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> John Deere argues that access to the company’s proprietary software could be used to bypass emissions controls or safety measures. On an analog car, I can ph
by Zak 7y ago
> John Deere argues that access to the company’s proprietary software could be used to bypass emissions controls or safety measures.
On an analog car, I can physically remove emissions control devices. I can short circuit the seat belt warning. I can pull a fuse and disable the (not quite analog) antilock brakes. I can fail to change the tires when they have an unsafe amount of tread. I'm less familiar with farm equipment, but I'm sure there are many parallel modifications possible for analog farm equipment.
The courts and the public would not consider the manufacturer responsible in any of the above scenarios. It doesn't follow that it would be any different for users modifying digital systems.
- Topgamer7 7y agoAh its a similar issue with Deere equipment, however they can just make the tool not function if a full systems check doesn't return with Deere approved values.
- inetknght 7y ago> they can just make the tool not function if a full systems check doesn't return with Deere approved values That is the problem.
- lotsofpulp 7y agoIt’s coming for cars too.
- laughinghan 7y agoPreventing repair? It's possible, although it's worth noting that auto makers used to do more to prevent repair, but were forced to back down by a 2012 Massachusetts automotive right-to-repair law. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/automobiles/carmakers-to-share-repair-data.html https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/automobiles/carmakers-to-... via https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/06/opinion/sunday/right-to-repair-elizabeth-warren-antitrust.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/06/opinion/sunday/right-to-r... via OP
- swozey 7y agoSo John Deere sells upgrade packages for its equipment. If you need more torque, towing capacity, etc, you pay for the upgrade. It likely pushes you a new tune and raises the boost. They definitely don't want some local tuner shop being able to handle this for you which explains their reasoning ($$). I've seen the price list once recently but I can't recall how I found it and it's evading me right now. The upgrades were basically several thousand to tens of thousands. Wish I could find where I saw this, searching gets me nothing.
- cwkoss 7y agoThe government should not be enforcing John Deere's attempt to increase sales by crippling half of the products that roll off the line artificially. This is bad for society.
- OJFord 7y agoBut, continuing the analogue analogy, the local shop should be able to compete! The OEM can claim (perhaps rightly, more knowledge of the whole system) to be better at it, or simply offer it without voiding warranty.