"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 02, 2006
by DragonAtma March 26, 2005
by Baz February 15, 2004
I can't come to hockey tonight as im still waiting for the plumber to fix my radiator.
Bloody hell, that's like Spencer's drive!
Bloody hell, that's like Spencer's drive!
by Fatkid_13 October 11, 2021
A small party of people who roam the neighborhood looking for parties to attend. These parties will often stop by your house and drink all your alcohol or smoke your weed, as they have taken advantage of you only for your resources, then move on to the next house.
Oh shit Joe, all those people just left. They weren't here for very long.
Darn we just got hit by a drive-by party.
Darn we just got hit by a drive-by party.
by Jay Giddens August 30, 2010
Where someone drives you out of state to register to vote so you can vote multiple times and/or illegally. Used to get around voting requirements including felony charges, recent incarceration and/or questionable citizenship.
Did you hear ACORN is sponsoring a Voting Drive, they are going to bus us up to Ohio so us peeps doing soft time can take an active role in deciding who is going to be prez.
by Robert Dotras October 15, 2008
by Swopx July 03, 2015