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11 comments
John Timaeus

@kentindell @OliverNoble @nuthatch @danluu

Not really. A quick dive into forums shows that Ford has a fully embuggerred software update system, either failing to install critical updates, or bricking vehicles. There seems to be a trend of incompetent/nonexistent dealer support and a lack of concern at the Mfg level.

I hadn't really thought about buying a Ford, and I've been hesitant to buy anything with push OTA update. Ten minutes of reading forums convinced me to avoid both.

Ken Tindell

@johntimaeus @OliverNoble @nuthatch @danluu If you think it’s easy then you don’t understand the problem. Like why cars need to be parked on level ground to be updated. Or why it entails new microcontroller silicon designs.

John Timaeus

@kentindell @OliverNoble @nuthatch @danluu

I understand the complexity. I don't understand _this_ particular problem because Ford hasn't paid me to do root cause and critical chain analysis. But I understand the domain of life safety & critical infra systems well enough to know that this is fail.

I never said it was easy, and would appreciate that you not put words in my mouth.

What I do say is; If you can't do it right you shouldn't be doing it and selling it to the public.

Bricking a $50-100k device by pushing a bad update is unacceptable. Saying that bricking is a safety feature is a cop out. Failing to address the problem is criminal.

@kentindell @OliverNoble @nuthatch @danluu

I understand the complexity. I don't understand _this_ particular problem because Ford hasn't paid me to do root cause and critical chain analysis. But I understand the domain of life safety & critical infra systems well enough to know that this is fail.

I never said it was easy, and would appreciate that you not put words in my mouth.

Ken Tindell

@johntimaeus @OliverNoble @nuthatch @danluu It’s not bricked: it needs to be connected to an authorized diagnostic tool. But clearly you don’t want to learn and I don’t want to hear uninformed opinion, so on that basis I’m muting this.

Stinson_108 replied to Ken

@kentindell @johntimaeus @OliverNoble @nuthatch @danluu
If the vehicle will not execute any basic functions, like being able to move under it own power in some direct law, limp home mode, then it is, by definition, bricked.

Kyle Brown

@johntimaeus @kentindell @OliverNoble @nuthatch @danluu it's possible that they are required to brick the vehicle in the case of a failed update.

Anything else could involve the vehicle running in an indeterminate state or with a known issue. Both could be liability issues

Of course ideally the update shouldn't fail but that's impossible to guarantee.

Stinson_108 replied to Kyle

@Wearwolf @johntimaeus @kentindell @OliverNoble @nuthatch @danluu
ICE cars have a limp home mode. No cruise control, no traction control etc etc, but you can get home.

jesterchen42

@johntimaeus Yeah... I don't want OTA push, I don't want internet connectivity, I don't want ANY data sent to the manufacturer without explicit consent, I don't want a car that requires security updates, I don't want tons of sensors and helpers (except perhaps a camera in the back), I don't want "smart" or keyless, I don't want touchscreens everywhere.

But I do want an EV. Will there be something like this in the next decade (or 25 years)? 😔

Time for a better bike.

Misuse Case

@jesterchen @johntimaeus There is a dedicated fuse in all these cars for whatever connects them to the internet and you can look up in the owner's manual which fuse it is. Then you can take it out.

flo

@MisuseCase
And after that, you'll get a call from the manufacturer, because your car is offline and they pressure you to get it back online, as happened with the owner of a BMW, some years ago.

Imho, a car does have exactly one purpose:
drive.

Not being "an entertainment system on wheels, that has a computer network integrated".

But ok, I probably won't ever buy a car again.

@jesterchen @johntimaeus

@MisuseCase
And after that, you'll get a call from the manufacturer, because your car is offline and they pressure you to get it back online, as happened with the owner of a BMW, some years ago.

Imho, a car does have exactly one purpose:
drive.

Not being "an entertainment system on wheels, that has a computer network integrated".

John Timaeus

@jesterchen

I am pretty happy with our Honda Clarity. PHEV, 35ish mile range on pure electric. The gas engine is a descendent of the standard Honda 1.4L straight 4. Elegant drive model: 1 reduction gear, 1 electronically controlled clutch for main power, 2 clutches in the differential.

The infotainment/display system is isolated from the operational bits. Software update requires a physical cable.

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