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Classic VW bugs famously have an issue with their clutch cable- it will eventually break, causing the clutch to unexpectently engage. If you happened to be wai

Classic VW bugs famously have an issue with their clutch cable- it will eventually break, causing the clutch to unexpectently engage. If you happened to be waiting at a red light the car could lurch into the intersection if you didn't have your foot strongly on the brake. (this happened to my dad, no injury, just scary). So the controls have to be reliable and robust. It will be easier to demonstrate this if the system is simple. So I think we would prefer software to not be involved in safety systems, but if it must be done you need to go to extraordinary measures to demonstrate its safety. How you do this for something like full self driving where there is a trained system involved (i.e., that you don't know how it works) I have no idea.

6510 3y ago
Right, it should fail into the desired state. Electronics are wonderful to inform the driver their clutch cable broke. It may fail and tell you it's broken when it isn't. You could continue to drive and have it fixed eventually. Other data would be available so that the diagnosis can change to a defective clutch cable sensor. It can then register the defect on the manufacturer website and garages along your regular driving route and/or near your home can bid on replacing the sensor. You pick the bid most convenient to you, they order the part, you arrive at the dynamically negotiated time, they replace it immediately or give you a loaner. Long story short, I'm getting a framework laptop. (haha)