Being a diesel fan, and a 4x4 enthusiast I am pretty familiar with transmissions from different vendors. GM and their Allison division are know for producing some of the most reputable transmissions available. Their TH400 line is a staple in drag-racing, off-roading and most any high power application. In high power applications it is a given that the GM TH400 will be the transmission selected even if it is a Ford or Mopar powered vehicle.
They are correct in their assumption that software more and more is becoming the defining factor. Software has improved the automatic transmission to the point where humans cannot perform as well as shift points being set by software. We are amazing creatures that can instinctually feel many variables but if you can account for all of those variables and more in software we can be outperformed. Power train technology has reached that point and even vendors like Ferrari have taken notice. Vehicle connectivity and automation is the next revolution. Moving parts will be reduced to a minimum as software controls replace mechanical control parts. It has been a long time coming but software has reached the point where embedded controllers are expected and do provide the longevity of the mechanics it is replacing. The process started a long time ago with fuel management but much like the PC revolution and the mobile revolution, the proper convergence at the proper time has not taken place in the automotive market. I think it may be here now, and I think the shakeup in Detroit was needed to bring it about.
They are correct in their assumption that software more and more is becoming the defining factor. Software has improved the automatic transmission to the point where humans cannot perform as well as shift points being set by software. We are amazing creatures that can instinctually feel many variables but if you can account for all of those variables and more in software we can be outperformed. Power train technology has reached that point and even vendors like Ferrari have taken notice. Vehicle connectivity and automation is the next revolution. Moving parts will be reduced to a minimum as software controls replace mechanical control parts. It has been a long time coming but software has reached the point where embedded controllers are expected and do provide the longevity of the mechanics it is replacing. The process started a long time ago with fuel management but much like the PC revolution and the mobile revolution, the proper convergence at the proper time has not taken place in the automotive market. I think it may be here now, and I think the shakeup in Detroit was needed to bring it about.