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this post was submitted on 29 Dec 2023
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How is this a transition, though?
I had a 1981 four-cylinder Ford Ranger that needed it's onboard computer replaced so the damn thing would stop shuddering while idling. The thing had a damn carburetor, this was prior to fuel injection. Still had a small "computer" inside of it.
Computers have been in vehicles and managing parts of vehicles for forty fucking years or more.
The real transition is deciding that the electronic sensors are cheaper than physical sensors, despite physical sensors (often) being more accurate and less prone to failure.
They need to convince you it's different so you'll eat the $50/month subscription.
And even further back than that, the B-29 used computers for the remote controlled defensive guns that would provide bullet drop compensation for the gunner.
And even further back than that, the USN had highly advanced mechanical fire control computers to assist with naval artillery targeting of moving and stationary targets.
Exactly. My Volvo S60 is internal combustion and is basically a rolling computer.
Shit, yesterday some software crashed and caused the power steering to go out while I was driving. That was fun.
Having computers isn't the problem, having remotely controlled computer with cryptographically paired components and limited user-accessible diagnostics is. If they can effectively control the software, they can force you into a subscription to access basic features and require you to visit their dealers to get service.
Transition in the same way it is for all software these days. The difference is the expectation of always on connections, constant telemetry, and continuous delivery of updates. That’s quite a bit different than the software model used for your 1981 Ranger. Though it’s not specific to cars.