Microsoft Wants To Power Self-Driving Cars With Software, Not Build One (theverge.com) 220
An anonymous reader writes: Microsoft's Peggy Johnson said at the Converge conference (Warning: WSJ source paywalled) in Hong Kong this week that the company is not interested in manufacturing its own self-driving cars, but instead is interested in building software for cars. "We won't be building our own autonomous vehicle but we would like to enable autonomous vehicles and assisted driving as well," said Johnson, head of business development at Microsoft. "We in different ways enabled a variety of different partners and you'll see us continuing to do that." Microsoft is open to partners requesting an operating system for cars. The company has partnered with Harman to integrate Microsoft Office 365 into its infotainment systems, bringing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to cars for the first time. "You're sitting in the car for many, many minutes a day. Can that be part of your new office, can it be your new desk, a place where you actually get work done?" asked Johnson. "We believe it can." Two years ago, Microsoft unveiled their "Windows in the car" initiative to compete against Apple's CarPlay.
Brings a new meaning... (Score:5, Insightful)
...to blue screen of death! :: CRASH ::
brakes.sys has caused a system error (Score:5, Funny)
brakes.sys has caused a system error.
Hold down start to reboot.
Re:brakes.sys has caused a system error (Score:5, Insightful)
Microsoft will have difficulty being successful in this area, for several reasons:
1. They would be entering this market very late. Many car companies are already in bed with software partners.
2. They have no expertise in developing high reliability software.
3. They have no expertise in developing real time control software
4. They have a poor track record with UIs anywhere but the desktop.
My impression is that Ms Johnson was just ad libbing, and not really expressing Microsoft corporate policy. The only examples she gave were that people might want to view Powerpoint slides on their dashboard computer, or use it to update Excel spreadsheets while they are stuck in traffic. I don't think she would have said something that stupid if she was prepared and had time to think about what she was going to say.
My prediction is that Microsoft will only get involved in the human facing entertainment side of car software. If they do get involved in actual control software, I predict they will fail.
Re: (Score:3)
Don't forget that Windows has run warships and submarines [theregister.co.uk]. At least on this page [microsoft.com] it says:
With the same code base as Windows Embedded Compact 7, Windows Embedded Automotive 7 is an extensible technology platform that allows automakers and suppliers to deliver visually rich in-car experiences with a shorter time to market. Bringing the power of Windows to the car, Windows Embedded Automotive 7 includes a large set of integrated and flexible middleware components that allow automotive solutions to scale across a broad range of automotive makes and models. Drivers benefit from the rich user interface and features including state-of-the-art hands-free Bluetooth phone communications, speech commands, touch input, advanced dashboard systems and more.
I don't think they'll be getting into the actual driving software, but I think they think that'll be an isolated set of sensors/logic and they can deliver the rest. That Microsoft will enable autonomous cars was a bit hubris though, if other companies enable autonomous cars Microsoft can deliver the interface. Not that I'm entirely sure why you'd want to, I think it'll be like mobile. A part of the high end market will
Here's how this will play out (Score:5, Insightful)
These are the steps, in order, Microsoft will go through:
Microsoft will work on a self-driving car for a very short time and figure out they cannot do it fast enough to compete.
They'll partner with another company. There will be lots of hoopla, but nothing will come of it, and the partnership will dissolve.
They'll buy a company which is well-respected and doing well/poised to succeed. It will rapidly go down the toilet and they'll sell it.
[ optional step ] They'll come out with their own product too late.
They'll partner with successful companies to get hooks into cars which link to their other products. This will be marginally profitable. They will attempt to use this to gain as much leverage as possible. This may or may not be successful, but will anger people.
Re: (Score:3)
can we all take a moment and appreciate the last collaboration of Microsoft and an automobile maker? let's take this shining example - Blue&Me (Windows CE in Fiat/Alfa Romeo/whatever else Fiat owns). so, what do the owners regularly do? http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum... [alfaowner.com] oh yes, disconnect the f***ing car battery every now and then to get the damn thing to work.
Re:Brings a new meaning... (Score:5, Funny)
...to blue screen of death! :: CRASH ::
I am Clippy, I noticed that you have been involved in an accident , please select from the following options. ..> Cues a selection of lawyer adds.
1) Call police --> Cues pay for service detective agencies.
2) Call Ambulance --> Cues a selection of pay for service adds.
3) Call a lawyer
4) Call towing service --> Cues pay for towing service adds.
I notice you have not answered within the required five minutes, are you dead? Please answer "yes" or "no".
I am sorry but I don't understand "Hhhhhh.. " please speak clearly.
If you don't answer within 60 seconds I will call the nearest morgue, in the interim for your edification please peruse our list of funeral services.
Re: (Score:2)
Nitrogen asphyxiation is supposed to be painless and rapid.
Also FYI, there is no Hell or Heaven. You don't "go anywhere" when you die any more than the flame "goes somewhere" when you snuff out a candle.
Re:Brings a new meaning... (Score:5, Insightful)
The right way to think about this is "how much pain will it cause the people connected to you?" You can definitely find a way do yourself in painlessly. That's easy. What's hard is living after a brother, friend, son, etc. has killed himself.
Set aside the bible stuff about people who destroy what god gave them going to hell. That's twaddle.
Killing yourself makes you a prick. Only an inconsiderate, self-centered ass would do that to the people around him.
If you're now disposable, do what you need to do to make your life interesting. Take up sky-diving. Become a commercial diver. Get a job working with explosives. Become a war photographer. As soon as you decide you're disposable, you have the opportunity to do things which are not available to other people because they're frightened. Go do something valuable for yourself or others.
Re: (Score:2)
Carbon monoxide kills plenty of people without them even being aware it's there. If you're sticking your gob over the exhaust pipe you're doing it wrong.
Re: (Score:2)
Besides, it's not really *your* life. You didn't give it to yourself on your own choice. It shouldn't be your decision when to end it.
Of course it's his life, so shut the fuck up with your nonsensical horseshit. And if he wants to end it, why shouldn't he be allowed to make that decision?
Re:Brings a new meaning... (Score:5, Funny)
"One moment, upgrading your car to Windows 10..."
*steering wheel stops working*
Re: (Score:2)
*steering wheel stops working*
And pushing the break brings up a pop-up window requesting you enter a license key to enable this feature.
Re: (Score:2)
You accelerometer indicates that the air bag should be deployed.
Are you sure? Yes. No. Cancel.
Re: (Score:2)
as you spin out, pulling a 365.
Re: (Score:2)
> "as you spin out, pulling a 365."
Microsoft won't let you complete a 365. If you make such an attempt, an automated check for an Office365 license occurs; if no license key is found, Windows Genuine Advantage will notify you of illegal software, stop the car's spin at 365 degrees and disable braking functions (I'm assuming brakes are an add-on, only available with an Office365 license).
Re:Brings a new meaning... (Score:5, Funny)
A shame there will be no Microsoft Zoom car, but we welcome their DrivesForSure certification program.
Re: (Score:2)
I'd be more concerned about StopsForSure.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Red Windshield Of Death?
Re: (Score:3)
10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off."
Actually you already do that with a Prius. Push button to start, push same button to shut off.
That's just idiotic (Score:2)
Cars are powered by gasoline, or battery-supplied electricity, or even natural gas. But they will NEVER be powered by software.
Re: (Score:2)
Cars are powered by gasoline, or battery-supplied electricity, or even natural gas. But they will NEVER be powered by software.
Have you never set fire to a Windows CD?
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
But if the electric engine is controlled by Windows, it just might be possible for it to develop a bug in physics, allowing perpetual motion.
Or perhaps they're counting on any observing super-advanced aliens to take pity on us and stage a benevolent takeover.
Re: (Score:2)
A good starting point for finding answers to those questions:
http://www.consumerreports.org... [consumerreports.org]
Re: (Score:2)
Cars are powered by... even natural gas
Really? How do they connect the intake manifold to the natural gas source? What's the mileage like? What do they have to eat?
You drive up to the pump, and attach the dispenser to the car. Then when the tank is full, you drive away. You live someplace where there are no CNG vehicles? In my little city, our entire public transit system runs on CNG .
Re: (Score:2)
That's not the intake (or even inlet) manifold.
It will stop in the middle of the road (Score:2)
To upgrade to the new version of the software, which you already said you didn't want.
Re: (Score:3)
To upgrade to the new version of the software, which you already said you didn't want.
Microsoft seems to have trouble understanding that "no" means "no" - if you know what I mean...
Cat got your tongue? (Score:4, Informative)
More than a silly comment, I wonder if that kind of software will leak information to Microsoft like Windows 10. Just imagine: GPS maps of where and when you did drive. Where you stop for get gas/enegry. How many people travel in the car and their faces just for safety. If you get tickets and how many. Just for deliver ads in the front panel or phone home to your Microsoft profile for sync all the data they harvest for you. Better get a 2000s car where you are the driver and not a product for harvest data of.
Sync (Score:2, Funny)
Well, they do have experience, just look at the absolutely wonderful piece of work they did on Ford Sync.
Re: (Score:3)
Yeah, that's probably why Ford realized their mistake and moved its Sync to Blackberry's QNX.
Bringing the W10 experience to your car. (Score:4)
"Can we stall your car out with forced upgrades? Can we put ads on your dashboard?" asked Johnson. "We believe it can."
Re: (Score:2)
They actually did exactly this. Their car entertainment systems will occasionally just decide to do software updates. The whole system goes unresponsive with no actual clue to when it'll work again. I sometimes drive to work with a non-functional car stereo. It's insanity... they've taken a system that has basically been solved for, for decades, and made it bad.
Never Ever... (Score:5, Insightful)
I've been a systems engineer since 1995, and before that worked networks and as a technician.
Based on my experience with the reliability of Microsoft products: I will never EVER put my life in the hands of Microsoft.
If the car runs Windows (or a Microsoft product) I won't own it or ride in it. Simple self preservation.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I've been a systems engineer since 1995, and before that worked networks and as a technician.
Based on my experience with the reliability of Microsoft products: I will never EVER put my life in the hands of Microsoft.
If the car runs Windows (or a Microsoft product) I won't own it or ride in it. Simple self preservation.
Haha, you still put your life in thier hands unless you keep far far far away from any roads.
Re: (Score:2)
Unfortunately that won't stop other people from riding them on the same roads you take. The only thing that can keep you safe here is regulation.
Re: (Score:2)
And that's assuming companies will follow the regulations. Just look at the car companies that are being found for fixing emissions and fuel efficiency tests.
I have this (Score:2)
I already have Windows installed in my car. Works great! Very transparent.
Can Linux be used in automatic cars (Score:2, Informative)
If Windows wants to be automatic car software, the question I have is very simple. It is about liability.
If Windows software makes a mistake, I assume Microsoft can be sued. Like Toyota has been sued.
But if Linux (Ubuntu, or, perhaps, Carbuntu) will be managing hardware - who do I sue if I get into the accident? Should we expect Open Source software insurance fee aka contemporary equivalent of "uninsured motorist" insurance charge?
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
These are simple legal concepts that have been settled for nearly 100 years. They aren't
Re: (Score:2)
If Windows software makes a mistake, I assume Microsoft can be sued. Like Toyota has been sued.
If Windows running in a Toyota kills someone, Toyota gets sued, not Microsoft. Microsoft makes it clear that their software is not to be used in a mission-critical application. Same goes for Linux or other software. Whoever makes it part of some device is responsible, at least unless the software manufacturer explicitly provides a warranty for that particular application.
Hardware analogy: if Boeing uses screws from Home Depot to build an airplane, who do you sue when the plane crashes? Home Depot or Boeing?
That's too bad... (Score:2)
... the company is not interested in manufacturing its own self-driving cars
That's too bad. From what I understand, Microsoft hardware is generally pretty good, or at least, it used to be.
Re: (Score:3)
Are they manufacturing it themselves, though?
Hahahaha! No. (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm very pro-self driving cars, but the thought of Microsoft, with their unenviable record on security and stability, running the thing? Oh, hell no. I'd walk first.
Forced upgrades? (Score:2)
I can just see it now, Microsoft crams the upgrade onto your car, schedules it during rush hour, with no close box and no way to opt out.
And I.. (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
.. want the cure to cancer.
I'd like a pony.
Re: (Score:2)
Good idea. Beats walking when your Windows car freezes.
I Predict... (Score:2)
That this will nearly equal the success of Windows on a phone, and Windows based digital media products (aka "Zune").
If Microsoft made cars ... (Score:5, Funny)
An oldie from many years ago, copied from http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/pnw... [harvard.edu]
For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on. At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue.
For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.
7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off."
Re: (Score:2)
This one is really funny... also #10 is actually how all push to start cars operate now :D
Re: (Score:2)
ok, this is very confusing (Score:2)
In the Near Future... (Score:5, Funny)
"Cortana, take me home."
"Okay. Relax and enjoy these sponsored messages from our selected partners."
"Cortana, skip ads"
"Skip ads is not available on Microsoft Drive Home Edition. Upgrade to Drive Professional Edition? $6000 USD will be deducted from your savings account at... Wells Fargo Bank"
"NO! Do not upgrade!"
"Okay. We are passing by Applebee's San Bruno. Would you like to travel to Applebee's San Bruno for their new hearty Chicken Ravioli Pot Pie?"
"NO!"
"Say 'no' again to confirm travel to Applebee's San Bruno."
"Argh. Uh. Yes?"
"Okay. Traveling to Applebee's San Bruno."
"NO! Cortana! Take me home!"
"This is hacker group carhakz.ru. We now control your car. Transfer $1000 to our account or car will drive into oncoming traffic in 10... 9..."
"Shit! Shit! Cortana! Transfer $1000 to carhakz.ru!"
"Okay. Updating to Microsoft Drive Enterprise Edition. $10000 USD being transferred from... Wells Fargo Bank."
BSOD at 80 mph (Score:2)
Need I say more?
Oh yes, yes I do. Recall that US Navy Battleship (or Destroyer) that went BSOD during a military exercise about 13 years ago? Now imagine yourself in LA traffic (or NYC, DC, or a wind-ey country road), and having your car BSOD.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
You can see the Reply posted above yours, an hour before you.
Or, you can copy-paste this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
MS in a car? Never (Score:2, Insightful)
...and not for the reasons you might think.
Yes, we can all make jokes about blue screens and bugs and stuff.
But the main reason I'd never take a car with MS software in it; MS is a serial murderer of their own products. They jump into any and all potential markets, do their product and then when the beancounters say that the profit charts do not look like a hockey stick with infinite moneys in the horizon, they drop it like a hot potato. Sometimes for another version of the same thing, often for some new in
Comment removed (Score:3)
i'm sure the public can't wait (Score:2)
i mean after the overwhelming good will garnered from the Windows 10 rollout, who wouldn't be champing at the bit to put their very lives in the hands of Microsoft Corporation?
No thanks (Score:2)
I don't want to be harassed for a months to upgrade my car.
Give us a break already (Score:5, Insightful)
You're sitting in the car for many, many minutes a day. Can that be part of your new office, can it be your new desk, a place where you actually get work done?
Or, how about our employers stop finding new and increasingly intrusive ways to gain from us our endeavours, and we just read a book in the car instead?
Well, that's the nail in the coffin (Score:2)
Based on past experiences (Score:4, Interesting)
Re: (Score:2)
Anyone who has been stuck with a Ford Sync (sadly I am in that group) or MyFord Touch radio running the crap software MS built knows how bad of an idea this is.
This. Exactly this.
I've posted my frustrations with Sync before. In fact, the very first words out of my mouth when we got into that F150 for our first test drive was "Oh, wait, why does that say Microsoft next to my radio? That's going to be nothing but trouble." And guess what? I have to routinely stop the engine, remove the key and open the door to give that lovely Microsoft Sync product a second chance at connecting to my phone that it was just happily connected only a few minutes prior. It's prob
Re: (Score:2)
Should have replaced it with Linux (Score:2)
You should replace it with a Kenwood system. They're built on Linux. Mine reboots itself 2-3x a week while driving/navigating, takes 45 seconds to start when the engine turns on, and requires updating the maps (for $150 a pop) every two years or the nav system simply refuses to operate.
I'm stuck ... (Score:2)
No thanks.
Oh HELL NO (Score:3)
"The company has partnered with Harman to integrate Microsoft Office 365 into its infotainment systems, bringing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to cars for the first time. "You're sitting in the car for many, many minutes a day. Can that be part of your new office, can it be your new desk, a place where you actually get work done?" asked Johnson. "We believe it can."
How about NO? Does NO work for you?
Stop trying to making every second of everyone's life about working. HOW ABOUT "FUCK YOU", MICROSOFT?
Re: (Score:2)
Note to car manufacturers: if you add anything related to Microsoft to your vehicles, you'll be eliminated as a choice by everyone in the IT sector and they'll recommend everyone they know to avoir your vehicles too.
"You're sitting in the car for many, many minutes a day. Can that be part of your new office, can it be your new desk, a place where you actually get work done?"
How about fuck you, Peggy Johnson? Does that work for you? Or are you also planning Office 365 for bathrooms, since we're also
Yeah,,, no.... (Score:2)
There's no way I'm even getting in any self-driving car with Microsoft software in it. I certainly wouldn't ever buy one.
SELF-DRIVING CARS: Life in a Gary Larson Cartoon (Score:2)
You know... those Gary Larson cartoons where wide-eyed, terrified anxious people are experiencing some incredible calamity, unfolding in slow motion, that is inexplicably yet hilariously funny (because it is not happening to us, comic relief humor)...?
Well I feel the same way every time I see a headline where tech giants, who earned their money in other ways, as humanity is facing some serious technology and economic hurdles, have oddly decided that what the human race most needs right now is --- wait for i
Re: (Score:2)
have oddly decided that what the human race most needs right now is --- wait for it --- self driving cars.
Self-driving cars, when they reach a requisite level of maturity, will be of enormous practical value.
What I don't understand is the people who think predatory advertising is some kind of public service rather than malicious harassment.
QNX (Score:2)
Microsoft will buy up Blackberry for the QNX OS and be in control of everything.
No soft outside ECU (Score:2)
One day this will be a selling point for car.
Car manufacturers start to play a dangerous game with the users: the choice of the car might became more complex just because some users will not buy a car with a system it don't like.
Re: (Score:2)
you just don't drop the soap.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
If it's a defect, it's the fault of the manufacturer. If it's user error, it's fault of the user/owner. It's not hard.
Re: (Score:2)
Why is this asked every time? If it's a defect, it's the fault of the manufacturer. If it's user error, it's fault of the user/owner. It's not hard.
Microsoft never fails - only we can fail Microsoft.
Re: (Score:2)
None of that matters. The maker of the item, or the seller of it is 100% responsible. Their internal bickering (and yes, bickering with an external supplier is an internal bicker, in matters of law) won't change that.
It's a simple and quite settled point of law.
Drivers for a 3rd party video card is a separate thing. You don't buy your car and your engine separately. Nobody ever runs around with a "broken" computer. It works 100%, you just have to wipe it and try
Re: (Score:2)
None of that matters. The maker of the item, or the seller of it is 100% responsible. Their internal bickering (and yes, bickering with an external supplier is an internal bicker, in matters of law) won't change that.
It's a simple and quite settled point of law.
While you are right, the court system, at least here in the US is often used by people in the wrong to weasel out of responsibility. And when they do lose, you'll get your 1 dollar award from the class action lawsuit.
It's a good point, but in practice, just about pointless.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Welcome to the real world.
This even pops up in he pc space in the case of buggy hardware divers and some poor sap is stuck with a broken computer and all those involved are blaming someone else.
Mod this AC up. One of the things I learned early on when designing and building systems is when at all possible, use one manufacturer for as much as possible. That way they can't play the "It must be the other guy's equipment that is the problem." game.
Re:BSOD (Score:5, Funny)
The manufacturers originally wanted to use Linux but were unable to overcome the issue of bad drivers.
Re: (Score:2)
The manufacturers originally wanted to use Linux but were unable to overcome the issue of bad drivers.
Well played sir - well played indeed!
Re: (Score:2)
The idea of getting work done in your car on the way to work is ridiculous, bordering on scary...
I do it all the time. I take the bus directly to work. Internet through my iPhone, and it's emails-away!
BONUS: Arrive at work not stressed from fighting traffic.
Re: (Score:3)
The idea of getting work done in your car on the way to work is ridiculous, bordering on scary...
I do it all the time. I take the bus directly to work. Internet through my iPhone, and it's emails-away!
BONUS: Arrive at work not stressed from fighting traffic.
How do you get your car on the bus?
Re: (Score:2)
The idea of getting work done in your car on the way to work is ridiculous, bordering on scary...
I do it all the time. I take the bus directly to work. Internet through my iPhone, and it's emails-away!
BONUS: Arrive at work not stressed from fighting traffic.
How do you get your car on the bus?
It's a Porsche. Well, erm, a Hot-Wheels version of one that I keep in my computer bag.
Re: (Score:2)
The idea of getting work done in your car on the way to work is ridiculous, bordering on scary...
I do it all the time. I take the bus directly to work. Internet through my iPhone, and it's emails-away!
BONUS: Arrive at work not stressed from fighting traffic.
How do you get your car on the bus?
It's a Porsche. Well, erm, a Hot-Wheels version of one that I keep in my computer bag.
If it was my bike I used for bus-stop-to-office, I'd plunk it down on the front-grille bike-holder that all of our buses have attached.
Great system. Great system. Le-, le-, lemme tell you. Just listen-up now. It is one Great system. And I'll make it even greater. We have got plans for an even greater system. You'll be able to park your car on the bus... yes the bus... using the mobility impaired-space. It will be a great, great system. I guarantee it.
Re: (Score:2)
The world made the mistake of trusting you guys once. You'll notice how excited the industry was to adapt Windows Phone 25 years later. Expect the same general level of enthusiasm for Microsoft Car.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Imagine going into a dealership to get your Microsoft controlled car fixed. The mechanic will berate you for not running the car in a VM, not going into the services panel and changing some arcane setting, and how it's your fault you didn't go into the registry to make changes there. Then he'll call you a stupid asshole and not fix the problem anyhow, or introduce two new ones.
Looking forward to the Microsoft cars for Dummies books.
Re: (Score:2)
Office 365 on a toaster, you say... hum. Interesting.
Signed,
Peggy Johnson.
Re: (Score:2)
https://secure.static.tumblr.c... [tumblr.com]
"Me too" at it's hypest. (Score:2)
Throw a few hundred H1-B workers at it, because it's essential, and the only ones who know Microsoft are the ones who slurped it up at Indian universities when Microsoft started shoveling it in.