As an embedded enthusiast, I’ll admit I’ve been a little skeptical about the recent complaints about spontaneous acceleration problems on the Toyota Prius. I don’t have one myself (can’t afford anything that new yet), but I’ve been impressed by the ideas behind the design. The “spontaneous acceleration” complaints sounded to me more like either people’s imagination running away with them, people who don’t understand their cars and/or can’t drive, or people looking for a quick buck or cheap publicity out of all of this.
This changes my opinion. If Steve Wozniak, who owns a Prius, says that he’s experienced problems with the cruise control system causing uncommanded acceleration, I believe him. This guy designed the original Apple computer system way back when, and truly understands digital electronics. He also has nothing to gain from badmouthing Toyota, and being a typical engineer, has never been one to look for publicity (unlike that “other” Steve.) He’s just an engineer who noticed an important problem and is trying to help get it solved. (Good for you, Woz.)
I hope Toyota is taking these reports seriously, and comes up with a good, solid fix for them. Were it me, I would suggest a paleo-tech solution: Install a hardwired killswitch which cuts power to the electric propulsion and forces the transmission into Neutral. (The engine *does* already have an RPM defenser, yes?)
Hopefully Toyota can solve the problem and get this behind them. They have done a lot to popularize hybrid cars (and fuel efficiency in general); I would hate for such a good idea to get more bad press just because of some engineering glitches which should have been caught long ago.
