Crashing this could get expensive.

[OakLeaf]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/07/toyota.html

[pll]

Interesting. I had to look a video and actually found one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWzdWMapJ-c

[KnottedYet]

Are people really so terrorized by the concept of shifting that we must invent all this gobbledygook just to shift a bike?

I fear for humanity's future. We are turning into custard.

Don't mind me, I'll be out back with Jobst Brandt, being a curmudgeon... :cool:

[Catrin]

hmmmm, what happens if you get distracted?

:eek: (picturing where my mind can go on the bike)

On a related note, I am always amused at how many people I meet who seem to be surprised when they find out my car has a manual transmission - by choice :cool:

[Owlie]

Are people really so terrorized by the concept of shifting that we must invent all this gobbledygook just to shift a bike?

I fear for humanity's future. We are turning into custard.


While I think it's cool that they can make it work, I agree. It's not that hard.

[OakLeaf]

I don't think it's ever intended for the consumer market. :D Just a prototype "see what we can do."

Considering it's sponsored by Toyota, I think the intended market is probably race cars (where being able to shift by a thought would confer the kind of micro-advantage that helps win races). But it's a whole lot cheaper to build a prototype bicycle helmet and integrate it with already-existing wireless shifters, than to build a prototype car helmet and wireless receivers for a car's shift-by-wire system.

Every once in a while you see something similar that they're working on for quadriplegics and people with muscle wasting diseases. That would obviously be an application for this stuff, but putting it into a prototype that able-bodied people might think about using themselves, attracts more attention and thus more funding. :)

[jessmarimba]

I bet the guy I saw riding through my neighborhood yesterday with his right arm in a cast from fingers to upper arm sure wished he had this bike!

[bmccasland]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/07/toyota.html

Wonder what the bike would do if I thought: "oh, look!, Bird!" :eek::D
Or would the bike refuse to gear down because I wanted to stop at a bakery? :p

[Catrin]

Wonder what the bike would do if I thought: "oh, look!, Bird!" :eek::D
Or would the bike refuse to gear down because I wanted to stop at a bakery? :p

The latter could be a selling point:

"The bike that goes the distance in helping you reach your weight loss goals! The GPS unit (optional in select models) allows you to program how many ice cream stores or bakeries you can stop at on a monthly basis!"

:)

[Possegal]

On a related note, I am always amused at how many people I meet who seem to be surprised when they find out my car has a manual transmission - by choice :cool:

Me too! And they are now all shocked because I'm upset that the car I've had for 9 yrs and would like to replace with the same car, no longer comes as a manual. I don't want an automatic, and I don't want to go one level down in the car. Why do car makers think that if we want the nice seats and moonroof and entertainment options, we can't possibly also want a stick. :confused:

[pll]

Me too! And they are now all shocked because I'm upset that the car I've had for 9 yrs and would like to replace with the same car, no longer comes as a manual. I don't want an automatic, and I don't want to go one level down in the car. Why do car makers think that if we want the nice seats and moonroof and entertainment options, we can't possibly also want a stick. :confused:

Another one with manual transmission by choice here! I also consider it an anti-theft device. Even more perplexing to people than the manual transmission is the fact that I don't have automatic locks and windows. It's all manual, baby. Also, people are in disbelief when I tell them it costs less (~$1000 less) than the same model with automatic transmission.

[Catrin]

Sales manager at my dealer told me the manuals are the slowest to leave his lot, it was just a coincidence they had one in the model and color I wanted. They simply would have had to get one for me from another dealership if they hadn't...

I agree it is an anti-theft device - and is also easier on the brakes and gas mileage. The one time I have regretted a manual was after my foot surgery...I couldn't drive for a LONG time :eek:

[KnottedYet]

I think those of us who drive stick-shifts should get discounts on our insurance.

We know the inertia of our cars. Intimately.

We can disengage the engine at a moment's notice. (no runaway Toyotas for us!)

We can downshift if our brakes fail or fade.

We simply cannot talk on the phone or text while driving.

If we park on a hill, in gear, the car won't roll away even if the parking brake poops out.

[Owlie]

Well, thanks for saying that all of us that drive automatics are inconsiderate drivers or stupid or something.

Honestly, there are lots of times on here where I feel I'm getting attacked. I know it's the internet and therefore nothing personal, but still.:rolleyes:

[Blueberry]

This is why I have a VW. Nice creature comforts - and a manual transmission:)

[KnottedYet]

Well, thanks for saying that all of us that drive automatics are inconsiderate drivers or stupid or something.

Honestly, there are lots of times on here where I feel I'm getting attacked. I know it's the internet and therefore nothing personal, but still.:rolleyes:

Where did that come from?

[Owlie]

Where did that come from?

The "texting and talking while driving" bit. (But then, I'm not coordinated enough to drive and talk/text at the same time.) And it seemed like you were saying that we're not as familiar as we should be about how our vehicles behave.

I'm having an "off" day.

[KnottedYet]

The "texting and talking while driving" bit. (But then, I'm not coordinated enough to drive and talk/text at the same time.) And it seemed like you were saying that we're not as familiar as we should be about how our vehicles behave.

I'm having an "off" day.

Sorry you are having an off day. :o

It is physically impossible to text or hold a phone while driving a stick-shift. You must have a hand free to work the shifter and one to hold the wheel.

That's not a slight at you, it's a simple fact about the number of upper limbs of the average human.

Cars that have clutches are mechanically able to substitute for a wide range of failures of other systems. (heck, if the starter motor dies you can "bump-start" a stick-shift by rolling it down a slope and popping the clutch.)

Again, not a slight at anyone who drives an automatic, just a simple mechanical fact.

Since my car mechanically has redundant systems for safety and prevents me from doing much distracted-driving, I think it's appropriate that my insurance rates should not be climbing.

Not said anything to disparage drivers of automatic cars. If anything, I'm disparaging insurance companies who don't know a good thing when they see it.

[Owlie]

While I've personally never driven a manual transmission (and can't drive one), I've been in cars with them enough that I sort of get what you need to do. I do realize that there are some things you can do with a manual that you can't do with an automatic.

I misinterpreted your tone from your post. Sorry. :o

[SadieKate]

It is physically impossible to text or hold a phone while driving a stick-shift. You must have a hand free to work the shifter and one to hold the wheel.Haven't you seen anyone driving with their knee? Where have you been, girl?

And now there are Bluetooth phones which take voice commands for texting . . . . :p

I drove stick for years with the old bolted-in bricksized Motorola speaker phone.

[Trek420]

Haven't you seen anyone driving with their knee? Where have you been, girl?

Oh yeah, knee driving while holding the cell phone pinched between your raised shoulder and ear, left hand draped out of the window with a cigarette, newspaper open and resting on the steering wheel and a Taco Bell beef and bean burrito poised in your right hand ....

I see that all the time :eek: :confused: :rolleyes:

[SadieKate]

Don't forget the make-up (or razor).

[luv2climb]

Another one with manual transmission by choice here! I also consider it an anti-theft device. Even more perplexing to people than the manual transmission is the fact that I don't have automatic locks and windows. It's all manual, baby.
Same here! When I was at the dealer and saw the truck with manual transmission, manual windows, no carpet to dirty up (rubber floors), and vinyl seats, I knew that was the truck for me. Less crap to break, easier to keep clean, and I just prefer manual shifting. I guess that comes from riding bikes all my life.

Speaking of bikes with dumbed-down shifting systems, anyone remember the Autobike? They used to have those late-night infomercials for that thing years ago. I actually saw one at the LBS where I took my recumbent to sell on consignment.

[pll]

Oh, rubber floors! I wish my car had that. Why do we need carpet in cars, actually?

[OakLeaf]

Less crap to break

That's actually a myth now, probably it was true in the early days of automatic transmissions. Nowadays manuals are much more likely to fail.

I do kind of pride myself - the last stick-shift car I owned, I was younger, it was a sporty car, I bought it used and the prior owner I think probably wasn't any easier on the tranny than I was :rolleyes: - but I drove it for another 15,000 miles after the second gear syncro went out. DH (whom I met in that period of time) never could drive the thing without grinding the gears. "Honey, you've just got to feel the engine and shift when the car tells you it's okay." :D


Anyway I don't think it will be long before all cars have CVT. It's so much better for fuel economy, not to mention smoother.

[VeganBikeChick]

Add me to the manual transmission group. Although I had manual VWs and now I have my first manual Subaru. I have to say the VW's shifted a lot nicer and engaged a lot quicker, but I still love my new car :D.

[luv2climb]

Oh, rubber floors! I wish my car had that. Why do we need carpet in cars, actually?
+1! I can't think of any good reason for it. I wish we didn't have to have it in apartments either. At least when you're a homeowner you can rip that bacteria sponge crap out, but when you rent, it seems like every landlord is infatuated with putting that beige crap in that shows every stain. Linoleum, tile, or laminate would pay for itself in the long run because it wouldn't get trashed as easily and it's much easier to keep clean. Once something liquid soaks into carpet, you're not getting it all up. Same with dirt. I've removed plenty of carpet and seen tons of dirt on the floor underneath. Yuck!

Also, all that dust and dirt can't be good for allergy sufferers. Luckily I don't have allergies.


That's actually a myth now, probably it was true in the early days of automatic transmissions. Nowadays manuals are much more likely to fail.

Anyway I don't think it will be long before all cars have CVT. It's so much better for fuel economy, not to mention smoother.
That's good to know. Actually I was referring to the manual windows when I said "less crap to break".

What's CVT? I'm guessing "constant velocity transmission". I've never heard of CVT.

[Jolt]

+1! I can't think of any good reason for it. I wish we didn't have to have it in apartments either. At least when you're a homeowner you can rip that bacteria sponge crap out, but when you rent, it seems like every landlord is infatuated with putting that beige crap in that shows every stain. Linoleum, tile, or laminate would pay for itself in the long run because it wouldn't get trashed as easily and it's much easier to keep clean. Once something liquid soaks into carpet, you're not getting it all up. Same with dirt. I've removed plenty of carpet and seen tons of dirt on the floor underneath. Yuck!

Also, all that dust and dirt can't be good for allergy sufferers. Luckily I don't have allergies.

I'm with you on the carpet thing--yuck. Besides the dirt/dust/allergy factor, I would much rather sweep/dust mop than push a heavy, loud vacuum cleaner around. My last apartment was all hardwood and linoleum floors; the place I am in now has carpet as did every other apartment I looked at here (but around here all the landlords seem to love putting in medium-blue carpet rather than beige). I think part of it has to do with noise reduction; people stomping around on a carpeted floor make less noise for the people below them than if they were stomping around on a hardwood floor.

[luv2climb]

I'm with you on the carpet thing--yuck. Besides the dirt/dust/allergy factor, I would much rather sweep/dust mop than push a heavy, loud vacuum cleaner around. My last apartment was all hardwood and linoleum floors; the place I am in now has carpet as did every other apartment I looked at here (but around here all the landlords seem to love putting in medium-blue carpet rather than beige). I think part of it has to do with noise reduction; people stomping around on a carpeted floor make less noise for the people below them than if they were stomping around on a hardwood floor.
You're right about the noise factor. Too bad they can't come up with some kind of insulation underneath a hard floor that reduces noise.

[OakLeaf]

What's CVT?

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission


And, count me for the fabric interior. I just put a beach towel on the seat when I'm sweaty. Vinyl will literally burn my legs and back when a car's been parked in the sun, and my DH gets an allergic reaction on his hands and left arm just from the plastic in the steering wheel and door panel.

[luv2climb]

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission


And, count me for the fabric interior. I just put a beach towel on the seat when I'm sweaty. Vinyl will literally burn my legs and back when a car's been parked in the sun, and my DH gets an allergic reaction on his hands and left arm just from the plastic in the steering wheel and door panel.
Thanks for the link, learned something new today. :)

I've burned myself on my seat, but the pain never lasts more than a few seconds so I don't think I did any damage.

[OakLeaf]

Also braking - saving 130 ms per maneuver:

http://iopscience.iop.org/1741-2552/8/5/056001

[buffybike]

Me too! And they are now all shocked because I'm upset that the car I've had for 9 yrs and would like to replace with the same car, no longer comes as a manual. I don't want an automatic, and I don't want to go one level down in the car. Why do car makers think that if we want the nice seats and moonroof and entertainment options, we can't possibly also want a stick. :confused:

Haha! I drive a minivan with "manual" doors. When i pull into the car pickup lane at my daughter's school, the volunteers just stand there waiting for me to press the little button that opens the door. I have to roll down my window every time and say, "you have to OPEN IT. With your ARM.". Then i try to look apologetic for making them work so hard.