Yesterday, the U.S. Transportation Secretary revealed the results of a 10-month study on the causes of the acceleration problems reported on Toyota cars and trucks. The Japanese manufacturer will have one less thing to worry about, as the study found that electric systems and electromagnetic interference played no role in the incidents.
This means that, up until now, only the stuck gas pedals and floor mats jamming the accelerator were responsible for the unwanted accelerations. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) even stated that human error was also at the root of several of the accidents.
The NHTSA had ordered the investigation last spring, enlisting NASA for the expertise of its engineers and scientists in electronic control systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity
The tests were conducted at Chrysler’s testing facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The researchers bombarded several vehicles with electromagnetic radiation. Toyota had given the investigators complete access to the on-board computer codes that control acceleration.
Since 2009, Toyota has recalled nearly 11 million vehicles worldwide after receiving several complaints about unintended acceleration and floor mat problems. The manufacturer also had to pay a total of 48.8 million U.S. dollars in government fines.
Today, the manufacturer includes a standard feature on all its vehicles that cuts power to the wheels as soon as pressure is applied to the brakes to prevent a repeat of the troubles. Several lawsuits were filed because of these issues and are still ongoing.
Source: Automotive News, The Detroit News
This means that, up until now, only the stuck gas pedals and floor mats jamming the accelerator were responsible for the unwanted accelerations. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) even stated that human error was also at the root of several of the accidents.
The NHTSA had ordered the investigation last spring, enlisting NASA for the expertise of its engineers and scientists in electronic control systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity
The tests were conducted at Chrysler’s testing facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The researchers bombarded several vehicles with electromagnetic radiation. Toyota had given the investigators complete access to the on-board computer codes that control acceleration.
Since 2009, Toyota has recalled nearly 11 million vehicles worldwide after receiving several complaints about unintended acceleration and floor mat problems. The manufacturer also had to pay a total of 48.8 million U.S. dollars in government fines.
Today, the manufacturer includes a standard feature on all its vehicles that cuts power to the wheels as soon as pressure is applied to the brakes to prevent a repeat of the troubles. Several lawsuits were filed because of these issues and are still ongoing.
Source: Automotive News, The Detroit News