Drive By Wire All The Things!

"Scott Keelan" (ScottKeelan)
10/04/2013 at 13:32 • Filed to: None

My prediction of the future of the manual transmission: everything will be controlled by wire via electronic sensors while still retaining the traditional controls.

Just like almost all modern vehicles lack a direct physical connection between the gas pedal and the throttle, I predict that the inputs associated with a manual transmission will also lose their respective direct mechanical connections.

I foresee in the future that electronic sensors will monitor the location of the clutch pedal and gear nob and then send a computerized signal to an electric motor/servo that will then operate the clutch or gear itself.

In the future there may still be cars available with three pedals but I predict the steering, throttle, brake, clutch, and even the gear selector will all be controlled electrically.

What thinks you Oppo?

DISCUSSION (14)

William Byrd > Scott Keelan
10/04/2013 at 13:34

I think that is a good possibility. Heck I'll take it over no manuals. Sort of like in the Matrix where dude says he knows the steak isn't real, but it still tastes so good!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Scott Keelan
10/04/2013 at 13:34

You almost described paddle shiftters on PDK

PatBateman > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/04/2013 at 13:35

I don't have a problem with paddle shifters. I DO have a problem with a pseudo manual transmission that I have to pretend is a real manual transmission to drive.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Scott Keelan
10/04/2013 at 13:39

You ever notice that shift levers for automatics have been getting bigger and bigger while the need for their size is getting less and less?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > PatBateman
10/04/2013 at 13:40

Yes, those suck balls.

VW Fan Boy > Scott Keelan
10/04/2013 at 13:43

Don't know if you saw my post recently, but Bosch is close to bringing an e-clutch pedal to the market. Link in article

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/manual-transmi…

Scott Keelan > PatBateman
10/04/2013 at 13:44

Imagine a sad future where all of the traditional controls of manual transmission are still in the same place but you aren't really controlling anything.

PatBateman > Scott Keelan
10/04/2013 at 13:45

I feel that way every time I go to the voting booth.

dogisbadob > Scott Keelan
10/04/2013 at 13:46

All manual transmissions shoud have a gated shifter.

Of course automated clutches have been used in the past (Valeo, Sensonic, etc)

You're describing something like early SMG's, Ferrari's 90s F1, etc. right?

Scott Keelan > VW Fan Boy
10/04/2013 at 13:49

Great article. I agree with you on many levels.

Scott Keelan > PatBateman
10/04/2013 at 13:50

Kinja'd!!!

deekster_caddy > Scott Keelan
10/04/2013 at 13:54

I got a ride inside a big sleeper Kenworth cab a few years ago (maybe it was a Peterbilt), and it had pneumatic solenoids that physically moved the shift lever for you, and it was drive by wire all over the place. All the driver had to do was step on the gas pedal and steer - it would reduce throttle, push the clutch pedal in, move the shifter, rev-match the engine, release the clutch and reengage the throttle all by itself. It was very fast too, it probably shifted as fast as a typical driver in a car could shift. And it would do the reverse when you wanted engine braking. It was pretty impressive, really. The big HOWEVER is that everything besides the throttle was still actually mechanical - it was servos and solenoids moving everything physically for you, and in the event of a malfunction, you could still take over and drive it old-school.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Scott Keelan
10/04/2013 at 14:12

This is great until the connection gets severed because you drove past a telephone pole. Then your car drives right into a preschool. And then catches on fire.

That's pretty much how I feel about that. I see where you are going but hate the idea. Look at drive by wire throttle bodies when they first came out. Imagine your steering acting that way. Or your brakes. That's cool no thanks.

/analogtimeidiebutiloveefi

Pure87 > Scott Keelan
10/04/2013 at 16:32

I have no problem with it. I'd much prefer a mechanical system, but this is better than no manual at all.