Drive-by-wire is a collective term that refers to a number of electronic systems that supplement or replace traditional mechanical controls. Instead of using cables or hydraulic pressure to steer a vehicle, drive-by-wire technology uses electronic systems to apply brakes, control steering, and fuel the engine.
Drive By Wire – Electronic Throttle Control – Explanation
There are three main components that drive-by-wire systems typically replace with electronic controls: throttle, brakes, and steering. These systems are commonly referred to as electronic throttle control, brake-by-wire, and steer-by-wire.
The most common form of drive-by-wire technology, and the easiest to find, is electronic throttle control. Unlike traditional throttle controls that link the accelerator pedal and throttle valve with a mechanical cable, these systems use a series of electronic sensors and actuators.
Vehicles with computerized fuel controls have used throttle position sensors for decades. These sensors tell the computer the position of the throttle, but the throttle is still activated by a physical cable. In vehicles that use true electronic throttle control (ETC), there is no physical connection between the accelerator pedal and the throttle valve. Instead, the accelerator pedal sends a signal that causes an electromechanical actuator to open the throttle valve.
