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Re:Former Tesla Firmware Engineer Discusses the System by Retric on Friday August 24, 2018 @01:44PM (#17836463)
QA done well is more than testing. It's managing risk and ensuring the process matches your risk tolerance. Car entertainment systems and Car breaking systems can be handled differently because the results of failure are different.
Re:Former Tesla Firmware Engineer Discusses the System by Jtsummers on Friday August 24, 2018 @02:09PM (#17836659)
I agree. QA has to inform management, who ought to work with the teams producing (software, widget, service) to address the causal factors of the discovered defects and deficiencies.

By inform, I don't mean "rat out". I mean, management has to have a learning objective. To understand the system that they're managing (because no one understands it fully, their mental model is different than what's actually happening). QA, along with other sources, inform the model of management who can then work with teams to improve the overall system.

Re:Former Tesla Firmware Engineer Discusses the System by hn_throwaway_99 on Friday August 24, 2018 @01:57PM (#17836566)
This is OK if you can guarantee 100% separation of concerns, but the news reports where hackers were able to take over control systems in the car through bugs in the entertainment system should be a huge note of caution.
Re:Former Tesla Firmware Engineer Discusses the System by sjg007 on Friday August 24, 2018 @02:13PM (#17836695)
I mean the entertainment system ideally should not be connected to the engine/drive train systems. That would be a risk management strategy.
Re:Former Tesla Firmware Engineer Discusses the System by dfox on Friday August 24, 2018 @04:36PM (#17837718)
There is difference between entertainment system and infotainment system.

Infotainment systems are increasingly used as primary UI for almost anything on car that is not controlled by steering wheel and pedals and thus has to be able to communicate with almost everxthing that is in the car. Tesla is pretty extreme example of this, but it works this way for most manufacturers.

Re:Former Tesla Firmware Engineer Discusses the System by Retric on Friday August 24, 2018 @07:55PM (#17838697)
That’s true, but only part of the story.

If the only interaction between the automated systems and the braking system is to apply more braking power and the cars breaks can significantly overpower the engine then nothing the infotainment system can do would prevent the car from coming to a complete stop.

Similarly, if the power steering was limited to applying say 5lb of force to the steering wheel (as felt by someone holding the outer edge) a driver could overpower any steering adjustments with minimal effort.

With just those two choices the risks associated with hacking the car dramatically decrease. Yes, the car could prevent someone moving, but that’s also an inherent risk from engine failure.

Re:Former Tesla Firmware Engineer Discusses the System by hn_throwaway_99 on Saturday August 25, 2018 @01:29PM (#17841662)
Check out the 20/20 report (or maybe it was 60 Minutes) where researchers who hacked into a car brought it to a complete stop on a busy highway (quite idiotically, IMO). Yes, other failures can cause this, but it can still be extremely dangerous.
Re:Former Tesla Firmware Engineer Discusses the System by Retric on Saturday August 25, 2018 @08:53PM (#17843535)
I am not sure what you mean.

Referring to an event where nothing happened does not support a ‘very dangerous’ argument. If you simply mean it’s possible and after that it’s then possible that something bad would then happen then I agree.

I am simply saying it’s vastly lower risk than a car that’s impossible to steer or slow down without causing massive mechanical failure.

Re:Former Tesla Firmware Engineer Discusses the System by bobsil1 on Friday August 24, 2018 @08:59PM (#17838960)
No, the large touchscreen should be single point of vehicle config for most functions. Driving a car right now with totally different screens, controls and designs for audio vs. car settings and it’s nuts.