Many years ago I was wondering why personal computer (PC) pricing was dropping and car pricing was rising. Several news articles explained the difference, but I still did not get it. I never thought much about it because I did not want to reboot my car at 75 miles an hour on a highway.
One day though I ran across this information from http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showwiki.php?title=Model+S+software+firmware+changelog that has a change log. I have many change logs for our U2logic application software and our XLr8 tools software. I know what those are. I own two cars. I know one of those cars has about 7 computers. But never once have I had the dealer call and say I need a software update. With, I’m guessing here, millions of lines of code running these computers why have I not ever had an update?
Maybe the auto industry, except Tesla in my example, thinks you bought the car or truck as is and you don’t need and update. Obviously, the government will not let a safety update be withheld, but all else is up to the auto company you bought it from.
Let’s, for example, buy a car without cruise control, automatic door locks, and dual air conditioners for you and your seat mate. A few months after you bought this great car, you want the prior mentioned options. Guess what you are out of luck whether by design or by lack of forethought.
Maybe if all cars were built with all of the hardware installed and the software controlled the use, then you and I would have to pay for those options just like we do with our desktop software. With the reduction of components that go into the car by using software to control those options, there would be some price reduction but nowhere what I would like.
Next time you are driving to work think about all of the functions you are using to get from your home to work that could be computerized. Or maybe I will be calling you from my “Johnny Cab”.
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