US regulators have kicked off what promises to be a thorough investigation of glitches allegedly plaguing some of Toyota’s vehicular systems and related software.
The probe will be conducted by experts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), while the National Academy of Sciences is slated to initiate a separate, 15-month study into the use of computer technology in cars.
“NASA is an organization that has a great deal of expertise in electronics. And they’re going to look at the electromagnetic problems that people believe have occurred,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told ABC News.
“We want Toyotas and all cars to be the safest they can possibly be. And if these folks can help us get there, then it will be well worth the time and energy and money it takes to get there.”
According to NASA spokesperson Keith Henry, the engineers investigating the issue of Toyota’s sudden acceleration are the “top people” in their field and specialize in such areas as electronics and crew systems related to cockpits.
“Possible electrical faults are something that these engineers have been looking at for years and years,” he added.
