Feds Are Reportedly Looking Into Why McDonald's Ice-Cream Machines Are Always Busted

GRR Spartan wrote:Good read on the machine’s manufacturer (Taylor) cease and desist order against a company that developed a better interface on maintenance and repair of the machines

https://www.wired.com/story/they-hacked-mcdonalds-ice-cream-makers-started-cold-war/

The Pantry wrote:

GRR Spartan wrote:Good read on the machine’s manufacturer (Taylor)  cease and desist order against a company that developed a better interface on maintenance and repair of the machines

https://www.wired.com/story/they-hacked-mcdonalds-ice-cream-makers-started-cold-war/

Interesting article.  Who knew the ice cream machine business could be so complicated?

Sort of reminds of years ago building industrial machines.  There was (still is) 10% of the contract amount held back by the client until they are satisfied with performance of the equipment once installed and running on their floor.  

Some customers were not good payers and would string-out paying that last 10% as long as possible.  The machines used programmable logic controllers (PLC's).  I'm not a controls guy but thought there had to be a way to program a time bomb into the PLC.  When time ran out for reasonable payment, the PLC would stop functioning and the machine would be dead, forcing full payment before we sent someone out to reset it.  

Motown Spartan wrote:Right to repair is going to become a bigger and bigger issue moving forward.