Linux For Cars: Tesla Isn't The Only Automaker Running Linux Under the Hood (zdnet.com) 75
ZDNet reports that by 2020, "many, if not most, new cars will be running with Linux."
While some companies, like Tesla, run their own homebrew Linux distros, most rely on Automotive Grade Linux (AGL). AGL is a collaborative cross-industry effort developing an open platform for connected cars with over 140 members... Its membership includes Audi, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Mercedes, Suzuki, and the world's biggest automobile company: Toyota. Why? "Automakers are becoming software companies, and just like in the tech industry, they are realizing that open source is the way forward," said Dan Cauchy, AGL's executive director, in a statement.
Car companies know that while horsepower sells, customers also want smart infotainment systems, automated safe drive features, and, eventually, self-driving cars. Linux and open-source company can give them all of that. The AGL's goal is to develop an open-source, common platform for infotainment systems: The Unified Code Base (UCB). This is a Linux distribution and open-source software platform for car infotainment, telematics, and instrument cluster applications... The AGL's hope is that this will serve as a de facto industry standard. It's well on its way.
Yesterday Hyundai announced that they were also joining both the AGL effort and the Linux Foundation.
Car companies know that while horsepower sells, customers also want smart infotainment systems, automated safe drive features, and, eventually, self-driving cars. Linux and open-source company can give them all of that. The AGL's goal is to develop an open-source, common platform for infotainment systems: The Unified Code Base (UCB). This is a Linux distribution and open-source software platform for car infotainment, telematics, and instrument cluster applications... The AGL's hope is that this will serve as a de facto industry standard. It's well on its way.
Yesterday Hyundai announced that they were also joining both the AGL effort and the Linux Foundation.
Am I still restricted? (Score:2)
Re:Am I still restricted? (Score:4, Insightful)
Can my passengers connect their Bluetooth phones, or program the GPS while the car is in motion, or has the technology not reached that point yet?
The technology reached that point years ago, but auto makers haven't kept up. It would be pretty simple to detect that the driver has both hands on the steering wheel when the car is in motion, and enable those functions under that condition. Maybe they're worried that the driver would try to push the buttons with his nose.
Re:Am I still restricted? (Score:5, Informative)
In my Tesla, programming the GPS while driving is simple:
1. Press the scroll wheel button on the steering wheel.
2. Say "Navigate to xyz".
Done.
The year of Linux on the ... (Score:5, Interesting)
2020: the year of Linux on the desktop, err, I mean the roadways.
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2021: the year you get it to boot (if it has systemd).
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He's saving that for a rainy day, it's his life savings. Have a heart.
Re: The year of Linux on the ... (Score:1)
Would you prefer Windows 10 updates while you're driving on the highway?
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No, but I wouldn't mind it if my car ran MSDOS 6.
Re: The year of Linux on the ... (Score:1)
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I haven't had as much practice as you.
Re: The year of Linux on the ... (Score:2)
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Not just that, I want a car that I can get into should the battery on my car remote die (like for instance, the good old fashioned keyed entry). Or being able to access my hood should the battery die (I can on my Subaru, but wouldn't be able to on a Tesla).
As for the tech, what I have on my 2014 Crosstrek is good enough: a built in navigation unit (okay, ability to connect to CarPlay/Android Auto would be nice), steering wheel controls of stations and volume, rear camera whenever I reverse, and that's ab
I doubt the fact that it's open source is a factor (Score:2, Interesting)
I did get a chuckle when I was aboard a plane recently. The seat-back entertainment player in front of me crashed, and when it rebooted it came up with a Red Hat splash screen
QNX in the car biz a non-tech failure? (Score:3)
When Blackberry purchased QNX, they intended that the auto industry would be fertile new soil for that terrific real time OS. Years later, the rise of Automotive Grade Linux seems to indicate that the QNX platform has had some sort of impediments that are likely non-technical, perhaps to do with licensing?
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Great idea for 1996, but these days you don't really want to use a realtime OS for an infotainment system. The more throughput, the better the frame rate, the latency isn't an issue.
Plus with Linux you get a lot of free drivers. Manufacturers want to be able to squeeze everything for savings, so you needs lots of drivers. When a new cheaper IC comes out, you want to be able to use it. They're basically taking over the "car stereo" market as an industry, so they all benefit by working together.
Re: QNX in the car biz a non-tech failure? (Score:2)
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For that you don't want a full OS, you want something smaller like MbedOS.
You're going to do a lot of the work in interrupts though. Any full-size OS is going to have its own ideas about using interrupts, so you don't want to go there on critical systems.
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Could be worse (Score:5, Interesting)
could be Microsoft. I guess most automakers have given up on Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform.
Are there any car manufacturers that makes a non-connected just plain, regular car currently?
I'd prefer a standard transmission, maybe a couple USB ports, AC and no OnStar, No built-in cellular, no computers for anything more than controlling fuel injection...
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Are there any car manufacturers that makes a non-connected just plain, regular car currently?
Check the JDM market if you can get registration and insurance for one of those where you live.
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Are there any car manufacturers that makes a non-connected just plain, regular car currently?
Check the JDM market if you can get registration and insurance for one of those where you live.
If you're talking about America, you can only import 25 year old or older cars.
If you want to drive a 1994 model year (or older) car you're all set. I suspect PP wants something a bit newer.
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Are there any car manufacturers that makes a non-connected just plain, regular car currently?
Federal law requires back-up cameras in new cars. Once you have a backup camera and a radio, you might as well have an Entertainment System. Once you have an Entertainment System you might as well have phone, and music from the phone. Designing five different "radios" isn't free, so they design one and use it in everything.
I was driving a 2000 model year car until I traded it in last year for a new car. I didn't think I cared about all the features on the new car, but now that I have them, I kinda don't wan
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Are there any car manufacturers that makes a non-connected just plain, regular car currently?
Federal law requires back-up cameras in new cars. Once you have a backup camera and a radio, you might as well have an Entertainment System. Once you have an Entertainment System you might as well have phone, and music from the phone. Designing five different "radios" isn't free, so they design one and use it in everything.
I was driving a 2000 model year car until I traded it in last year for a new car. I didn't think I cared about all the features on the new car, but now that I have them, I kinda don't want to forego them. It's a slippery slope.
And TBH, forty years ago I used to fantasize having many of those things on the cars I was driving then and thought they'd be cool to have.
40 years ago, I used to fantasize about having a semi air horn instead of a weak beep, and a BB machine gun mounted in the back of my car.
I settled for replacing my cars AM radio with 'gasp' an AM/FM stereo cassette player and 4 speakers I had to manually cut out and install.
I also added an alarm system. I hand soldered components onto with a breadboard I bought from some mail-order catalog. The insurance discount I got paid for it repeatedly.
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Truly the land of freedom. And if I put tape over the lenses. I assume the car will refuse to start, because : safety. That'll be a popular sport in parking lots.
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Truly the land of freedom. And if I put tape over the lenses. I assume the car will refuse to start, because : safety. That'll be a popular sport in parking lots.
I'll wager you probably took the seat belts out of your car too.
And when you were in an accident and hit your head on the dashboard or windshield, and went to the ER but didn't have health coverage the hospital treated you anyway
And charged my insurance company more to cover their increased costs. And then my insurance company charged me more to cover their increased costs.
The next time I see you I'm going to punch you in the nose. I figure I already paid for it.
And that'll be Freedom too, because we do
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I'd prefer a standard transmission, maybe a couple USB ports, AC and no OnStar, No built-in cellular, no computers for anything more than controlling fuel injection...
My 2010 Hyundai Elantra is exactly that. Drives like a dream once I got better tires put on. Also gets better city mileage than what the manufacturer says it should.
Don't know about the newer Hyundais. Most likely they have a screen in place of the center console so no real buttons or knobs like mine has.
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I later added tech that I wanted, where I wanted.
And the desktop? (Score:1)
I sincerely thought mention would be made of the "failure" of Linux on the desktop, even as it seemingly scores success after success and [is] a formidable force in the automobile industry.
Re: And the desktop? (Score:4, Insightful)
It hasn't failed as such. It's very difficult to compete with an entrenched monopoly.
ECU firmware developer here. (Score:1)
I write the firmware for several different classes of ECUs. While I don't dispute that Linux is useful in infotainment (an area of automotive software I've never worked on). Areas like autonomous driving and drive assist aren't going to be Linux. Even real-time linux is a bit too heavy handed for something so timing critical. The argument of faster CPUs isn't really an issue. It's more about interrupt latency, TLB misses, and other fundamental design choices that make Linux unsuitable for hard real-time app
Re: ECU firmware developer here. (Score:1)
Re: It makes sense (Score:2)
Far more risky trying to fire up the sat nav via the command line though
Re: It makes sense (Score:2)
I'm quite familiar with Linux but you are clearly not familiar with sarcasm
Chrysler's uconnect (Score:1)
I took apart one of the upgrade images and that appears to be using Linux as well. I suspect there is some Android down inside there for the apps half.
I disagree (Score:1)
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No US car makers? (Score:2)
I took a look at the website, I find it interesting that Ford / GM / Chrysler are not members. Perhaps each has decided that they can go it alone?
customers also want ... (Score:2)
No, you are insane. Many of us don't give a rat's ass about any of that crap. I want a car that never breaks down if properly maintained, gets excellent gas mileage, and isn't expensive to maintain.
Not So Much Linux (Score:2)