[supra93]

The world of automotive inventions and patents is nothing if not complicated. Reading through this lengthy application Toyota filed to the US Patent & Trademark Office back in January, we think we understand what’s going on here. Of course, we welcome you to check out the application for yourself, because we’d love to get your feedback on whether this is a novel idea, or an attempt to fix a nonexistent problem.

As far as we can tell, the patent involves an electronic control unit that can operate the clutch and gearbox of a proper manual transmission, by which we mean a car with three separate pedals and a lever in the middle to change gears by hand. When activated, the control unit can automatically disengage the clutch when the car is coasting, but it can also operate the gearbox to take the car out of gear. As such, it can also actuate a series of lock pins that would prevent the driver from shifting to a gear too low or too high given the vehicle’s speed.

In other words, it would keep all you boy racers from executing high-rpm downshifts just to hear the exhaust pop. On the other side of the coin, it would keep you manual transmission newbies from accidentally going to third gear instead of first as you coast to a stoplight, saving you from a very embarrassing stall in front of the entire world.

http://www.supramkv.com/threads/toyo...by-itself.638/

[Red Bread]

Rev matching, computer selected neutral engagement, aren't we essentially at the point that F1 was at before they finally implemented two pedal cars? I assume we're getting to the point where manual drivers will need to engage the clutch, select first and that's the only time they'll truly need to use the clutch.

[zx10guy]

Looks like the car world is finally catching up to motorcycles. You can get production sport bikes where you don't have to touch the clutch to upshift AND downshift. The only time you use the clutch is when you're at a stop.

[MightyMouseTech]

Another reason for this is to be able to have a manual transmission car that can still comply with new safety regs and brake itself for automatic collision avoidance, without stalling.

[nick3753]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Another reason for this is to be able to have a manual transmission car that can still comply with new safety regs and brake itself for automatic collision avoidance, without stalling.

I would think this is the only reason for this patent/change. Otherwise just use automatics.

[jakeusurungus]

^+1

I'm onboard for the safety speculation.

Certainly won't hurt those that have a difficult time driving a standard.

[Fundguy1]

That's my theory too. Just glad someine hasn't given up on manuals yet.

[Mingwan]

I was driving the other day and almost rear ended someone who decided to stop in the middle of the road (I think he was lost). I was caught off guard, and almost stalled my car. I thought about how helpful this would've been.

[ShocknAwe]

This is cool actually. Adapting manual gearboxes to new tech means it has a future in automotive engineering.

Wonder if this would enable pairing of a manual box to hybrid powertrain...

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

This is cool actually. Adapting manual gearboxes to new tech means it has a future in automotive engineering.

Wonder if this would enable pairing of a manual box to hybrid powertrain...

Certainly will help. Although Honda's really been the only one to offer manuals with hybrids. But I bet Porsche will be added to that list soon.

[Blackraven]

Would this make manual stickshift driving more beginner-friendly? (e.g. similar to the Ford Focus RS with the anti-stall feature?)

[WhatsADSM]

I'm sorry did someone say Toyota and manual in the same sentence?

I also agree with stated above. This is probably as much about collision mitigation as other things.