Win a Million Dollars

For $10 m I would create a problem...

Tom

 

I think they have enough problems. If you think you could provide a solution, you should submit a proposal. I am sure they would give your proposal serious consideration.

 

My solution would be for my problem, which is one more that they don't need.

Tom

 

Putting a bounty on the problem & fix actually makes a lot of sense -- and I agree that Toyota should up the ante.

Repeatedly, I've seen situations in which those who designed a system, or were otherwise extremely familiar with a topic, were hindered in finding solutions because "they knew too much." Consciously or subconsciously, they don't look at certain aspects of the problem because they "know" it's not what they're looking for.

Sometimes, a well-grounded individual can therefore find things the experts miss -- precisely because the experts skip looking at some things.

My favorite was the satellite which was launched, achieved orbit, but couldn't get its solar panels to fold out, leaving the satellite useless. Try after try, the experts couldn't do it, and were ready to write it off. But they finally listed to a non-specialist who had been been trying to be heard for some time. He theorized that the panels were locked in place by ice which formed during launch and travel to orbit. And, he said his fix was "shake and bake." OK, they asked, what the #%^@^^ is "shake and bake." He replied: use the position thrusters first to keep one panel assembly towards the sun for an extended period, and then to use the thrusters to giggle the satellite one way and then the other.

With great skepticism, they tried it. Out popped the first panel. Second one opened too the same way. Why was he successful when the specialists weren't? The specialists all knew that the proper steps had been taken to avoid any icing of the satellite, so they didn't look there. [Postscript -- I heard that this guy had marginal performance and would probably have been let go eventually. He was quietly told he was welcome as long as he wanted to stay there...]

It may take a "non-expert" to find the Toyota problem(s).

 

+1. Great example. There are many others, but you picked a good one to show the risks of presuming anything.

 

I've never heard of this satellite problem. Whose was it and do you have a reference to the detail?

 

I tend to doubt there is a link to the story that was recounted. Events in a satellite control facility where the operators are sweating trying to get a $300 million satellite to properly function are generally not publicized. There is a non-trivial amount of money that is at risk and inopportune/poor choice of words could put an insurance policy payment in jeopardy.

Not to mention the jobs of all the people involved.

 

So you're implying it is a made-up story?
Since i read Aviation Week & Space Technology regularly I would certainly have expected it to have shown up there. If it was a Russian satellite I could understand a lack of publicity; otherwise no. So maybe I'll just hit Google and see what transpires.

 

You are the one implying it is a made-up story. I am giving you an explanation why it might not be out there in the Internets. Some things are not available. It doesn't mean it didn't happen. Kind of like with sudden acceleration - just because it can't be produced at will, doesn't mean it isn't occurring.

 

The satellite and its problem were real. The "fix" was real.

I won't name the company involved, as I still have an ongoing relationship with its parent-company.

This occurred before public use of the internet became the least bit common, so it's unlikely to be on the web. The company took great pains to mininize the issue, and to avoid any news stories etc., lest it hinder acquisition of new build contracts.

I learned of the incident because by chance I was then at that location to meet with several members of the site management team -- and I learned about it in confidence from them.

 

Sounds like you have the Toyota syndrome!

But glad to hear they're still in business.