The challenge of designing a computer centered control system for a car involves traditional feasibility considerations with a unique emphasis on problems of high volume production of multiple models with stringent safety and reliability requirements. Recent GM efforts in computer system development on a series of Alpha vehicles, have allowed evaluation of a number of system configurations. Continuing tradeoff studies and design iterations are necessary to optimize a currently favored approach. Work to date confirms that the car central computer, though feasible, needs further work to achieve practicality.
