. . .
For example, the Prius has at least these computers:
1) hybrid vehicle ECU 2) engine ECU 3) battery ECU 4) body ECU 5) brake ECU 6) key ECUThese digital computers replace hoses, valves, pins and tumblers found on ordinary vehicles. Many of them have local memory and a record of transient problems. This means you don't have to repeat every failure at the dealer but the stored codes allows them to fix intermittent problems before they reoccur. Still, it reminds me of the old joke:
"At a recent COMDEX, Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated: "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got 1,000 miles per gallon." . . ."