Stead, Michael and Coulton, Paul (2022) ‘Liberate the tractors’: the right to repair movement that’s regaining control of our devices. The Conversation.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
The smart tractor is just one of thousands of machines and devices that have come to feature an additional layer of software on top of their traditional functions. By maintaining control over that software, manufacturers are afforded power over our devices long after the moment we purchase them. Hacking tractor software is the latest example of the fightback against this power, called the “right to repair” movement. Motivated by consumer rights and environmental concerns, it’s a movement that’s gathering pace worldwide. But our research shows the power remains firmly in manufacturers’ hands – for now.