HAL analogies and reliability

["Eric Chang" <ericchang@my-deja.com>]

>Dave, I can see through your side-view mirror camera, that your >moving the
>floor jack this way.
>Dave, you really should stop.

The use of cameras and computers in EVs is the butt of many a joke.
Tragically, last year's Sand Hill Challenge (pinewood derby) featured
an arrogant designer who put a camera without backup for front 
viewing.  The obvious thing occurred (what is the probability of this
junk anyway) and the driver was injured.  Unless you are sure of what
you are doing, be very careful about this kind of design.

Many engineers (software, mainly) roll their eyes when asked to put
in a hardware override.  This tends to give a bad reputation.  A lot
of hunters who go after dangerous game will not trust their scope,
having heard of several encounters in which the scope failed at close
range.  Searching for Therac-25 on the www will open some eyes.  Be
careful out there.





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