“the touchscreen does pretty much everything in a luxury car”
Not just luxury cars.
We had a Ford Explorer that melted the battery down (over charged). Why? Well the main computer controlled the voltage regulator. They “did an update on the the computer system” and replaced the battery.
It was fortunate that we were less than a mile from a Ford Dealer when we checked into the motel. I parked, it would not start again, went into sleep mode.
The car could not be started, because everything on the car depends upon the computer.
Nothing wrong with the alternator, only the program settings?
I know about voltage regulators. the sensor should be near the load. But that is NOT the way computers function.
I’m convinced that the regulator and alternator should be independent of the main computer.
Thanks, FR tinkering engineers. Good discussion on this thread. Gives me some perspective on the future of cars and the problems that arise as new ways to “reinvent the wheel” are brought to market.
Tesla is a kind of test factory for all auto manufacturers. There are very good reasons why a company like Toyota introduced the Prius hybrids and is cautiously moving forward with electric cars. It has a brand to protect.
People who buy Teslas today have higher income and the wisdom to know that technology takes a way to “settle in”, so they understand the value of patience.
But as soon as the price point of electric cars moves into
working-family range, the big brands have huge credibility to lose as snafus occur on the highways and lives are at stake for mistakes.