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Woz Cites "Scary" Prius Acceleration Software Problem

theodp writes "Speaking at Discovery Forum 2010, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak went off topic and spoke about a 'very scary' problem with his 2010 Toyota Prius. 'I don't get upset and teed off at things in life, except computers that don't work right,' said Woz, who went on to explain he'd been trying to get through to Toyota and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for three months, but could not get anyone to explore an alleged software-related acceleration problem. 'I have a new model that didn't get recalled,' Steve said. 'This new model has an accelerator that goes wild but only under certain conditions of cruise control. And I can repeat it over and over and over again — safely.' Toyota said it investigates all complaints. 'We're in the business of investigating complaints, assessing problems and finding remedies,' said Toyota's John Hanson. 'After man-years of exhaustive testing we have not found any evidence of an electronic [software] problem that would have led to unwanted acceleration.'" We recently discussed other problems Toyota has had with electronic acceleration systems.

18 of 749 comments (clear)

  1. I don't believe it by kimvette · · Score: 4, Funny

    This new model has an accelerator that goes wild but only under certain conditions of cruise control. And I can repeat it over and over and over again — safely.'

    Um, fact check. 134hp, that's engine + synergy drive. 0-60 is about eight weeks (well, 9.8 seconds but what's the difference?)). Under no circumstance whatsoever short of driving off a cliff will a stock Prius accelerate wildly. Sorry Woz! ;)

    (Uh, I'm kidding. Obviously.)

    --
    The Christian Right is Neither (Christian nor right). See: Matthew 23, Matthew 25, Ezekiel 16:48-50
  2. Re:Typical Customer Service Department attitude by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think you mean 1 to 1000000.

  3. Re:Typical Customer Service Department attitude by torstenvl · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes but as someone who reads Slashdot regularly, the problem is that the ratio of users who know how to use ratios vs those who THINK they know how to use ratios is approx. 1,000,000 to 1.

    Which wouldn't actually be a problem, except that you're the 1.

  4. Do not Fuck with the WOZ! by Sfing_ter · · Score: 5, Funny

    Do NOT Fuck with the WOZ!
    Just DON'T
    It is not prudent.

    --
    A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. Emo Philips
  5. Re:Typical Customer Service Department attitude by Glonoinha · · Score: 3, Funny

    Here's a clue this particular caller might have known what he was talking about : his said 'Hi, my name is Steve Jobs.'

    --
    Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
  6. Re:Typical Customer Service Department attitude by Glonoinha · · Score: 4, Funny

    Whoops - just read TFA. He's the other Apple guy. But close enough.
    I wonder if the help desk at Toyota is hiring, because I just passed their test.

    --
    Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
  7. Re:Typical Customer Service Department attitude by Publikwerks · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes I did. I have no doubt, however, that I will be continued to be corrected throughout this thread. It is my destiny, and I can accept that.

  8. Re:Typical Customer Service Department attitude by Publikwerks · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sweet, the biggest blunder of the thread no longer belong to me!

  9. Re:Jalopnik has been covering this... by Cro+Magnon · · Score: 4, Funny

    The Japanese do it to save face, the Americans do it to cover their ass. Same behavior, but different parts of the anatomy.

    --
    Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
  10. Re:Safely. noted this one on /. before: by Jesus_666 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Which only serves to reinforce the notion that it is, in fact, the same problem.

    --
    USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
  11. Eureka moment in Toyota R&D HQ: by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 4, Funny

    Toyota tech is shouting: "Found it! Found it. I know what is causing the problem. The driver is named Woz"

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    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
  12. Re:Typical Customer Service Department attitude by Dishevel · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes I did. I have no doubt, however, that I will be continued to be corrected throughout this thread. It is my destiny, and I can accept that.

    I will correct your statement that you can accept that. I believe that you in fact can not accept being corrected constantly. Unless you are married. But this is /.

    --
    Why is it so hard to only have politicians for a few years, then have them go away?
  13. Pro American propaganda by harris+s+newman · · Score: 3, Funny

    I love my Toyota, and am sick of all the Toyota bashing. I didn't know that Slashdot was a tool of the propaganda industry.

  14. Re:Jalopnik has been covering this... by Minwee · · Score: 5, Funny

    When you've got one firmly planted in the other, it's really no difference.

  15. Re:Typical Customer Service Department attitude by quadrox · · Score: 4, Funny

    No you're not always wrong!

  16. On Opinions... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    If a man is alone in a forest with no woman nearby to hear him...

    And he expresses an opinion.

    Is he still wrong?

  17. Re:Typical Customer Service Department attitude by Gilmoure · · Score: 3, Funny

    Shoulda' said he was the Izard of Woz. That woulda' got their attention.

    --
    I drank what? -- Socrates
  18. Unwanted acceleration? by PPH · · Score: 3, Funny

    Its a Prius. Toyota still hasn't solved the "wanted acceleration" problem yet.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.