http://disq.us/p/27jcbky
Mike Ceranski • an hour ago
In my opinion, the root software problem isn't new code. It's legacy code that is embedded in function specific devices -- often called "PLCs", short for Programmable Logic Controller. PLCs are hardware devices perfectly suited for handling all the functionality for a specific set of tasks like windshield / washer operations. This sounds like a real time-saver but it can cause MAJOR issues if integrated into a BEV operating system. When the wipers automatically fire, or are turned on manually by the driver, that voltage request must be sent and approved by the BEV battery management system (specifically the electrical / battery sub-system) to ensure there's enough electricity for everything happening in the vehicle. Imagine a coder who doesn't fully understand all possible electrical actions/states of the legacy windshield PLC and therefore doesn't cover all possible voltage needs, much less simple error states (ie, the washer fluid is empty). The legacy windshield PLC probably wasn't designed or built by VW but by a sub-contractor who likely never considered a thorough API for their windshield PLC much less a fully functional & documented two-way API that would allow complete communication between a BEV's opsys and the windshield PLC. Now multiply this by 20, 40, or even 50 PLCs embedded in today's legacy autos. PLCs for climate control, dashboard controls, lighting, ABS, traction control, etc., etc. None of which were designed to be sub-systems in full communication with a software overloard (the BEV opsys). That's one of the reasons Tesla is so far ahead; they avoided the siren call of off-the-shelf PLCs and made it all software sub-systems that are part of the Tesla BEV opsys. The added benefit is that OTA updates can update any subsystem from braking to power management to... you guessed it, windshield wipers. (Which means there is hope that Tesla windshield wipers will eventually get really, really good. But it will probably be a serious bit of AI that finally conquers the "windshield" challenge. Weather comes in a LOT of different forms so automatic windshields have a ton of variables to handle. It isn't a minor thing to handle the weather in Norway vs. Hawaii vs. Vancouver vs. Coober Pedy in Australia. Sorry about the long post but this is a really deep issue and clearly exposes why legacy auto makers will never be truly successful in EVs until they completely change their internal paradigm to the car as an iPhone on wheels.
