There has been a significant interest in the automakers to introduce the shift-by-wire technology in their new lineups and Honda appears to have taken the lead. The 2018 Honda Odyssey will feature this technology, where the transmissions will be controlled electronically, without a mechanical connection to the shifter. Chad Harrison, chief engineer for V generation Odyssey said,”Yes, you can simulate a traditional gearshift in that situation as some other makers have.” Honda’s replacement for the mechanical shifter with the buttons which are arranged vertically in the normal PRND sequence, but the buttons aren’t alike: a small rectangular push-in button for park and neutral, a pull-down button for reverse, and a large, squarish button for drive. Jay Joseph, American Honda’s assistant vice president for product planning said,”We were concerned that the complexity was going to cause problems down the road, maybe not for the first or second owner, but further down the road. If the shifter fails, you’re stranded.” Joseph further adds, “the buttons do require some adaptation but it will be a very quick adaptation period.”
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