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Comment by Aurornis | Hacker News Reader

The linked page is here: https://service.tesla.com/roadster

I see 3 circuit boards and a GitHub repo that has an .ISO of the diagnostic software. They include DBC files that define the CAN interface, but that's it.

There's basically nothing here? Or am I missing something? No firmware, no CAD, no design files, no engineering data. It's like they released the service manuals and a couple PCB release files they scrounged up from someone's e-mail, but there's very little in here beyond what you'd get from service manuals or from having a PCB in your hand and following traces around. The PCBs are extremely basic.

I don't get it. Was this just a trick to get headlines from journalists who don't know how to interpret the files on the website? Or was there supposed to be more and it's just not up on the website yet?

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Definitely a PR stunt - it wouldn't even be possible to service an existing Roadster, as the "special tools" are not open-source as well.

https://service.tesla.com/docs/Public/Roadster/Original/1.2....

Also, it's the Roadster -- a $100k+ supercar which sold less than 2500 units. Not the sort of thing an owner would typically be doing DIY repairs on, if they're even driving it. (I wouldn't be surprised if a substantial number of the remaining Roadsters are held by collectors.)

Also, doesn't the Roadster precede Elon's participation in the company?

Yes it's a stunt, but c'mon, those "special tools" are something every manufacturer has, and they're usually not that special, and they're easily replaced.

One of the Tesla ones is literally a storage cart. Another is a sawed-off 26mm wrench head, the "clip tool" looks like it could be cut out of plywood or a sheet of metal in a few minutes.

I've seen this exact stunt from the MiT media lab

Now it's up to the Twitter fact checker system to kick in. We'll see if that causes the tweet deletion.

I guess, but if you ever reversed engineered any 80's and 90's automotive electronics any bit of info you can get is amazing. Currently dealing with reverse engineering a wire protocol / command structure on a discontinued 90's automaker using logic probes its not really fun

Well, I agree any information is helpful. At the same time, this is so blatantly not "all design and engineering files" it is absurd. That statement is a clear lie.

>Was this just a trick to get headlines from journalists who don't know how to interpret the files on the website?

You're discussing a Twitter post by the same guy who knowingly committed securities fraud ("funding secured.") in order to protect the share price of his company.

One of the greatest grifters in history.

Do you expect him to be honest and upfront in his PR dealings?

Did someone test this at all? It takes like 3 clicks to get to a "not found".

>whatever we have, you have

Must have lost the rest in a big fire or something. Drowned in a canoeing accident.

> just a trick to get headlines

Yes.

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