Technology

Unless your computer is from the 70s, it has a computer.

That said, "always connected, getting firmware updates" is a new thing.

Can you elaborate the regulatory part? Is it required by law to have them always connected to force push updates?

I just want a mechanical safety backup for the brakes, even non-EV new cars don't have that :(

Admin right on the automotive parts seems like asking for trouble by default. While I'm very much in favor of owning and controlling all my devices, cars feels like weapons we put in the hand of the general public because they're deemed safe under regulations, so… yeah.

However, an EV with a separate automotive computer that only do car stuff under strict control, connected to another one that do management, UI, entertainment, etc. that's more open, I could see that. As long as the proprietary one have decent changelogs (that you'd have to trust, sadly) and can be updated at will with a decent UX instead of "your car's dead this morning lol". That sound like a viable compromise.

I have a used 2017 Chevy Bolt that I absolutely adore. I bet I could pretty easily disable the OnStar if I was so inclined and paranoid about it somehow getting updates. But I doubt I need to do that.

First one to build the unconnected EV where the purchaser has admin rights (and no one else), wins the race.

Here in the United States a person can already build new or convert existing gasoline vehicles to be "unconnected" and in every way except possibly the battery management doing it with an EV would actually be easier.

It does cost money and take some time but probably less of both than you may think.

Worst thing is they are collecting info on what people do in the car. Here is an article on Nissan monitoring sexual activity inside car.

I'm curious to see if there will be simpler electric cars in the future. Like the bare minimum electric circuit to make the car go forward. I could see a DIY kit for something like that. But the security standards these days ask for way more sensors and cameras to reduce risks of accidents wich is fair tbh.

My 2001 Tacoma get like 24 mpg I think, been awhile since I did the math. Anyways it does all you said, got a tape player crank windows, and a bench controlled by 2 springs and 2 levers.

Ineos Grenadier is close...still waiting on the aftermarket to come up with reprogramming tools

My 2014 Kia Rio has crank windows, no cruise control, 6-spd manual trans. No touchscreens--only buttons.
Car is very slow (1.6L non-turbo) but gets ~36mpg average. I've gotten as much as 40 when actually driving for mpg.

My manual transmission Subaru Impreza has Android Auto and a Reverse Camera. That's the most advanced part of the car. It's a dinosaur otherwise, with a transmission and drivetrain that debuted in 1999 and an engine that's rough but reliable. The instrument cluster has two gauges - speed and RPM. The rest are on a calculator LCD that displays numbers for fuel and miles travelled, and a billion different danger lights that tell you if there's a problem somewhere. It also has electric windows and door locks. And cruise.

The problems the car has as it gets older are none of the electrical bits - they all work fine. It's the rear wheel bearings, suspension bushings, and center differential that wear out over time. Ironically, the most basic, mechanical parts.

Brain Krebs on Mastodon:

https://infosec.exchange/@briankrebs/115361904433612087

Better yet, why don't they just write the shit competently and correctly the first time?

And don't tell me it's too hard; that's the way real software engineering used to be done when stuff shipped on physical media and couldn't be patched, and still is done for stuff that actually matters (avionics, etc.). They just want to pretend PC-level half-assery is acceptable because it's cheaper.

Because then they'll actually need to do recalls instead of just patching issues with an update.