comma ai Why aren’t car companies good

TL;DR

In a casual periscope conversation, the hosts discuss hacking cell phones, specifically Toyota's ECU, and the lack of security and integrity checks. They also touch upon the possibility of car companies copying Tesla's Model S and the need for improvement in car software.

Transcript

yo yo what up scopies i'm here with harold hello i'm kameha and we're having a discussion that we thought it might be worth it to share with you yeah we need a we need a uh i don't know i mean they don't have a good way to like should we like put this somewhere maybe yeah put it on something and we'll have like a con in conversation did i see the h... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔒 Toyota's ECUs lack security and integrity checks, making them vulnerable to hacking.
• 😨 Denso, a company affiliated with Toyota, also builds ECUs for other car manufacturers.
• 😨 Car companies need to emulate Tesla's Model S and improve their software and updating architectures.
• 😨 The hosts believe that car companies have irrational concerns about over-the-air updates and are not embracing the potential of modern software stacks.
• 😨 The hosts emphasize the need for separation between hardware and software in cars.
• 🚃 Tesla is viewed as a company that has solved many of the updating problems and is leading the way in terms of software development in cars.
• 😨 The hosts also discuss the environmental impact of cars and the importance of reducing carbon footprints.

Questions & Answers

Q: Are the Toyota ECUs built by the companies that ship the cars?

No, the Toyota ECUs are built by Denso, although there is a close relationship between Toyota and Denso. Denso also builds ECUs for other car manufacturers such as Subaru.

Q: What can car companies do to improve the security and integrity of their ECUs?

They can add integrity checks to ensure that there are no accidental or malicious bit flips in the data. Implementing a SHA hash check for the flash data can significantly enhance security in the ECUs.

Q: Why are car companies hesitant to update their software frequently?

One possible reason is the fear of putting in the newest and latest technology, as it may become outdated within a few years. Additionally, the car companies may have concerns about field updates and potential issues that could arise.

Q: Will car companies like Toyota, BMW, and Mercedes die off?

The hosts believe that these companies will not die off completely, as they still have a role in the future. However, they may face challenges if they do not adapt to the changing dynamics of the industry.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The hosts discuss the similarities between Toyota's ECU and 1990s cell phones, highlighting the lack of security and integrity checks in the ECU system.

• They mention that Denso, a company affiliated with Toyota, builds the ECU for other car companies as well, indicating that car companies are more like marketing agencies and integrators.

• The hosts also mention the importance of copying Tesla's Model S, but emphasize that car companies need to have a dynamic company structure to implement these changes.