Thread: ECUs, EMS, ABS, TC, GPS, etc. etc. in modern car

Hi All,

I know some of you still prefer oldfashion elecrticless engines and transmissions. You still think that old staff much better than new technology... I'm sure it is human nature and words like: "Remember, 50 years ago we did this and this and didn't have any probs. Look at now, #$%^, you can't fix it in bush, #$% technology..." you could hear 2-3 century ago and earlier.

What do you think if our computer managed cars will get proper OS instead of eeprommed/flashed microcontrollers?

Some examples of operation:
-- ABS sensor broken -> go in management console and disable it (or run diagnostic/selftesting). Or disable only on one axel and keep active on other
-- TC doesn't work how you like -> all settings here, change it to your preferences or use presets "sand", "mud", "rock crawling", etc.
-- Fuel maps -> no worries, activate your favorite presets or make changes on-fly. Computer looks after you and doesn't let you apply incorrect settings.
-- Air flow, turbo, engine/gearbox/tc coolant/oil temperature, oil pressure,.. everything here on computer screen. You can set any sort of alarms, customise life figures readings etc... even font size, color, font family...
-- One of the most important is BACKUP. Done something wrong - restore from backup: original settings, last used settings...
-- SAFE MODE: lets say after extreme driving (deep water, for example) some functions do not respond or/and sending alarm messages. Reboot your system into Safe Mode and drive to home or place where you can fix them.
-- Navigation, trip controller, music, tv, dvd,.. put anything here what you can imagine, everything available as separate software if you like.
-- Reports. You can print out any reports and graphs how your car operates. For example, fuel flow dependance from engine revs. Or how many times you applied brakes per 100km. Or fuel consumption to speed/revs border of changing gears. Anything I'd say. Want to keep logging all activities on day-by-day base for future investigation - do it! You will see in figures difference between woolies and bp fuel, not only feel how you'r doing it now. Which air filter better, or temperature difference (read friction) from what brand of oil you used in engine.
ANYTHING!

Computerised cars is our future, so why not? To say more the Land Rover company always was steps further other car companies. Might be 2012 Defender will be running under Linux...

Cheers,
Ruslan

There is no (technical) reason at all why ECUs (or any other car computers) should not produce explicit, human readable descriptions of problems together with suggestions as to the action to take to fix the problem, rather than "codes". The use of error codes is 1960s programming technology, not 21st century. The only reasons for not doing it are conservatism and an attempt to tie owners to dealers. When (not if) this approach is followed, many of the objections to the use of electronics are removed. Although there is still the sensitivity of electronics to water and electrical spikes, but both of these can be mitigated to a large extent by intelligent design.

John