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Ford Tests DIY Firmware Updates

Posted by Soulskill on from the what-could-possibly-go-wrong dept.

wiredmikey writes "This month, Ford is borrowing something from the software industry: updates. With a fleet of new cars using the sophisticated infotainment system they developed with Microsoft called SYNC, Ford has the need to update those vehicles — for both features and security reasons. But how do you update the software in thousands of cars? Traditionally, the automotive industry has resorted to automotive recalls. But now, Ford will be releasing thirty thousand USB sticks to Ford owners with the new SYNC infotainment system, although the update will also be available for online download. In preparing to update your car, Ford encourages users to have a unique USB for each Ford they own, and to have the USB drive empty and not password protected. In the future, updating our gadgets, large and small, will become routine. But for now, it's going to be really cumbersome and a little weird. Play this forward a bit. Image taking Patch Tuesday to a logical extreme, where you walk around your house or office to apply patches to many of the offline gadgets you own."

8 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. Don't worry guys! by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just leave at least one wireless interface active and I'll handle all the updates for you!

    Sincerely, B. Hat,
    Honest Gentleman

  2. Patch Tuesday... by LoudNoiseElitist · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Play this forward a bit. Image taking Patch Tuesday to a logical extreme, where you walk around your house or office to apply patches to many of the offline gadgets you own."

    I'm assuming by the time we need to upgrade firmware or software on our refrigerators, toasters, coffee makers, and toilets that they'll all be sentient and just do it themselves.

    1. Re:Patch Tuesday... by plover · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hey, I have a 10 year old ordinary Ford pickup, and I recently had to reboot it. The transmission wasn't leaving 2nd gear (a.k.a. the "safety" gear), so when I stopped at the next intersection, I shut the engine off, waited five seconds, then turned it back on. It was fine after that.

      I have no idea what went wrong, only that a reboot fixed it. I'm just glad I was able to choose the circumstances, rather than have the truck decide to update itself in the middle of the road because it forgot it wasn't in the garage.

      --
      John
  3. Wait a minute there... by 14erCleaner · · Score: 5, Funny

    Since when does an automobile entertainment system need security updates? Oh, the wonders of Microsoft...

    --
    Have you read my blog lately?
    1. Re:Wait a minute there... by geekoid · · Score: 3, Funny

      I would argue that if gave an unreasonable deadly for a hello world program, many of them would have a bug of some sort.

      "You have 1 minute to write a hello world program...45 seconds of which will be in a meeting to be sure every one knows what is taking place.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:Wait a minute there... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      You mean putting a Bluetooth device running Windows on the same CANBus that runs your car's door locks, steering lock, ignition, fuel injection, electronic power steering, braking and throttle and etc. etc. etc. wasn't a good idea after all?

      Wow, who saw that one coming?!

      Remember, folks, CANBus does not have any authentication; any device on the bus can send arbitrary packets to anything else on the bus. Putting a wireless device on there is probably not a great idea.

  4. *digs out cell* by AuralityKev · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Yeah, boss? I can't come into work today. My Ford Focus just BSOD'd in my driveway."

  5. Re:my car crashed by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 3, Funny

    At least you didn't get the blue windscreen of death....