Toyota Recall Highlights Potential Car Computer Troubles

The Associated Press has a story about how Toyota’s recent recall of vehicles over the "sticking accelerator" issue has highlighted the risks of relying on electronic systems over mechanical systems in a vehicle. I like the bit about "the worry is that the car is a computer on wheels that could freeze up and potentially crash." It would be quite annoying to go to start my car and see a "Sad Toyota Face" or BSOD on the notifier but it would be worse to see it while the vehicle is in motion.

…Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said his department would undertake a broad review of whether automobile engines could be disrupted by electromagnetic interference caused by power lines or other sources. …Today's cars are far safer and more reliable than those manufactured without electronic controls, said Bruce Belzowski, assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. At the same time, he said, the added complexity demands much more testing in different conditions.

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