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> Like NASA, auto companies like VW produce a TON of documentation on all phases of design and engineering. This is especially true when it comes to regulation-
by sheepmullet 11y ago
> Like NASA, auto companies like VW produce a TON of documentation on all phases of design and engineering. This is especially true when it comes to regulation-sensitive processes like emissions testing.
Bingo! A lot of HN is acting like "it could slip through the processes we have at work so I can see how it could happen here" without realising that the processes, documentation, and independent review requirements are 100x more involved and thorough for critical car firmware than they are for a basic software shop.
- billforsternz 11y agoYes and no. Remember the Toyota firmware fracas and the bizarre coding practices (100s of global variables anyone?) that were eventually revealed. Adding heavyweight process doesn't necessarily solve more problems than it creates.
- ams6110 11y agoI'm not sure emissions controls are considered "critical firmware" in the same sense as systems that could actually kill the occupants of the vehicle if they fail. Or rather, I hope they aren't.