Originally published January 8 2006
General Motors introduces hydrogen fuel cell vehicle with drive-by-wire technology
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
GM's Hy-Wire concept vehicle combines hydrogen fuel cell technology with drive-by-wire, meaning that there are no connections between the car's body and platform, so that the brakes, steering and throttle are operated by a handheld device.
That's the question folks are likely to be asking when General Motors rolls out its Hy-Wire concept vehicle in late 2002.
The alternative fuel prototype is a running, next-generation version of the Autonomy concept introduced at the Detroit auto show.
The "Hy" in its name refers to the hydrogen fuel cell that powers it.
The second part of its name hints at the fact that Hy-Wire is operated by a videogame-style controller, rather than conventional mechanical links.
But an equally novel part of the design means Hy-Wire's body can be quickly removed and replaced with another.
When GM unveiled the Autonomy platform, it posed a fundamental question.
When GM rolled out the original Autonomy platform, it showed a sports car body that could have been at home on the set of a sci-fi film such as "Blade Runner."
Because all the running gear is mounted in the platform underneath, "it gave us an opportunity to rethink the interior," says GM technology chief Larry Burns.
The SL's brakes are smart enough to recognize when a driver is in a panic stop and automatically increase braking force.
But with so many cutting-edge systems on a single vehicle, skeptics have accused GM of using Autonomy to dazzle rather than demonstrate real-world possibilities for fuel cell power.
GM has yet to set a production date for any FCV, though it's likely to be in the 2008 time frame, company sources hint.
GM is betting that if it can not only match the cost and functionality of a conventional car but add some unique features, it could dominate the future market for FCVs.
At an early Aug. 2002 conference in Traverse City, Mich., various industry representatives noted that it currently costs up to 100 times more to produce the same amount of power with a fuel cell.
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