[Tfug] Misc. Item

[Chris]

On Sat, 29 Jun 2002 18:31:06 -0700
"Jeff Davidson" <nerg@fastucson.net> wrote:

> The true irony in that is that the '03 BMWs are being built with computer
> components running Windows CE.
> 

Yes.  First a clarification.  The WinCE they run is nothing like what's on pda's/tablets.  A fairer comparison would be to the 'Linux' that is running in/on the Transmeta Crusoe.

A couple of years ago when BMW first started work on the interface you see in the current 7 series (some form or another will eventually appear in the entire line)  they approached several companies regarding an embedded solution.  No one was able to show them anything that could be ready in the required time frame.  M$ had a product they could begin integrating imediately.  Also, BMW has an interesting way of dealing with suppliers.  Other manufacturers may use similar techniques to assure QC but I think BMW is the most stringent.  If a warranty issue is caused by a supplier's part, the supplier is contractually obligated to compensate BMW for every cost that may incurr.  And BMW is the final arbiter.  They have bankrupted (or acquired) companies this way in the past.  Becker Electronics supplied faulty radio heads: all gone, Getrag supplied faulty transmissions: BMW now owns a significant portion, etc.  M$ was their last choice but the only company that could put up at the time.

BMW is about 75% 'nix.  They had a long standing relationship with Sco but Caldera botched that terribly.  One of the unix weenies that BMW had to hire to provide the support that they had already contracted with Sco/Caldera for told me that BMW's experience with Caldera only cemented their belief that open source was not enterprise ready.  From what I've heard, M$ bent over backwards on the iDrive project, making last minute changes and fixing problems imediately.  They also came in on time and under budget.

And I can speak from direct experience.  The iDrive works.  It does not crash.  It is easy on the eyes.  It is intuitive, 10 minutes toggling around and you can do it with your eyes closed.  BMW has no logged reports of software problems with the system yet (I just checked the Quality Early Warnings on BMW's Technician support web site.  Usually reliable because the QEW's are posted by Technicians, not BMW).  We'll see how they hold up over time, but the iDrive so far is very cool and very reliable.

-C-