Near-Future Fords to Feature Windows Automotive

dpbsmith writes "The Detroit Free Press reports that a Windows Automotive software suite named Sync will be featured in some cars available Spring 2007, all 2008 Ford models, and Lincoln and Mercury models later. The software does not, apparently, run the engine or do anything directly connected with transportation. It will, rather, allow the user to 'use their vehicle as a computer in key ways, such as hands-free cell phone calls or downloading music or receiving e-mail.' Bill Ford and Bill Gates were reported as saying that having high-definition screens in vehicles, speech recognition, cameras, digital calendars and navigation equipment with directions and road conditions will set car companies apart from their competitors in the future. 'There are going to be those who have it and those who don't. And even those who get it later are going to be a generation behind,' Ford said."

Comments

Non-critical software on a shared data bus?

[Toby The Economist]

The fact that a given subsystem is not directly involved in things like braking isn't actually that reassuring.

There was a submission to the RISKS digest a while ago - I cannot recall the exact details, but the problem was that non-critical software was able to cause what was effectively a denial of service attack on the car-wide shared data bus ring, and THAT stopped the brakes from working.

If a software can affect a component or module which is necessary for a critical function, then that software *is* critial. Given the existance of for example shared data buses, pretty much everything is in fact critical.

What Sort Of Warranty, And Who Backs It?

[dprovine]

My question, based on less-than-satisfactory experiences as a customer with both companies, is "What happens when something goes wrong?"

Will Ford say that it's not their responsibility to fix the troubles from Microsoft? Will users have to sign an EULA that says "This car comes with no warranty"?

What if people try to get repairs for the system under the warranty, and Microsoft shafts Ford on supporting their stuff, the way Microsoft has shafted everybody they've ever partnered with? Can even Microsoft hold off a lawsuit from a major carmaker?

What about when things go wrong?

[juiceg]

Anyone remember when this chap got locked in his car because the OS froze?

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/12/10525917 31421.html?oneclick=truestory

I can hardly wait until "I got locked in my car" becomes a standard excuse for why you're late for a meeting.

Re:"Found On Road Dead" happens even more

[kfg]

A BSOD on the 405 in LA.

Didn't Dylan write a song about this?

Tangled up in Blue.

KFG

Re:This is going to....

[The_Rook]

this is no joke. early versions of the (windows ce based) idrive system on bmw 7-series cars would crash taking the enitre car with them. nothing would work including the windows and door locks. as i understand it, drivers, on occasion, would get trapped inside their cars and would have to break the car's window to get out.

Re:They still don't get it

[b0s0z0ku]

They are actually quite good.

So everyone says. The problem is that Ford won't ever admit that its Aussie (and possibly Euro, but Australian travel conditions are closer to American conditions) divisions kick the asses of its domestic designers. So the Australian cars won't be brought to the US unless they're an expensive "premium" product. Too much "not invented here" disease.

Besides, Australian cars are rather "simple" for American tastes - when GM brought the GTO here, everyone bitched and moaned about how bland and feature-less the car was. Very few people complimented GM on showing good taste and restraint in design.

-b.