"Drive-By-Wire," or Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) is a system which severs the direct connection between the accelerator pedal and the throttle control in the engine.
Up until recently, most automobiles had a cable attached to the accelerator leading to the throttle which controlled how much of the gas/air mixture went into the cylinders. Nowadays, however, a lot of cars come with Drive-by-wire systems that send a signal to an electric motor that opens and closes the throttle. You can find this technology in such new cars as the Honda Fit and the BMW Mini Cooper.
This makes a lot of options such as Cruise-control and anti-lock braking easier for the manufacturer to install.
Drive-by-wire doesn't necessarily have to associate itself with just the throttle, however. In the near future, we'll be seeing cars with drive-by-wire steering, brakes, and many other systems that would normally be controlled by the driver.
One of the most prominent examples today is the Toyota Prius. It requires drive-by-wire systems for its Hybrid-Synergy Drive because of the complications of succesfully integrating electric motors and a gasoline engine to provide a smooth ride while returning high fuel mileage.
Some say that this technology is dangerous and destroys the connection between the driver and the auto. This is not entirely true, as many fail-safe devices have been installed to prevent tragedy from a simple breakdown.
Up until recently, most automobiles had a cable attached to the accelerator leading to the throttle which controlled how much of the gas/air mixture went into the cylinders. Nowadays, however, a lot of cars come with Drive-by-wire systems that send a signal to an electric motor that opens and closes the throttle. You can find this technology in such new cars as the Honda Fit and the BMW Mini Cooper.
This makes a lot of options such as Cruise-control and anti-lock braking easier for the manufacturer to install.
Drive-by-wire doesn't necessarily have to associate itself with just the throttle, however. In the near future, we'll be seeing cars with drive-by-wire steering, brakes, and many other systems that would normally be controlled by the driver.
One of the most prominent examples today is the Toyota Prius. It requires drive-by-wire systems for its Hybrid-Synergy Drive because of the complications of succesfully integrating electric motors and a gasoline engine to provide a smooth ride while returning high fuel mileage.
Some say that this technology is dangerous and destroys the connection between the driver and the auto. This is not entirely true, as many fail-safe devices have been installed to prevent tragedy from a simple breakdown.
by tony gagnon November 5, 2006
Get the drive-by-wiremug. (c) Geek Dictionary (tm)
by DragonAtma March 26, 2005
Get the sex drivemug. by Baz February 15, 2004
Get the driving in Englandmug. The event of an erection in a moving automobile despite the lack of pornographic or copulative activity.
In the current vernacular, it may be described as "having a boner in the car even when nothing sexy's going on".
It is caused by the vibrations caused by the movement of the car.
In the current vernacular, it may be described as "having a boner in the car even when nothing sexy's going on".
It is caused by the vibrations caused by the movement of the car.
by chaosportalfilms January 27, 2010
Get the Driving Woodmug. This occurs when a person is stranded on a lonely figurative island of desperation by being disconnected from the internet and walks by a free wifi area (restaurant, home, cafe, etc...), and nonchalantly stands outside and mooches the wifi signal.
Ah sorry I'm late man, my internet is down again. I totally had to drive-by wifi that Cosi on the way over here.
by badassbootydrop July 8, 2010
Get the drive-by wifimug. by swaggieg February 21, 2015
Get the drive yardmug. by The Ferocious Whomper June 19, 2017
Get the drive-backmug.