Car Computers

Do you ever wonder how somebody came up with the first electronically controlled car computer? Why didn't they just stick to the mechanical carb? It was simple and worked just fine. I'm not saying I prefer the carb as I know more about ECU's than I do about Carb's but I am just curious why they had to change it and why?

 

Electric controlled car computers were mainly developed as a result of the rich, respected people who were in one way or another physically disabled. This was necessary to involve them in the joy of owning cars boarding them themselves in cases of emergency; since the hired drivers were not guaranteed to be with them all the time. It also showed that technology accommodates all, whether physically fit or not. That's my view.

 

All cars manufactured today contain at least one computer. It is in charge monitoring engine emissions and adjusting the engine to keep emissions as low as possible. The computer receives information from a many different sensors including; the oxygen sensor, the air pressure sensor, the air temperature sensor, the engine temperature sensor, the throttle position sensor, the knock sensor, the oxygen sensor. Using the information from these sensors, the computer can control things like the fuel injectors, spark plugs and idle speed to get the best performance possible from the engine while keeping emissions low. The computer can also sense when something has gone wrong and can inform the driver with the "Check Engine" light. A mechanic can read a diagnostic code from the computer and fix the problem. Depending on how expensive the car is, there can be all sorts of other computers for example:

• There is probably a computer controlling the automatic transmission
• If the car has anti-lock brakes, there is a computer reading the wheel speed and controlling the brakes
• Many air bag systems have their own computers
• A car with key less entry or a security system has a computer for these systems
• Advance climate control systems often have computers
• Some cars now have motorized seats and mirrors that can remember the settings for multiple drivers, and these contain computers
• Any radio or CD player with a digital display contains a computer of its own
• Cruise control systems use computers

 

This is really a great question/thought. You are right! Why would someone want to do away from the good to go and better than biking vehicles(cars)?

I think this has something to do with our ever growing curious nature. When we (the human race) started with inventing the wheel, it was the big thing at that particular point in time. As we started using the wheel, we understood that we can achieve greater efficiency if we couple it with some force.

So, if you see, it is this hunger of wanting more and more ease in life, which has led us to the point where we are today! I feel that it will keep on happening as long as we have the curiosity element in our brains!