Software engineering is crucial in cars today. I had an older Audi that had rack and pinion steering and handled phenomenally. Then I bought an Audi with fully electronic steering, and it was horrible. It took them some time, but they eventually came up with some software fixes that make it better. The bottom line, though, is that with everything being electronically controlled, software engineering in a car has become very important.
I bought a new Audi A5 in the past year (replacing a 13-year old Audi TT, which I considered irreplaceable). The wife did all research and opt’ed for the various option. Bluntly, she’d say that it was opt’ed to ‘reach the moon’.
So about two months after delivery, we did this long extended day drive. I’ve figured enough of the GPS unit (somewhat complicated)...set the course, and we left. About 25 minutes into the drive, I came to note that it (the car) was communicating via the wife’s smart-phone...to ‘Audi-Central’. Suddenly it came up via the GPS unit and said an accident had occurred at some location up ahead...wouldn’t I accept an added route (giving me the mileage and extra time)?
The car/central network knew precisely where I was, and the traffic situation ahead. It calculated the improved route.
To please note...I refused the advice and continued on with my original plan.
“I had an older Audi that had rack and pinion steering and handled phenomenally. Then I bought an Audi with fully electronic steering, and it was horrible”
Which model?
All I see is rack and pinion.
The Car Manufacturers have moved from Hydraulic Power Steering to Electric Power Steering, a big improvement.
We now have Electric Fuel Pumps, Oil Pumps (used in Dry Sump systems like my last and upcoming ordered Corvette) and Water Pumps.
Now they are working on Electric “pre” Turbos that spin up avoiding Turbo Lag before the Exhaust gets enough velocity to do the Job.
The bottom line, though, is that with everything being electronically controlled, software engineering in a car has become very important.
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The real question is WHY?