Gadgets in modern cars
Discussion
So, I glanced into the car next to me at the lights the other day and I noticed that the speedo was a large LCD screen (Mercedes S class circa 2009 reg)
It got me thinking, when I can afford a car like that when it reaches shed territory will the screen by knackered? Would I be even able to replace it in say 20 years time? If it went pop, how would you read the speed? I noted that the other dials were the traditional needle type.
It makes you wonder how any ultra modern cars with complex electronics and gadgets will still be serviceable in around 20 years time...on a shed budget anyway!
It got me thinking, when I can afford a car like that when it reaches shed territory will the screen by knackered? Would I be even able to replace it in say 20 years time? If it went pop, how would you read the speed? I noted that the other dials were the traditional needle type.
It makes you wonder how any ultra modern cars with complex electronics and gadgets will still be serviceable in around 20 years time...on a shed budget anyway!
Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if ten years from now, Halfords routinely stocked software/laptops etc alongside a few traditional tools.
I think we're in a transition period - things that were once analogue are being redesigned for a digital age. as far as cars are concerned, that process is still in its infancy. Yes, the latest cars are, technologically speaking, far removed from those the typical home mechanic is used to working on but when the 3rd or 4th owners want to maintain them themselves, I'm sure there will be a range of appropriate 3rd party products around that will allow them to do so. Right now, I don't think the demand is necessarily sufficient to make it worth anyone's while.
Basically though, I don't belive this commonly heard prediction that today's cars will become scrap because of dodgy electronics. People will just have to get handy at tweaking software as well as knowing one end of a screwdriver from the other.
I think we're in a transition period - things that were once analogue are being redesigned for a digital age. as far as cars are concerned, that process is still in its infancy. Yes, the latest cars are, technologically speaking, far removed from those the typical home mechanic is used to working on but when the 3rd or 4th owners want to maintain them themselves, I'm sure there will be a range of appropriate 3rd party products around that will allow them to do so. Right now, I don't think the demand is necessarily sufficient to make it worth anyone's while.
Basically though, I don't belive this commonly heard prediction that today's cars will become scrap because of dodgy electronics. People will just have to get handy at tweaking software as well as knowing one end of a screwdriver from the other.
liller said:
Could you imagine discovering that your auto-park has malfunctioned
There are things which it's difficult to trust - in any event. I grew up being wary of what tyres might do (bikes before cars) and despite the technology moving on I'm still wary. Not sure how I would trust an "auto=park" or one that "brakes-because-there's-something-in-front".
I was discussing this with a client yesterday afternoon.
Modern Volvo's have up to 6 SIM cards under their bonnets, managing and reporting all sorts of telematics back to Sweden. It won't be long before every new car from pretty much every manufacturer rolling off a production line is an element of an overall connectivity platform, delivering infotainment services, service instructions, engine tune etc, etc.
The problem from manufacturers of vehicles in particular is monetising the capabaility...
Modern Volvo's have up to 6 SIM cards under their bonnets, managing and reporting all sorts of telematics back to Sweden. It won't be long before every new car from pretty much every manufacturer rolling off a production line is an element of an overall connectivity platform, delivering infotainment services, service instructions, engine tune etc, etc.
The problem from manufacturers of vehicles in particular is monetising the capabaility...
Risotto said:
Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if ten years from now, Halfords routinely stocked software/laptops etc alongside a few traditional tools.
I think we're in a transition period - things that were once analogue are being redesigned for a digital age. as far as cars are concerned, that process is still in its infancy. Yes, the latest cars are, technologically speaking, far removed from those the typical home mechanic is used to working on but when the 3rd or 4th owners want to maintain them themselves, I'm sure there will be a range of appropriate 3rd party products around that will allow them to do so. Right now, I don't think the demand is necessarily sufficient to make it worth anyone's while.
Basically though, I don't belive this commonly heard prediction that today's cars will become scrap because of dodgy electronics. People will just have to get handy at tweaking software as well as knowing one end of a screwdriver from the other.
I guess my point was would the 3rd/4th owner be able to source an LCD screen and fit it themselves if it went pop? I agree, it is becoming more and more common to plug your car into a laptop so electronic issues can be resolved, however, a job like this in the future may render the car useless if a part cannot be sourced. It's not like a broken sat nav screen, you could live with that, but a broken speedo screen is something you can't live with out.I think we're in a transition period - things that were once analogue are being redesigned for a digital age. as far as cars are concerned, that process is still in its infancy. Yes, the latest cars are, technologically speaking, far removed from those the typical home mechanic is used to working on but when the 3rd or 4th owners want to maintain them themselves, I'm sure there will be a range of appropriate 3rd party products around that will allow them to do so. Right now, I don't think the demand is necessarily sufficient to make it worth anyone's while.
Basically though, I don't belive this commonly heard prediction that today's cars will become scrap because of dodgy electronics. People will just have to get handy at tweaking software as well as knowing one end of a screwdriver from the other.
schmalex said:
I was discussing this with a client yesterday afternoon.
Modern Volvo's have up to 6 SIM cards under their bonnets, managing and reporting all sorts of telematics back to Sweden. It won't be long before every new car from pretty much every manufacturer rolling off a production line is an element of an overall connectivity platform, delivering infotainment services, service instructions, engine tune etc, etc.
The problem from manufacturers of vehicles in particular is monetising the capabaility...
This. I think the motor manufacturers are learning from the computer software industry. It won't be long before you buy a car, then the 'extras' can be switched on and off remotely. A years license for heated seats - £50. Want sat nav? Just buy it through an app on your phone and it will appear on your car. Wish your car had cruise control? Again just buy the software license and they'll switch it on for you. Modern Volvo's have up to 6 SIM cards under their bonnets, managing and reporting all sorts of telematics back to Sweden. It won't be long before every new car from pretty much every manufacturer rolling off a production line is an element of an overall connectivity platform, delivering infotainment services, service instructions, engine tune etc, etc.
The problem from manufacturers of vehicles in particular is monetising the capabaility...
Forget to pay your monthly car contract? You've got 14 days grace period before we disable it completely.
schmalex said:
I was discussing this with a client yesterday afternoon.
Modern Volvo's have up to 6 SIM cards under their bonnets, managing and reporting all sorts of telematics back to Sweden. It won't be long before every new car from pretty much every manufacturer rolling off a production line is an element of an overall connectivity platform, delivering infotainment services, service instructions, engine tune etc, etc.
The problem from manufacturers of vehicles in particular is monetising the capabaility...
Is this on all modern volvos worldwide? They must end up with a big comms bill!Modern Volvo's have up to 6 SIM cards under their bonnets, managing and reporting all sorts of telematics back to Sweden. It won't be long before every new car from pretty much every manufacturer rolling off a production line is an element of an overall connectivity platform, delivering infotainment services, service instructions, engine tune etc, etc.
The problem from manufacturers of vehicles in particular is monetising the capabaility...
mnkiboy said:
This. I think the motor manufacturers are learning from the computer software industry. It won't be long before you buy a car, then the 'extras' can be switched on and off remotely. A years license for heated seats - £50. Want sat nav? Just buy it through an app on your phone and it will appear on your car. Wish your car had cruise control? Again just buy the software license and they'll switch it on for you.
Forget to pay your monthly car contract? You've got 14 days grace period before we disable it completely.
That'll work quite well until the hackers figure out how to do it cheaper or even better turn off all the Audis when they tailgate other makes .Forget to pay your monthly car contract? You've got 14 days grace period before we disable it completely.
mnkiboy said:
schmalex said:
I was discussing this with a client yesterday afternoon.
Modern Volvo's have up to 6 SIM cards under their bonnets, managing and reporting all sorts of telematics back to Sweden. It won't be long before every new car from pretty much every manufacturer rolling off a production line is an element of an overall connectivity platform, delivering infotainment services, service instructions, engine tune etc, etc.
The problem from manufacturers of vehicles in particular is monetising the capabaility...
This. I think the motor manufacturers are learning from the computer software industry. It won't be long before you buy a car, then the 'extras' can be switched on and off remotely. A years license for heated seats - £50. Want sat nav? Just buy it through an app on your phone and it will appear on your car. Wish your car had cruise control? Again just buy the software license and they'll switch it on for you. Modern Volvo's have up to 6 SIM cards under their bonnets, managing and reporting all sorts of telematics back to Sweden. It won't be long before every new car from pretty much every manufacturer rolling off a production line is an element of an overall connectivity platform, delivering infotainment services, service instructions, engine tune etc, etc.
The problem from manufacturers of vehicles in particular is monetising the capabaility...
Forget to pay your monthly car contract? You've got 14 days grace period before we disable it completely.
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