Vehicle event data recorder

[rcjordan]

'Black box' in Woods SUV could yield clues to cause of wreck - ABC News
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/black-box-woods-suv-yield-clues-wreck-76122416

[ergophobe]

Just wait until this data gets regularly uploaded to your insurance company. It's already happening for long-haul truckers.

[Brad]

> truckers

Pay by the mile road tax will hit the trucking industry first because the data will be available.

[rcjordan]

>yield clues to cause
>insurance

Suppose the black box confirms that Tiger was speeding.  If we're already giving out computerized tickets after running a red light, it is not a far stretch to receiving black box tickets after an accident.

So, this poses the questions; Is it superfluous for operation of the vehicle? How to disable?

Travoli?

[littleman]

The Corvette has had a black box since 2004.  Imagine the data collected from Tesla cars; the Model 3 and Model Y are equipped with a Cabin Cameras.

[ergophobe]

How often is that data getting subpoenaed in civil cases right now? It's gotta be happening.

[rcjordan]

IIRC, there was an Tesla S accident in Florida about 18 months ago that the onboard data did make it to court.

<+>
>make it to court

Not exactly. NHTSA looking for autopilot.
https://www.theverge.com/2016/6/30/12072408/tesla-autopilot-car-crash-death-autonomous-model-s

[ergophobe]

I remember that. At least for the time being, computers do not have civil rights, so no surprise they can subpoena that. I'm wondering in civil or possibly criminal cases.

I say you hit my child because you were speeding and subpoena your computer to try to prove you were speeding (or perhaps you submit the data to prove that you were not speeding, but I bet lawyers would resist that due to the lawyer's code: don't ask a question unless you know the answer).

[Travoli]

>Is it superfluous for operation of the vehicle? How to disable?

95% of vehicles on the road have Event Data Recorders (EDRs). Occasionally there is a physical box that could be disconnected, but usually that box ties into airbag systems. Mostly, telematics are baked straight into the vehicle's computer and impossible to remove.

For years, engine tuners have used piggyback computers to adjust sensor data real-time. They trick the OEM ECU to create more horsepower. Someone could create a plug-and-play telematics piggyback, but it might disable safety systems. I haven't ever seen one, though.

Best option is to drive classic vehicles.