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Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

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Re: Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

#21

Post by whaleofatw2022 »

TheAceOfHearts wrote: post #11

I don't know about electric cars, but for gas powered cars there are open source ECUs [0][1]. There are also tuners that directly modify the car's firmware to improve performance. Finally, you can connect a computer to the CAN bus [2], which allows you to capture and replay commands, as well as craft your own commands. This is how Comma's openpilot [3] works: it connects to the CAN bus and sends commands for all supp…

There's also the Megasquirt for fuel timing, which is not quite open but not fully closed off either...

Re: Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

#23

Post by cmrdporcupine »

2rsf wrote: post #8

Not ROMs but OrBit is a "OrBit is PC software for diagnostics, configuration, and software flashing for newer Volvo and Polestar vehicles". American Polestars can, for example, enable their adaptive headlights using OrBit. https://spaycetech.com/

I've been reluctant to try this with my P2 for fear of voiding warranties etc.

But it seems Polestar is doing their best to make my warranty useless by closing local dealers and offering shitty service anyways.

I should give this a whirl.

Re: Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

#24

Post by SoftTalker »

AlotOfReading wrote: post #19
poulpy123 wrote: post #18

It's legally forbidden for the part of the software that is controlling the car

The only parts where that's true are for things like FCC certification. The US does not have an affirmative certification process for automotive software, including safety critical systems. NHTSA instead puts out a set of rules called FMVSS that manufacturers and aftermarket parts must comply with. Manufacturers then self-certify that they meet FMVSS and produce a bunch of documentation demonstrating that if NHTSA as…

"For off-road use" is the the magic phrase that lets people sell any random garbage as "car parts" or modifications in the USA.

Re: Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

#25

Post by gia_ferrari »

whaleofatw2022 wrote: post #21
TheAceOfHearts wrote: post #11

I don't know about electric cars, but for gas powered cars there are open source ECUs [0][1]. There are also tuners that directly modify the car's firmware to improve performance. Finally, you can connect a computer to the CAN bus [2], which allows you to capture and replay commands, as well as craft your own commands. This is how Comma's openpilot [3] works: it connects to the CAN bus and sends commands for all supp…

There's also the Megasquirt for fuel timing, which is not quite open but not fully closed off either...

For full open source, there's Speeduino and FOME (newer). I've used both for my cars. https://speeduino.com/home/ https://wiki.fome.tech/

Re: Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

#26

Post by jillesvangurp »

Not really. You might want to look at what Rivian has been sharing about their vehicle hardware and software architecture. Sandy Munro did a few on site visits with their team.

I think you are underestimating how complex EVs are, how much software goes into them, and what goes into coming up with an alternative software stack. Also, I doubt that the likes of Rivian, Tesla, etc. are going to just let people boot whatever on their cars. Why would they?

But at the lower levels, hacking things like battery management systems is definitely a thing that is done and somewhat supported. A lot of retrofits where ICE engines are swapped out for an electrical drive train end up repurposing drive trains from EVs.

Re: Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

#27

Post by MuffinFlavored »

1970-01-01 wrote: post #15

No. Aftermarket ECUs absolutely exist for almost all internal combustion engines. Other aftermarket modules are rare. Integration of them into a complete system even more so.

> Aftermarket ECUs absolutely exist for almost all internal combustion engines.

2025 BMW G80 M3 has an aftermarket ECU? Audi RS3? Mercedes E 63 S?

Immobilizer baked into the gateway and transmission and ignition, etc. etc.

Re: Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

#28

Post by kjkjadksj »

poulpy123 wrote: post #18

It's legally forbidden for the part of the software that is controlling the car

You can throw on a supercharger and no2 system and put down 1000 horsed and it is fine. But dare you change your throttle response curve…

Re: Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

#29

Post by hedora »

What recourse do consumers have if the software in a car is so faulty as to be dangerous?

Our (brand new) car is the most dangerous vehicle I have ever driven by a large margin because the steering, brakes and accelerator spuriously override the driver in a way that could cause an accident every couple of hundred miles. (It averages a spurious alarm or override every 10 miles or so, and flat out force departs a lane or accelerates at a person / car every few thousand).

Most of these issues could probably be fixed with so-called “deletes” that rip out parts of the active driver assist system, but they aren’t available for this model, and frankly, I’d rather pay to watch it be crushed than mess with such stuff.

Re: Ask HN: Do custom ROMs exist for electric cars, for example Teslas?

#30

Post by piltdownman »

MuffinFlavored wrote: post #27
1970-01-01 wrote: post #15

No. Aftermarket ECUs absolutely exist for almost all internal combustion engines. Other aftermarket modules are rare. Integration of them into a complete system even more so.

> Aftermarket ECUs absolutely exist for almost all internal combustion engines. 2025 BMW G80 M3 has an aftermarket ECU? Audi RS3? Mercedes E 63 S? Immobilizer baked into the gateway and transmission and ignition, etc. etc.

No but you can ECU Unlock and re-flash e.g. the RS3 - which ends up fulfilling the same use-case in this instance as an aftermarket ECU.
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