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Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

Photo of David W. Gilbert

ENGINEERING COLLOQUIUM

Monday, April 24, 2017 / 3:30 PM, Building 8 Auditorium

David W. Gilbert

"Safety Awareness Campaign: The Toyota Acceleration Question"

ABSTRACT -- With the growing complexity and interaction of numerous electronic and computerized systems on today’s vehicles, special attention to testing methods and details can be extremely important for safety and reliability concerns. The most elusive type of electrical problem is one that is intermittent; appearing and vanishing without any readily identifiable or traceable cause. This unfortunate scenario can be costly to repair and can compromise vehicle safety in some circumstances. It was these uncertainties that encouraged my initial research of news media reports regarding unintended acceleration of a number of Toyota vehicles.

Innocent curiosity was only the beginning of a most notable and extraordinary life experience. Prompted by my primary authoring of an electronic engine controls paper investigating Toyota electronic throttle control diagnostics, I was invited to provide expert testimony before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce in February of 2010. This congressional hearing was instrumental in furthering a NASA investigation into the electronics of Toyota electronic throttle controlled vehicles. One of the key findings shown in the NASA report, was the important discovery of multiple tin whiskers found inside certain Toyota accelerator pedal sensors.

What I intend to share in this talk, is my unexpected journey surrounding what was a seemingly simple statement of fact. My presentation highlights the numerous rewards and challenges that were encountered during the prominent Toyota electronic throttle controls investigation.

SPEAKER -- Dr. David W. Gilbert is an associate professor in the Automotive Technology Department at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). Born and raised in Oklahoma, he received his Ph.D. from SIUC, M.S. and B.S. degrees from Oklahoma State University, and an A.S. degree from Northern Oklahoma College. As a college level educator for over 35 years, Dr. Gilbert has taught a number of automotive subject areas and has graduates employed at some of the highest levels of the industry. Engine electrical diagnostics research and performance courses have been at the specialized core of his academic success at SIUC for the past 20 years. Additional achievements include numerous technical publications, consulting, and presentations at the regional, national, and international levels.

Engineering Colloquium home page: https://ecolloq.gsfc.nasa.gov