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Tractor Hacking: The Farmers Breaking Big Tech's Repair Monopoly
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#righttorepair#johndeere#tractorhacking
Tractor Hacking: The Farmers Breaking Big Tech's Repair Monopoly
Motherboard
1.5M subscribers • 3 videos on Hallway
- Recommended by 4 people: 3 on Hacker News and 1 on Lobsters.
Beginner. No background in the topic needed.
3.3M views8 years ago4 recommendations
SecurityHardwareReverse engineeringElectronics
This documentary explores how farmers and mechanics in Nebraska use hacked diagnostic software to bypass manufacturer locks and repair their tractors.
When it comes to repair, farmers have always been self reliant. But the modernization of tractors and other farm equipment over the past few decades has left most farmers in the dust thanks to diagnostic software that large manufacturers hold a monopoly over. In this episode of State of Repair, Motherboard goes to Nebraska to talk to the farmers and mechanics who are fighting large manufacturers like John Deere for the right to access the diagnostic software they need to repair their tractors. WATCH NEXT: The Pinball Doctors, the Last Arcade Technicians in NYC - vice.video/2DRls2X Subscribe to MOTHERBOARD: bit.ly/Subscribe-To-MOTHERBOARD Follow MOTHERBOARD Facebook: facebook.com/motherboardtv Twitter: twitter.com/motherboard Tumblr: motherboardtv.tumblr.com/ Instagram: instagram.com/motherboardtv More videos from the VICE network: fb.com/vicevideoWhy it's here
4 people recommend thisWhat people say. Recommended as an impactful look at the real-world consequences of software locks and the right to repair.
samcampbellon Hacker News • Recommends
On “California to Introduce 'Right to Repair' Bill”
Here's a relevant video in regards to farmers and their equipment that drove the impact of the ‘Right to Repair’ bill home for me. link to this video
OrwellianChildon Hacker News • Recommends
On “California to Introduce 'Right to Repair' Bill”
I appreciate the dialogue. We may have to agree to disagree on the final point. I'm not convinced that there is always a competitive market filled with alternatives that meet customer preferences. For example: I have to choose between iMessage and a headphone jack for my cell phone. There are other phones , but I don't have a totally ala carte menu - there are always trade offs. This likely won't change your opinion either, but it's a good piece that adds color to this conversation about right-to-repair: Motherboard published a video about John Deere's tractor/maintenance lock-in that looks at the issue from the perspective of 6-figure industrial equipment. 1 It's worth a look. 1 link to this video
anfractuosityon Hacker News • Recommends
On “Repair is as important as innovation”
I thought this was quite interesting: Tractor Hacking: The Farmers Breaking Big Tech's Repair Monopoly - link to this video
ramy_don Hacker News • Mentions
On “A Company That Tears Cars Apart to Find Out How They're Built”
what about software? I'm reminded of what farmers have to go through with John Deere tractors [video ]. Isn't that going to start happening with cars (I thought this was already happening). Are they going to reverse engineer that too?