[arnav17]

For those unfamiliar with this term, Over The Air updates, or OTA, refer to wireless software updates to your automobile without having to visit the service center physically. This is often used in updating ADAS systems.

+ves:

- Time effective: It doesn't require much of your time, or rather no time at all. You don't have to visit the service center; you don't have to wait there; just let it update by itself in your parking space when connected to the server through Wi-Fi or cellular data.

- Convenient for the consumer and the service center: The consumer can stay at home and get it updated comfortably, and service centers can use the now empty space for more serious issues that cannot be addressed OTA.

- Availability of new features in a short amount of time: Once the testing is over and a feature is rolled out, the consumer won't have to wait for the update to be made available at service centers; they can get it updated at their convenience.

- ves:

- Risk of Data Breach: Whenever something is done over the net, there is always a potential risk of fraud and hacking. Hackers may be able to gain access to details that may be confidential about your vehicle and may also lead to identity theft.

- Requirement of good internet connectivity: Without good connectivity, the vehicle cannot update itself, and connectivity may be a challenge in some parts of our country.

Examples from posts of forum members:

1) Mahindra Scorpio N gets first OTA update (Mahindra Scorpio-N gets its first OTA update without going to ASC)

2) My Mahindra XUV700 gets its first OTA software update.

3) My Volkswagen ID.4 EV gets an OTA update after a year.


Would like to know BHPIans opinions on the future of over-the-air updates.

[Rajeevraj]

The more the car becomes software enabled- (SDV or Software Defined Vehicle as they call it), updates are going to become more regular and mainstream. I assume it is already fairly common in modern vehicles. I believe this will become much more common in Electric Vehicles (Like Tesla already do today) as the amount of change you can push via software updates will be significantly more in an EV.

In general, there are already standards and procedures around Automotive Functional Safety . OTA software updates will also need to be classified and appropriate standards established. Like, one would not want a critical system automatically updating in the middle of a drive. So more than any hacking or interception risks, these functional safety aspects would need to be taken care of. It is not like an OTA on devices like phones or computers where an update going wrong will mostly be an inconvenience or a temporary business impact.

[Mortis]

I'm not a fan. Unless these OTA updates are to add some extra functionality, they are most likely going to be used as a crutch by auto manufacturers.

We have seen what has happened with online delivery in the gaming world.

-Launch an unfinished or untested or buggy game ASAP to capitalise on hype and get the customers money in your account.

-Zero day patches to play the game on launch day

-Fix problems as they are discovered by customers instead of spending the time, effort and money to properly test it.

Customers will be happy that their problem has been fixed without having to take the car in when they should ideally be annoyed that the issue was present in the first place.

Profit

[BullettuPaandi]

I'm of the same opinion as Mortis, as well. You can just look into the details of the update received in the linked example posts, and see how they exemplify this. Predominant updates are bug fixes, and even feature additions are either: a) things that you'd expect to be available from day1, when you're paying the outlandish prices newer vehicles cost, or b) not so critical to the cars' function that, making a potentially non-tech-savvy person do this worth it (I guess we should rather be thankful that this is the case, though).

I understand with more software involvement in cars, updates are going to be necessary. But these applications are not, say linux distro levels of complicated, to really demand for 'rolling release' updates. These CAN be done properly before the launch, and if need be, updated once a year or two, which can viably be done at service centres, only which adds to the customers' ease of use/convenience.

The positive is all manufacturers'. It is actually less convenient for service centres as we won't be visiting them as often as otherwise (but who cares).

As for the negatives, with the internet adoption being so rampant lately, I think this connectivity issue is barely a negative. Someone who owns such a new car, can afford to get a decent connection quite easily, even in remote parts of our country, and probably already has. Not to belittle the concern, but the security issue is a never ending game with any technology involvement. I don't think it requires significantly harder measures to ensure secure OTA updates than regular ones.

[ASP007]

As pointed out in the opening post, the biggest advantage of OTA update is updating/upgrading the software without visiting the service centre. I mean, most of the car enthusiasts will stay at the service centre watching how their beloved possession is getting prepped. Means, taking a day off from work or spending a weekend day. People staying far off are benefitted the most. Provided that the update won't brick the system

[abhishekjoshi84]

I personally like the option of OTA updates on devices (from small devices like earbuds, smart tv remotes, internet routers/modems to large devices like TVs, smart appliances or even cars) for the convenience it provides as well as possibility of bug fixes and feature enhancements it brings, sometimes extending life of a product.

However, that is only if there is an option provided to turn off "automatic" OTA. Basically I want to be in a position to choose for myself if and when to update something. Typically I look for what is changing in an update and if it's adding value to me as a user and I also wait for some time after an update is released to see if any feedback from early adopters.

For cars, whether it is for the in car entertainment/navigation software or ADAS/Connectivity feature or even more critically ECU updates, I would definitely NOT want an automated OTA update. Last thing one needs is an OTA pushed from server side while you are in the middle of a highway run (or say when stopped for a break during a highway run) and causing any sort of problem.

As mentioned in original comment, there is an inherent risk of hacking/malware etc with any "connected/smart" product. However, that risk probability and risk impact both are smaller with cars (not much financial incentive in hacking a car vs say a phone or a laptop or even a fridge connected to Amazon account via Alexa to place orders). Moreover, even if OTA is not provided, most modern cars have other connected features for navigation or geofencing etc which anyways opened up the door for hacking/malware risk already.