the myth of the microcontroller fuzzy logic

[Tipu606]

can anyone please let me know if it is true or false that household appliances like washing machines, microwave ovens etc fail to function after the warranty period is over because there is a self destruct program built into the microcontroller with time period?is it a true or a false belief?
thanks !!

 

[keith1200rs]

Search for 'appliances designed to fail' or something similar on Google and you will find plenty of discussions on the issue such as

http://money.msn.com/shopping-deals/are-more-products-designed-to-fail
http://www.dw.de/designed-to-fail-electronics-a-global-problem/a-16369155

That is a different subject to "Fuzzy Logic"

Keith

 

[Tipu606]

@keith1200rs
hello and thanks for the links
i am more worried about my brand new washing machine with fuzzy logic using a microcontroller i presume
which may give up the ghost after the warranty period has expired
regards !

 

[keith1200rs]

If it does stop working, it will be simply because products are designed balancing cost/lifetime rather than a built in self destruct. If you are practical then it is often possible to keep things working for a long time. I have still managed to get parts for Bauknecht appliances long after they were sold to Philips (now Whirlpool). You might have to wait for the parts and do more searching but it is often possible. Unfortunately if you rely on repair men it is often uneconomic due to the low cost of new items.

Keith

 

[KerimF]

...because there is a self destruct program built into the microcontroller with time period

This reminds me when, a few years ago, I bought a costly digital oscilloscope. After one year, a message is displayed that I should replace the 7V2 battery pack (the original one costs about $300). I removed the pack then re-installed it... I got another year.