Analysis of the software-based influence on a shortened useful life of products

The share of devices depending on software is constantly increasing. Not only information technology devices but also household appliances, entertainment electronics, building services engineering and vehicles are controlled by microcontrollers and are connected to the Internet. Software therefore increasingly determines the service life, functionality and reliability of these devices. The aim of the project is to systematically investigate software-related obsolescence and to derive political recommendations for action on this basis. Oeko-Institut's sub-work package includes in-depth research into the causes of software-related obsolescence in three selected product groups and the derivation of recommendations for action and implementation to avoid it. The project is led by the Institute for Social Innovation Consulting (ISIconsult). Other project participants include Oeko-Institut, the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration and the Technical University of Berlin, Department of Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research in Electronics.