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AT-AT Assault :verifiedtrans:

@nuthatch @danluu

Why is a two tone, DEADLY machine forced to receive unimportant updates that could render it inoperable?

25 Dec 2023 at 22:38 | Wall-to-wall | Open on universeodon.com
4 comments
maybenot

@atatassault
hypothetical:
a manufacturing defect is identified that makes the vehicles already in use dangerous, immediate fix is pushed, units that fail to complete the fix are preemptively immobilized, show this screen, wait for technican

26 Dec 2023 at 0:20 | Open on mstdn.social
AT-AT Assault :verifiedtrans:

@maybenot

Why is a mechanical machine engineered in such a way that software can make it dangerous?

26 Dec 2023 at 0:22 | Open on universeodon.com
maybenot

@atatassault it's cheaper this way?
an actuator and a microcontroller will cost less than a mechanical governor / feedback control mechanism (and be more reliable / require less maintenance)

also it allows for more advanced functionality, software controlled hardware
like more efficient engine control / advanced-driver-assists / etc
an extreme example would be tesla's infamous "full self driving"* as a hypothetical hardware fully controlled by software
*does not actually fully self drive

26 Dec 2023 at 0:36 | Open on mstdn.social
maybenot

@atatassault also also you could theoretically have a software hack/fix covering/patching a hardware flaw
(tell the computer to avoid the last 5% range on some actuator or something)

26 Dec 2023 at 0:48 | Open on mstdn.social
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