Now kids (parents) think hundreds of pounds is needed to buy presents at Xmas. I have no doubt my mom and dad saved to get me the cassette. As wages were obviously lower back then. Etc etc

So have we really made progress ?

 

[ukracer]

Mmm. Just round (nexrdoor) my mums, who has an all singing all dancing battery mower. Cuts grass sure, so long as its dry and no more than an inch high.

At this time of year its a doorstop. So out with a "smelly, noisy petrol mower. 25yrs old and still going strong, just petrol and a tickle on the blades once in a while.
Never had a drop of oil in its life. And still worth 200quid

Strangely enough that's my experience. But my petrol lawn mower has not been out for two years. Its stored in a shed behind lot of crap I am sorting through.

I use battery mower on highest setting.
Hope it all drys up and we get no rain then cut it lower......if I get lucky.
Not sure which one is progress.......lol

 

[Morris]

Oh no! Progress!!!!

Let's smash the machines, we are all dooooomed I tell ya!!!

Let's go back to leaf springs, steering boxes and cross ply tyres

We could bring back polio, diphtheria and mass childhood mortality as well?

The very definition of a straw man argument.
Nobody is calling for any of those things. The concern is the invention of a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

 

[Blobber]

No problem with progress. Big problem with more expensive, less reliable, unrepairable, resource intensive, less privacy, disposable.

Nicely put

 

[julianthegypsy]

As far as I'm concerned it's progress if it improves my life, or does the same thing but uses less resources etc. Much of the "progress" I see doesn't do anything for me, it makes more money for car manufacturers (for example) at my expense and the expense of smaller businesses who are excluded and in fact the consumer in general. Notable exceptions would be things like air fryers that allow us to cook using less space and less energy, but cars? Spare us!

 

[ukracer]

Are you serious. It was you the brought up battery mowers FFS. You know the sames thing you have in your EV car

I live next door to a workshop manager at a car dealership. He has been at 3 since he has been here. Head hunted for more money.
He said the other day that he doubts very much he will get an EV in his lifetime.
He reckons it costs 20 quid per night to charge an average flat EV and distance v a full fuel tank is a big issue with their fleet cars.
But the most moaned about issue is plugging in on a daily basis. Often in the rain where you fill up once a week under a canopy.
Does not sound a lot BUT......getting a 1,2,3 and possibly 4,5 year old dressed and undressed for 5 years might seem hard work (self inflicted) lol

Try dressing and undressing an adult for 23 years ,even someone you love. It starts to take its toll.
My main point is short term things can be surmounted....long term its a bit more mind blowing...

 

[Kayos]

The very definition of a straw man argument.
Nobody is calling for any of those things. The concern is the invention of a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Who isn't calling?

Surely yours is the straw man argument as they are being developed and deployed

 

[Kayos]

Are you serious. It was you the brought up battery mowers FFS. You know the sames thing you have in your EV car

It was a comparison between old and new tech (that presumably no one asked for?) I deliberately avoided EV

 

[ukracer]

As far as I'm concerned it's progress if it improves my life, or does the same thing but uses less resources etc. Much of the "progress" I see doesn't do anything for me, it makes more money for car manufacturers (for example) at my expense and the expense of smaller businesses who are excluded and in fact the consumer in general. Notable exceptions would be things like air fryers that allow us to cook using less space and less energy, but cars? Spare us!

Not to mention self service checkouts.
There are times they are useful.
But the drive to be the first to replace all staffed checkouts is in full swing.
They are undoubtedly "progress" but NOT for everyone and not in such abundance. Especially when they are shut from 8pm when people are grabbing food for that night or food for the next day. When they WOULD be most useful.

 

[mike os]

So who carries responsibility when the all electric system fails ?

Obviously the owners because we know manufacturers don't make mistakes

 

[Morris]

Who isn't calling?

Surely yours is the straw man argument as they are being developed and deployed

Nobody is calling for
"Let's smash the machines, we are all dooooomed I tell ya!!!

Let's go back to leaf springs, steering boxes and cross ply tyres

We could bring back polio, diphtheria and mass childhood mortality as well?"

straw man
noun

1. 1.
   an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.

 

[julianthegypsy]

So who carries responsibility when the all electric system fails ?

Obviously the owners because we know manufacturers don't make mistakes

Just like the post office with their computer systems. Oh wait...

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

He reckons it costs 20 quid per night to charge an average flat EV and distance v a full fuel tank is a big issue with their fleet cars.

I think with the right setup it's £10 for 270 miles with ours...but at the moment we street charge and thats £35....still cheaper than our thirsty Hyundai.

Theres a lot I like about the EV...it drives a lot better than our petrol Hyundai...mainly due to the smooth and very controllable power delivery. Also living in London it makes total sense as they're very efficient in slow traffic...also I can stick it on charge for 2 hrs while out shopping in town and basically use the charging as cheap parking (otherwise parking is £4 per hr!) which in a city is a big plus (but likely temporary).

The big down side I think is the amount of "technology"...which in mine went badly wrong already!

I don't understand the obsession with removing knobs, buttons and controls in new cars (EVs or otherwise)...I'm planning on keeping the EV but also buying a 20+ year old Volvo as backup!

 

[Wildefalcon]

The very definition of a straw man argument.
Nobody is calling for any of those things. The concern is the invention of a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

I'm a contrarian, I'm calling for these things. Except the diseases. I've enough of them.

Simple, reliable, multigenerational technology is the most sustainable way forward. Not bothered by the power source, so long as it's sustainable. Battery powered Austin seven?