While most of us don’t yet associate OTA updates with our vehicles, we soon will.
Manufacturers eager to save and make money are exploring ways to perform recalls and release upgrades with this technology.
What Are Automotive OTA Updates?
OTA updates are fixes and features delivered wirelessly to embedded devices.
For example, there are numerousways to play music from your phone to your car stereo.
However, a manufacturer wishes to offer this feature in its infotainment system.
Image Credit: Roman Vyshnikov/Shutterstock
In some vehicles, this happens automatically; others require owners to scan for updates.
Right now, SOTA updates are more common for vehicles than FOTA.
If you’re wondering why, it helps tounderstand the differences between software and firmware.
Automotive FOTA updates typically address critical systems.
Many vehicles lack the technological complexity to complete FOTA updates.
This technology is trickling down into affordable vehicles but remains more prevalent in the high-end sector.
Infotainment systems rely on OTA updates for up-to-date maps, new apps, and improved interfaces.
They can also be used to address safety recalls.
Over-the-Air Updates vs.
Recalls: What’s the Difference?
This confusion may be partly attributable to linguistics.
The word “recall” connotes something moving.
For example, in the case of a meat recall, the product is physically removed from shelves.
The murkiness between recalls and OTA updates is also rooted in our experiences.
It used to be that recalls always required a visit to the dealership.
OTA updates are not a panacea that will eliminate the need to go to dealerships.
Tesla already handles most of its recalls via OTA updates instead of physical repairs.
Advantages of OTA Updates
When your vehicle has a problem, it’s stressful and inconvenient.
One advantage of OTA updates is that they save time for consumers.
A second advantage is money.
Everyone wants to knowhow to avoid overpaying for repairsand falling victim to a repair shop.
That’s also good news for dealers facing a nationwide auto technician shortage.
OTA updates hold unique improvement opportunities for electric vehicles (EVs).
For example, Audi announced an OTA update that couldimprove the range of the e-tron.
OTA connectivity will help data scientists to improve battery technology because it offers bidirectional connectivity.
Manufacturers can send and receive information from EVs to improve their performance over time.
Besides commercial applications, this will be popular with parents who useapps to track their teen drivers.
OTA updates will synergize with the automotive’s industry push for subscription models.
Our driving patterns provide rich information to both manufacturers and advertisers seeking to sell personalized products and services.
Even more concerning is the idea that an individual’s vehicle could be targeted via OTA technology.
If you’ve seen “The Godfather,” recall [spoilers!]
the scene where Michael Corleone’s car blows up in Sicily.
Another danger, one that we’ve already seen, is improperly executed updates.
A fewTesla ownershave reported that OTA updates have bricked their vehicles.
On theMachEForum, Ford owners expressed frustration as their MacheE OTA updates failed.
These problems will have to be addressed before OTA vehicle updates become mainstream.
When Will We See OTA Vehicle Updates?
Modern vehicles contain millions of lines of code and hundreds of electronic control units (ECUs).
It will require complex coordination to make widespread OTA technology safe and reliable.
Just as with many other embedded devices, certain parameters must be met for an update to succeed.
A vehicle used to be a static machine.
The features it had when you got it were the only features it was ever going to have.
In the future, your car will get better over time.
