Originally Posted by
gghaggis
I think Graeme's point is that as legislation changes around the world, so too must the characteristics of an engine that is targeted for that market. A vehicle that can have its performance characteristics varied via software updates is obviously the more economical option for the manufacturer.
This then leads to the option of being able to update an existing vehicle as different performance characteristics are explored by the design engineers. Take as an example after-market tuners. Their maps are continually improved, and the ability to flash them into the ECM is what makes this financially feasible for them. So there will always be software updates.
In terms of rectifying actual faults, software can never be 100% foolproof. On the one hand there is generally less faulting of software systems in comparison with purely mechanical systems (which need constant adjusting). On the other though, software faults can propagate through to quite unrelated systems, something that rarely happens with mechanical systems. In the software system, it is impossible to test every combination and permutation of signal paths and environment. But given that this is the reality, I'd prefer the ability to have them fixed via free software updates. I think most people would.
Cheers,
Gordon