Heys,
I agree with all you’ve written…except, I don’t think the last bit can happen anymore due to computers being in the mix.
Thanks, Ken.
Two things on this. Having watched the development of the Grenadier electronics are being kept limited. Solid state components are not the problem per se, it’s often the wiring and quality of the wiring. Good wiring that is flexible with proper well made connections and a loom that is properly fixed sorts many of the issues. Cheap hard wiring that doesn’t flex with spade end connectors give all sorts of problems.
As to actual control boards, provided major functions are separated they are easily swapped out. Challenge and expense comes when one unit controls the whole vehicle and it also carries all the VIN numbers, anti theft etc etc. If your engine etc gets broken and you can easily swap it then probably far more reliable than old mechanical points and carburettors etc.
I, probably like you are of a generation where we understand mechanical analogue machinery. Most kids these days fully understand digital stuff. The big challenge with computer systems on vehicles is dealers with holding access to the software required to manage all the bits and pieces.
The Grenadier is work on an open source basis, so pretty much any body with a laptop, ipad, smart phone etc will be able interrogate, diagnose and fix things. But my understanding is that the primary design of the Grenadier is solid mechanical systems that work without needing lots of clever electronics. So its traction is through good beam axles, with well designed linkages, springs and dampers that maintain contact with ground and power is delivered by good differential systems - and the system is not relying on clever electronics to stop wheels spinning.
As for all the user entertainment, information systems etc. Ineos is working on the basis that all of us have powerful devices in our pockets with our preferred navigation etc. All they do is provide an interface for this. And the system is made so the vehicle is not reliant on them.
Going back to circuit boards, ECUs etc it would make sense that spares are made available, and if you are overlanding or operating remotely take these as spares. In the same way as carrying fan belt, sets of points and capacitors, and sundry nuts and bolts, hose clamps.
It’s a bit we all use to use tubed tyres, and we used ti carry spare tubes in the bush, and puncture were a weekly if not daily occurrence. Modern tubeless tyres are so so much better. You can run them softer or harder, and when you do get a puncture you can just plug them. But you need a plugging kit. And id you do take a tyre off, you do really need a compressor to reseat them - a foot pump is not going to work. Either have one on the vehicle, or find a truck.
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