Comment by SirFatty

Comment by SirFatty 7 hours ago

4 replies

"I'd go as far as to say that most manufacturers can do this in 2025."

What does that have to do with OP's comment? And their point is still valid, and OTA update should not be able to brick a vehicle, regardless of the system receiving the update. And regardless if "they all can do it".

aardvarkr 7 hours ago

Any update can brick your device if done poorly. This device just happens to be a car.

You misunderstood what OP was saying. They claimed that an update to the infotainment system shouldn’t be able to brick the other systems in the car. The response points out the car’s OTA update subroutine has access to update every critical system in the car by design. It’s flawed logic to assume that OTA updates only affect the infotainment system.

  • [removed] 6 hours ago
    [deleted]
Someone1234 7 hours ago

It has everything to do with it.

If OTA updates can update core vehicle computer systems, in ways that can correct safety, performance, and reliability problems then they can also brick that vehicle.

The manufacturer has the ability to push an update that reprograms computers that control how physical components behave in a vehicle. By the very nature of that; they can push good or evil updates.

  • bloomingeek 5 hours ago

    Which is a reason the market for "dumb" cars is tightening up. Both my cars are "smart" and sometimes I wonder if I really own them. It bothers me that the maker can cause an update without my permission. (Yes, I know that's the world we've been living in for a while now.)