Posted on October 23, 2008 - by admin

Open Source: Not Just For Computers

That’s right – Just ask BMW.

BMW has announced that it will be looking for partners to develop the “Ultimate Driving Software” for the “Ultimate Driving Machine”.

Currently the “ConnectDrive” and “iDrive” systems reportedly run on Windows CE, paired with proprietary BMW engineered software.

No real details have been given out yet, but there is quite a hype around BMW and other auto manufacturers to create an open platform, for all to use, so long as they abide by the licensing restrictions.

Personally, I think this is a great idea. It almost relates directly to computers; every company offers unique hardware features, and their own software tweaks, but there are just a few common platforms to build upon. Having said that, open source software in cars should allow us, developers and hackers, to make the most out of out on board system, but this open code may be only available to other car manufactures. Luckily for us though, there is always a leak, or another way in.

Toyohei Nakajima, senior engineer at Honda R&D said, “We also need to make sure who will be responsible for such an open system architecture. Maybe we need to learn more about that from BMW.”

This is another good call. Who will be in charge? If one automaker holds the “title”, if you will, how lenient will they be, and how technologically responsible are they?

There are many flukes to this plan, but once more details surface, I think we could be onto something real cool here.

Imagine being able to hack into your car, without having to be a motor-head and tinker with ECU’s and the whole nine yards?

Good luck to BMW, and I hope to hear more.

I’ll keep ya updated.