Toyota's Recent Recalls Prompt Possible Consumer Concerns

                                           
     Toyota has been one of the leading companies in the automotive market for years.  There products have always been super reliable from their cars to their trucks.  Toyota has always been known for the solid service that they give their customers, along with competitive prices.  However, as of late, Toyota has been running in to a few snags with some of the software that is used in their automobiles.  Recalls such as Toyota Tacoma steering wheel spiral cable assembly, safety of certain 2011 Model year Rav4 Vehicles, as well as the accelerator pedal issues have all led to consumer talk and worry over the future of Toyota's trusted name.  In regards to these issues, there are five solid questions that can be asked in order to better understand Toyota and its recall problems.  The first question is, what type of software is used to run Toyota Vehicles?  What is the biggest issue when it comes to this across the board?  Next, in regards to Toyota’s accelerator pedal, what was the main issue that caused for multiple vehicle models to be recalled?  How has Toyota’s recall issues affected the companies reputation and standing in the automotive market?  Lastly, as of today, has Toyota figured out a plan to better control electronic and software issues for their vehicles in the future?  The answers to these five questions will undoubtedly give the general public some better insight in to this dilemma at hand.

An Inside look in to Toyota Leads to Better Software Comprehension:
     
     First off, in order to understand the issues, one must first understand a bit more about Toyota.  To help establish this better understanding, I was able to speak with expert Rance Cleaveland, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland and the Executive Director at the Fraunhofer Center for Experimental Software Engineering.  His primary focus is on software development and verification of software.  Professor Cleaveland has had prior work experience directly with Toyota as well.  What type of software is used to run Toyota Vehicles?
 "Like all cars these days, the major subsystems in Toyotas are controlled by software.  Everything from the engine, to the transmission, to the antilock brakes and power steering, and even the infotainment cluster in these vehicles derive much of the functionality from software.  It has been estimated that industry-wide, 90% of the new feature content found in vehicles these days is enabled by software" (Professor Cleaveland).  
Software, as evident here, is one of, if not the main component when building these vehicles.


Toyota's Software Issue as Seen Throughout the Company:
     The next focus point in regards to Toyota stems from the second question which states, what is the biggest issue when it comes to Software across the board?  The fact that Toyota uses their specific software throughout basically every fascit of their vehicles, lends themselves to similar malfunctions in different areas of the automobile.








Toyota's Accelerator Pedal Causes Worry for Many:
     One of the main Toyota recalls has been the accelerator pedal recall.  The accelerator pedals would stick to the floor mats due to friction and a elongated pedal.  This scenario was a very scary one for many people because the car would remain in motion after the driver had already taken his/her foot off of the gas pedal.  Multiple people have actually died as well from this very serious problem.  However, the problem was fixable since it was mainly mechanical issues that looked to be the main source of the problem.






Audio Clip By A Toyota Customer: 

listen to ‘John and His Toyota Recall’ on Audioboo

Despite Recalls, Toyota Remains Among the Best In Automobile Service and Customer Reliability: 
     Over the past few years, and even months, Toyota has issued recalls on different parts of their vehicle models.  These recalls, while very important for both the passengers safety, as well as the longevity of the vehicle, have made a few customers raise their eyebrow to the issues at hand.  Many of the Toyota customers are used to pristine service and reliable vehicles.  The fact that there have been so many recalls as of late, has perhaps brought to the surface a bit of hesitation in regards to the purchase of a Toyota, at least for a select few individuals.  However, surprisingly, experts say that these recent recalls may have boosted Toyota's standing in the market, due to a positive safety image.  Toyota acted fast to resolve the issues once they were brought to the companies attention.






Toyota Creates A Software Game Plan for The Future:
     Lastly, Toyota as a company is hard at work on composing a plan to better help their products run successful for the longest possible time possible.  They want to make sure that their software and electronics work correctly, while performing at that high level that is expected all of the time.  The question posed to the expert here was, has Toyota figured out a plan to better control electronic and software issues for their vehicles in the future?






    

Toyota's Reinforced Pedal Diagram Expresses Solution:
This diagram on the left is a photo which gives a closer up look in to the pedal recall issue, and the steps that were take to add a reinforced pedal to better control the problem.











Toyota President Jim Lentz Apologizing for Recent Toyota Recalls:
President and COO of Toyota Motor Sales Jim Lentz apologizes for issues and recall on Toyota products. Toyota is working hard at keeping it from happening again.  Toyota works to keep their positive name intact. 





Toyota Responds to Consumer Worry by Working Extra Hours for You!
This next video is very informative on just how large of a recall Toyota has had to deal with.  This look at the company shows how this particular problem has spanned across nearly all of Toyotas product line, causing for Toyota service departments to remain open longer hours, with some even remaining open for twenty-four hours a day.


 


As of now, it looks as if Toyota will remain a power house in the automotive market.  They have for the longest time been extremely reliable, and well trusted.  Even though their have been some recalls and software issues recently, Toyota remains a super power to be reckoned with.  It most certainly will take more than a few software malfunctions to keep Toyota from creating and selling their long time cherished and sought after products to consumers around the globe for years to come.

Verizon and the iPhone in Today's Technological Society

Dr. Jason Farman is an assistant professor in American Studies and the Digital Cultures and Creativity Program at the University of Maryland.  His main focus is spent on mobile technologies aspect of the field.  The specific topic that was discussed in the interview with Dr. Farman was the concept of Verizon and the iPhone.  Verizon and the iPhone have become a hot new duo in today’s mobile society, and here is an inside look into that concept. 

Verizon 4G Coverage:
The first interview question addressed to Dr. Farman pertained to Verizon’s 4G coverage, with a side interest into possible 5G coverage in the future.  This shows how the term 4G is used in regards to Verizon.




iPhone vs. Droid Market:

Dr. Farman was next asked about the droid and its use of Google versus the iPhone and its apps store.

How has this competition of products and their individual markets within Verizon affected one another?

Verizon's Tower Usage:
The third part of the interview took a closer look into Verizon's tower usage in the network.  Each tower is able to be used by multiple carriers at one time.  Professor Farman discusses this in a bit more detail.






Video Increase Through the Use of Mobile Devices Like iPhone:
Lastly, I asked Professor Farman to give me his feedback on the preparations that Verizon has been doing to prepare for significant increase of video in the future through phones such as the iPhone.  Professor Farman was even able to relate this specific topic of Verizon and the iPhone to an actual example from our University of Maryland Campus.  We also get some insight into the idea of signal and its threat on the use of mobile technologies in the future.
  




Verizon + iPhone:
Verizon will continue to use the iPhone to its advantage as far as overall customer appeal and satisfaction, even though it is currently sporting some other amazing products and markets (Droid) as well.  Verizon continues to lead the charge against other carriers on its way to becoming, hands down, the best mobile carrier on the market.

The Governments Role on Privacy in The Technological World and Its Affect on Individual Privacy

     Everyone has the right to privacy in their life.  However, sometimes it isn’t up to you to fully control just how much, how often, and for what specifically.  The government for years has worked on regulating privacy along with digital technology in our everyday lives.  They feel that they must control these fascists of our life instead of handing us all of the control. 

    
 Governments Role:
     In 1998, the government, under the Fair Information Practices Act, brought to the forefront four new rules that were set into place to help protect individual privacy.  These new regulations were as follows; each individual would receive a notice regarding what personal information was gathered and used.  Next, people are allowed to choose whether their information is used, and if so, in what way.  Every individual’s personal information will continue to have solid security as well as allowing everyone to have access to their own information. 

     The government also focuses on analyzing digital technology as well.  An example of this would be the ongoing privacy issues in regards to wireless cell phones.  The Fair Information Practices Act continually tracks and follows the concept of one’s privacy and security, among a few other things.

    Google's Newest Mission:
      As was discussed in class, Google has begun trying to change their privacy regulations in order to combine multiple Google aspects into one.  This way if you are a member of one Google product, you will also be signed up automatically for other Google products, with that same privacy information.  However, many individuals, along with thirty-six state governments, are objecting to this information merger by Google.  A lot of people are arguing saying that just because we may be signed up for lets say Gmail, doesn’t mean that we want that information being used for other Google products and/or services. 

     In response to this, Google argues that in fact the privacy policy is just being simplified, not changed.  They continue to say “Our updated Privacy Policy will make our privacy practices easier to understand, and it reflects our desire to create a seamless experience for our signed-in users” (Google Spokesman).  In this case, only time will tell if this concept indeed will continue to protect privacy as it joins multiple Google aspects together.

     
The Government in Another Angle:
     Another government example of regulating privacy of digital technology would be in regards to the concept of cloud computing.  The government, through the Cloud Computing Advancement Act, is trying to protect individual privacy, while at the same time allowing for the Executive Branch of the government to obtain new tools that are needed for a specific technological area.  The cloud computing platform concept is that there is a bunch of information, which is available wirelessly over a network, which is now being monitored to a certain degree by our government.

     The government will continue to play a role in people’s privacy for years to come.  I like my privacy, as I am sure most people do.  However, that refers to full privacy, not partial privacy regulated by the government.  I hope the concept of “privacy” will remain intact, and not fully be over run and controlled by our government in full.  Both privacy and electronic privacy are an ongoing battle in our society.  We, the consumer, must continue to speak up for individual privacy in this new day and age.    

Image:

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=government+regulating+privacy&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1105&bih=758&tbm=isch&tbnid=HepCFEtPcNJlYM:&imgrefurl=http://www.sparkminute.com/2011/08/22/why-is-the-federal-government-regulating-behavioral-advertising/&docid=uvX3eP-l8qpBgM&imgurl=http://www.sparkminute.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/OnlinePrivacy.jpg&w=560&h=424&ei=RQpNT6QJoebRAdjZ7dIC&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=161&vpy=220&dur=3962&hovh=195&hovw=258&tx=129&ty=76&sig=105001104523035189200&page=1&tbnh=160&tbnw=257&start=0&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

Historical Aspect of Information and Society

     The historical aspect of information and society that I would like to look at here is the concept of Morse Code, which was first used back in the 1840's, after being created by Samuel Morse, and has been used ever sense.  This was a system of beeps, or clicks if you will, which allowed for urgent messages, such as an S.O.S., to be sent out from one location to another using a telegraph machine.  A perfect example of this type of technology being used and adapted into our society would be on airplanes and cruise ships, such as the Titanic.  Back in the day these telegraph machines were used to let other ships know of their position in the water, along with any other problems, or a sinking in the Titanic's case.  Morse code can also be used by using lights or sounds to relay the same messages, as the telegraph machine was able to do.  However, the use of lights and sounds are better used for a smaller proximity.  This helped small ships at sea who had no telegraph machine, but needed to transmit some information to another visible ship.  This machine was a fast, easy way for quick bits of information to be sent to one another with fairly accurate precision, much like our cell phones and computers do today, as long as both people working the machines were certified in Morse Code and knew the in's and out's of the telegraph system.  This is very similar to the idea of tweeting or texting in today's society.  It gets a sentence or two sent out quickly and effortlessly, to a specific person or group of people.  People have become so good at using Morse code that they are able to type between 20 and 40 words per minute.  While some records are said to be into the 60s and perhaps even into the 80s.  This aspect of sending and receiving information can also be seen being used in aviation.  They use it to make sure that the stations the pilots are using are working properly.  The idea of Morse code is still seen a bunch in our current society in regards to Amateur radio casters.  They still use it today in their offices as a way to turn a communication transmitter on and off.  Lastly, there are many different ways and forms of going about using Morse code.  There are American ways of transmitting information, as well as international, and continental ways too.  Morse code has remained exactly the same sense before 1941, besides a small switch, which was made back in December of 2003.  The letters a and c can now be combined using the @ symbol.  The idea of Morse code was a great invention that allowed for important information to be shared via the telegraph machine in order to benefit the needs of individuals in society and our entire society as a whole.  Without this informative invention, many lives could have been lost, along with many ideas being unable to be shared or transmitted throughout our society.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telegraphy

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/morsecode.htm

Intro Assignment #1

     Upon reading these two informative articles, I feel that as a society, we must focus on utilizing less information that is GPS location based.  I feel that for every individual in our society, he or she is entitled to his or her own privacy.  Therefore, if a GPS unit is to be used to track an individuals whereabouts, then I feel it is only fair that who ever wants to track someone, gets that persons permission to do so.  That way, if they are supposedly being made as a helpful device, like the Personal use of GPS article states, than every person involved should be on board already.  However, with this said, I also feel that the benefits of the GPS tracking system can outweigh the risks if handled in the correct and honest way.  In order for these GPS tracking systems to be used as a benefit to society, we must find a way to regulate them and their usage to a certain degree.  If the way that they are actually being used surpasses the limit to with which they were supposed to be used, then this is what will cause for a flip of power, leading to the risks beginning to out weigh the benefits.  GPS is a great technological invention that is able to do a lot of good, however, with all of this ability comes the ability to use it in ways that as a society we really need to make an effort to keep from happening, such as an invasion of privacy.  We as a society need to have everyone that wants to use the GPS type trackers to sign a legal document with all of the parties involved, (I.E. a mother tracking her son’s car, or a son following his mother’s movements because of her dementia, etc.)  Here, the son and mother in both cases would need to sign the same document, showing that they both are aware that there is a GPS tracker set in place.  An example of GPS invading individuals lives is in regards to I believe the company Verizon Wireless and the latest information on their cell phones and how there are GPS trackers that allow for people to be followed anywhere, at any time.  This shows how privacy really cannot be taken for granite.

Institutional Scholarly Resource:

http://www.engr.mun.ca/~mhahmed/privacy/mobile_phone_privacy_report.pdf