Re: [canals-list] Re: User charges (was BW's investment portfolio)

[Ian Mac]

roger_millin wrote:
> Ian wrote:
>
>   
>> When I asked the technical Director of Mercedes Benz if he would be 
>> having the first Drive by wire car, and he answered No. I pointed out 
>> they had not got there heads around writing safety software for cars yet 
>> had they.  I reconned it would take them at least 10 yrs to start to 
>> approach the level required, now that was in 1999 so one wonders if they 
>> are starting to get there?
>>     
>
> There was a whole small group of engineers in Jaguar's development team when 
> I worked there dedicated to the development and insurance acceptance of drive 
> by wire throttles, software etc and the infallability that is required of 
> such a device. All development cars were provided with a big red emergency 
> KILL button on the dash in case of emergencies with the drive systems.
> Roger
>   
This is precisely why I ask the TD the question, the motor industry is 
still playing at safety software, fortunately the chemical, nuclear and 
rail industries actually understand control systems and do not start off 
with a big red panic button,  even the European aircraft industry  have 
got past that stage, however do not get in a US fly by wire plane. It is 
not coincidence that a number of Chinooks have been sitting on the apon 
for years, noone who actually understands these thing would go near one. 
I've been using examples of Boeings FBW software  for years as a case 
study of how not to do it.
--
Cheers Ian Mac