I figured with the growing amounts of electronics in cars that there must be a lot of code behind it, but I didn’t realize just how much code until I read this article.
Speaking as a software developer, that is massive amounts of code. Huge. Trying to maintain that would be a bear. Furthermore, trying to ensure it’s error/bug-free? A monumental task, edging on impossible.
I don’t know how the automotive industry works in terms of producing this software, but if it’s anything like most commercial software companies then lord… it makes me want to drive a Model T, that’s all mechanical and easy to fix. All I can do is hope they have a good understanding of proper software development process and are not willing to sacrifice solid reliable code because they need some new feature and needed it yesterday.
I also hope they understand how simple is better. All those millions of lines of code? Gosh… if they can take the time to simplify and trim that down, so much better in the long run. More maintainable, less chance of errors and problems and risking catastrophic failure.
Gosh I hope they do things right.
Of course the geek in me wants to know nitty gritty details now like the language they’re using and the toolset. 🙂
Stuff From Hsoi 
As I mechanic I can say to you “HA! Be afraid.”
I have seen a software update to a hands free Bluetooth phone module on a car fail so spectacularly that the car, which was fine when it came in, had to be dragged out of the shop. (This is true.)
IMHO, many of the gizmos on a modern car are installed specifically to accelerate the rate at which the car becomes obsolete.
LCD gauges in cars are a horrible idea. Try this sometimes. Take your laptop. Freeze it to -10°. Now rapidly warm it to 80°. Now slowly warm it to 140°. Repeat. This is normal operating conditions for anything inside the car. The plain red LCD gauges in a lot Audis are illegible in 5 years.
How long is NavTec going to keep releasing new map DVDs that are compatible with that in dash GPS/Nav unit?
How long is Apple going to keep using that iPod connector? The slot built into the glove box of Audi’s just a couple years old is already the wrong size.
And then, forget about repairing a lot of modern vehicles after a collision. Between airbags, crumple zones, aluminum construction, and structural adhesives (yes, structural parts of your car are probably glued, not welded together now) what used to be an inconvenient fender bender will total a car.
Which brings me back to the computers. As “anti-theft” measures, a lot of vehicle computers are keyed to the car’s VIN. A perfectly good computer from a wrecked car may not be able to be transplanted into a good car with a bad computer. You’ll have to buy a new computer. From the dealer. They’re not cheap because you can’t get them anywhere else.
In summary, enjoy your new car, but keep a ’70’s vintage pickup around…
Man, that’s a sobering read.
Depressing too.
It is one reason I want to keep the motorcycle I have: it’s got a carburetor not fuel injection. No computers or anything. I can actually work on it, fix it, tune it.