Auto Web site Edmunds offers $1 million for cause of runaway Toyotas (WP)

[heli]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/02/AR2010030202568.html

Auto Web site Edmunds offers $1 million for cause of runaway Toyotas
By Peter Whoriskey
Washington Post Staff Writer

It's sort of like "American Idol" for auto mechanics. Amid the controversy over Toyota's runaway cars, an automotive Web site is offering a $1 million prize to any tinkerer who can figure out the cause of the phenomenon.

For now, the causes are shrouded in an engineering mystery. While the automaker says it has corrected the defects that caused sudden unintended acceleration by fixing floor mats and accelerator pedals, some safety advocates and drivers believe there is something awry in the engine electronics. The disagreement has left Congress and federal regulators grasping for answers as to whether the cars are safe. To settle the dispute, Edmunds.com is offering the prize money to elicit a "crowd-sourced" solution, one that emerges by inviting large numbers of people to think about it.

According to the company, the prize will go to a person who can "demonstrate in a controlled environment a repeatable factor that will cause an unmodified new vehicle to accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly." Edmunds will make details of the competition available later this month.

The company's analysis of complaints submitted to federal regulators showed that Toyota has more cases of unintended acceleration per vehicle sold than any other major manufacturer. But it noted that all carmakers receive such complaints and urged the industry to take a harder look at the issue. "We'd like to get to an answer," Edmunds chief executive Jeremy Anwyl said.

[ztlore]

Will Edmunds give contestants free cars to work on or what?

[wilt the stilt]

1. it's the mats

worst excuse ever.

[hlthe2b]

2. If it is computer based.... how could those without access

to the programming determine it to be the case?

[musiclawyer]

4. I don't know, but it's a brilliant idea

Keeps their website in the limelight, and maybe just maybe the cash is incentive for some professors and grad students somewhere go for it. But I think 1 million might be too cheap. It might taske a lot of money to do verifiable testing and re-testing

[ingac70]

6. ....

http://www.snotr.com/video/4009

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. I'd like to design clothes for a Toyota!

Oh. Damn. I misread the title.

[ingac70]

5. Expert recreates Toyota sudden acceleration

http://www.snotr.com/video/4009

[Edweird]

7. Uh, didn't the Woz already point out it was a software problem?