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by ryandrake 917 days ago
Lots of hardware companies (not just auto makers) don't understand software. They treat it like just another line item on the BOM, like a bolt, a windshield wiper blade or a door panel. The purchasing guy finds some 'software' that barely meets the minimum written requirements at the cheapest price, they scoop it onto the product somewhere on the assembly line, and then never think about it again. This is how we get things like our TV's (pre-Google/Apple) on-screen menus and our printer's setup UI.
4 comments
wannacboatmovie 917 days ago
> The purchasing guy finds some 'software' that barely meets the minimum written requirements at the cheapest price, they scoop it onto the product somewhere on the assembly line, and then never think about it again.

Are you implying that car manufacturers are window shopping for off-the-shelf software to run the core embedded logic of their complicated and highly specialized electric motor vehicles? And there is such a plethora of OTS offerings they can go with the lowest bidder?

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Reubend 917 days ago
That's exactly what that person is "implying", and that person is correct. But with the caveat that this applies much more to things like infotainment than to things like engine control. Lots of car software is purchased off the shelf and then customized slightly for branding purposes. But obviously some manufacturers do write their own software. For instance, as far as I'm aware, Tesla's software is all written in house (someone can correct me if I'm wrong here).
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ryandrake 917 days ago
I worked for a company that provided such software to auto manufacturers, and I assume we had competitors, so yes.
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hulitu 917 days ago
> The purchasing guy finds some 'software' that barely meets the minimum written requirements at the cheapest price

You're talking about Microsoft Office 365, right ?

Software for your car (except Tesla early models) is written by SW engineers (not coders), under strict quality requirements, with very big time pressure. And it is tested. And it is an item on the BOM because, if it does not work, it is not released.

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sonicanatidae 917 days ago
Calling printer setup interfaces a "UI" is being kind, imo.
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hulitu 917 days ago
They call Windows 10, 11, Android, iOS an UI so it is fair. /s
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sonicanatidae 917 days ago
Those UIs are built on some sort of system. Some form of design. Good or bad, there is an intent.

Printer UIs seem to be written by idiots, with their eyes closed.

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polski-g 917 days ago
The fact that DDWRT is still better than the shit Netgear puts out blows my mind. You're a billion dollar company, just copy their UI.
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