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This also makes me wonder who will be providing software & security updates for the current crop of EVs in 15-20 years time? They are basically 2-ton computers

This also makes me wonder who will be providing software & security updates for the current crop of EVs in 15-20 years time? They are basically 2-ton computers on wheels, capable of inflicting huge damage if / when they are hacked or experience a catastrophic bug. Who will be responsible? I hope no vehicles rely on a valid SSL certificate.

mariuolo 4y ago
I believe the answer will have to come from above, i.e. governments. Industry is unable to self-regulate on this.
dagmx 4y ago
This is an odd take because EVs are no more computers on wheels than ICE cars. They probably actually have fewer electrical components to drive and monitor. You’re likely conflating that EVs tend to come with the better tech packages but in almost every case where there’s an ICE equivalent you can get the same tech packages in the equivalent car. Now if your point is long term software updates, this has been an issue for many years across many manufacturers. It’s very much like Android vs iOS where many android phones don’t receive updates after a small period due to the low incentive to the manufacturer and the high variance in SKUs . However in vehicles like Volvo, Tesla etc where they’ve kept variance low there’s quite a lot of software updates over time.
- tomxor 4y ago
  > This is an odd take because EVs are no more computers on wheels than ICE cars. They probably actually have fewer electrical components to drive and monitor. Somewhat true, somewhat untrue. All modern cars have at least some kind of ECU, and have done now for a long time now, with lots of sensors etc for engine management and more - however comparatively these are simple and un-networked devices with a singular purpose - managing the engine and basic electronics (lights, wipers, critical stuff). Some modern luxury cars including ICEs and EVs have gone way beyond this and added "entertainment units" aka distractotrons, and then networked the entire car to this thing (including the ECU) as a central control with remote network access, and millions of lines of code more than the majority of OS and browsers. Perhaps it's because most EVs are luxury cars, but EVs do tend to fall into the latter category of overcomplicated networked monstrosities. Especially tesla, where a software update can brick something as trivial and traditionally dependable and independent as an electric window motor. Simple ECUs should make the need for security patches extremely unlikely simply due to the attack surface. There should be an international automaker law that prohibits them from making a networked, remotely accessible ECU, keep the distractotron as a separate thing so that when it inevitably bricks itself it wont take the actual car with it.
webmobdev 4y ago
EV Manufacturers: "Repeat after me - planned obsolescence is a feature."
- mistrial9 4y ago
  subscriptions hasten the end-of-life equation

mariuolo 4y ago

I believe the answer will have to come from above, i.e. governments. Industry is unable to self-regulate on this.

dagmx 4y ago

This is an odd take because EVs are no more computers on wheels than ICE cars. They probably actually have fewer electrical components to drive and monitor. You’re likely conflating that EVs tend to come with the better tech packages but in almost every case where there’s an ICE equivalent you can get the same tech packages in the equivalent car. Now if your point is long term software updates, this has been an issue for many years across many manufacturers. It’s very much like Android vs iOS where many android phones don’t receive updates after a small period due to the low incentive to the manufacturer and the high variance in SKUs . However in vehicles like Volvo, Tesla etc where they’ve kept variance low there’s quite a lot of software updates over time.

tomxor 4y ago
> This is an odd take because EVs are no more computers on wheels than ICE cars. They probably actually have fewer electrical components to drive and monitor. Somewhat true, somewhat untrue. All modern cars have at least some kind of ECU, and have done now for a long time now, with lots of sensors etc for engine management and more - however comparatively these are simple and un-networked devices with a singular purpose - managing the engine and basic electronics (lights, wipers, critical stuff). Some modern luxury cars including ICEs and EVs have gone way beyond this and added "entertainment units" aka distractotrons, and then networked the entire car to this thing (including the ECU) as a central control with remote network access, and millions of lines of code more than the majority of OS and browsers. Perhaps it's because most EVs are luxury cars, but EVs do tend to fall into the latter category of overcomplicated networked monstrosities. Especially tesla, where a software update can brick something as trivial and traditionally dependable and independent as an electric window motor. Simple ECUs should make the need for security patches extremely unlikely simply due to the attack surface. There should be an international automaker law that prohibits them from making a networked, remotely accessible ECU, keep the distractotron as a separate thing so that when it inevitably bricks itself it wont take the actual car with it.

webmobdev 4y ago

EV Manufacturers: "Repeat after me - planned obsolescence is a feature."

mistrial9 4y ago
subscriptions hasten the end-of-life equation