Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Toyota Experimenting With Joystick Control For Cars

Posted by Soulskill on from the do-a-barrel-roll dept.

alphadogg writes "Today it's the stuff of video games, but Toyota is experimenting with joystick control for a new breed of compact cars and transporters. The world's biggest car maker built the technology into a couple of concept vehicles that were on display Wednesday at the Tokyo Motor Show. The FT-EV II, which got its world premiere at the event, is a compact electric vehicle designed for short trips. The car retains seats for four passengers despite being much more compact than most other cars, and packs drive-by-wire technology so it can be controlled with a joystick. The car's steering, braking and acceleration can be controlled by hand so foot pedals aren't needed, freeing up space to provide more legroom for the driver."

4 of 609 comments (clear)

  1. "Informative" my ass, overrated more like by fiannaFailMan · · Score: 0, Troll

    Running out of gas does not kill power steering. As long as your transmission is still engaged and you're still moving forward, the engine is still turning over and the accessory belts are still moving (i.e. power steering pump is still active). Those systems stop working when your RPMs drop below idle RPM.

    Er, if you run out of petrol then the engine DOESN'T keep turning over. It stops, and as long as the clutch is engaged you'll come to an abrupt halt. Ever parked a car in gear? It's as good as using the handbrake.

    --
    Drill baby drill - on Mars
  2. Re:reversed controls? by mcgrew · · Score: 0, Troll

    now im waiting for a car that is controlled by a keyboard. that would be awsome

    You're a nerd, design and build one!

    --
    Free Martian Whores!
  3. Re:So many problems... by mcgrew · · Score: 0, Troll

    2) A car does not move conducive to the way a joystick moves, the throttle/break and steering need to be seperate.

    No it doesn't; stick forward, accelerate. Stick in the middle, coast. Stick back, brake. Just like the videogames.

    --
    Free Martian Whores!
  4. Re:I can't believe the naysayers by mcgrew · · Score: 0, Troll

    I'm now 56 and I have experienced power steering failure once in my life and the car let me know it was coming well ahead of the actual failure

    The only time I've ever experienced the power steering failing was when the engine itself died (I'm 57), but that is way more common than just losing power steering. Here's an account of one time the engine died...

    --
    Free Martian Whores!