http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13160950

Interesting tech, but imagine the replacement cost when they fail.

Anyone started work on a laser driver for Megasquirt?

I saw that - and my first thought was "another expensive bit of kit to go wrong" together with "how much will they cost to replace when they go wrong?"

A lot of the technology used in modern cars is amazing - but often it's way too complicated, liable to breakdowns, and horrendously expensive to repair (e.g. dual-mass flywheels).

yeah what's if they want a better burn then just have more spark plugs like piston aircraft have had for decades, then you have increased reliability too

I seem to be seeing more and more modern cars broken down at the roadside now, not less

[Edited on 24/4/11 by Mr Whippy]

Well, with everything on cars going digital (More computers than ever, and now ignition) it wont be long before were looking at cars that have very few mechanical moving parts. How long that lasts, depends on reliability which (as Mr Whippy says) seems to be getting worse, after which we will be looking at more old technology being re-manufactured. Look at the rotary engine for example.

Yes but suppose it gave 20% extra power for free? Dunno if it does or not but there it usually a price customers are willing to pay for an advantage.

I think modern cars are a godsend. true when they go wrong it can be a pain but the issue is they just don't go wrong as often. They are now a bit like washing machines - they just work away in the background for ages and when they don't its a big surprise - and all those years of faithful service are forgotten.

Old cars used to run points and capacitors - remember them? Pain in the butt and good riddance.
Remember changing oil and filters every 3k miles - pain in the but and good riddance.
What about carburetters - remember having to swap loads of jets and needles - pain in the butt - good riddance.

Need I rant any more

Cheers!
David

If the technology can be regarded as a step forward, reducing fuel consumption, increasing power etc, then I am all for it. It is quite amazing that the humble spark plug hasn't really changed in 150 years - isn't it due for an upgrade?

quote:

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Originally posted by v8kid
Yes but suppose it gave 20% extra power for free? Dunno if it does or not but there it usually a price customers are willing to pay for an advantage.

I think modern cars are a godsend. true when they go wrong it can be a pain but the issue is they just don't go wrong as often. They are now a bit like washing machines - they just work away in the background for ages and when they don't its a big surprise - and all those years of faithful service are forgotten.

Old cars used to run points and capacitors - remember them? Pain in the butt and good riddance.
Remember changing oil and filters every 3k miles - pain in the but and good riddance.
What about carburetters - remember having to swap loads of jets and needles - pain in the butt - good riddance.

Need I rant any more

Cheers!
David

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Oh come on - surely you cannot seriously be suggesting that they go wrong more often!!!

The problem nowadays is that very rarely when something is launched it has development problems not yet iron'ed out, but the obvious difference between something going wrong on a 2011 Mondeo and 1971 Escort is the fact that me 'n my dad could fix the Escort - not that it went wrong less......................

I wrote the above repy based on Whippy's first reply rather than second one which seems in line with my post and therefore a tad contradictory to his first LOL

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
yeah what's if they want a better burn then just have more spark plugs like piston aircraft have had for decades, then you have increased reliability too

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I'm still waiting for cost-effective electric cars - mechanically very simple, even if the control gear isn't.

Mind you - manufacturers will probably manage to make it over-complicated...

(and before anyone says it - I know that electric cars just move the fuel/pollution problems elsewhere!)

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
... if they want a better burn then just have more spark plugs

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You're all a bunch of Luddites! :0

Get with the modern world or do you want to go back 20 years - no internet for you then!
Modern medicine? Pah you will just make do with a mouldy cheese skin I suppose.

Why do your old cars need to be easily repaired? Cos you're always repairing them thats why!

Cet a life and get a new car

Cheers!

David

mmm lasers

i know laser pointers can work off 2 watch batteries, and co2 lasers can burn through stuff, but i don't know what kind of voltage they go on. less high voltage electronics must be a good think right? no charging of circuits before being able to fire the lasers etc? sounds good to me! but then i love lasers

quote:

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Originally posted by David Jenkins
I'm still waiting for cost-effective electric cars - mechanically very simple, even if the control gear isn't.

Mind you - manufacturers will probably manage to make it over-complicated...

(and before anyone says it - I know that electric cars just move the fuel/pollution problems elsewhere!)

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