Commodore Amiga controls AC systems in 19 schools - running "nonstop" since 1985

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Somewhere in Grand Rapids, Michigan, there is an ancient Commodore Amiga that is hard at work. For over a quarter century it has been controlling the heat and air conditioning at 19 different schools and running nonstop. It's still kicking, for now anyway.

 

Since then, the machine has tirelessly controlled the heating and AC systems at the 19 schools under its jurisdiction using a system that sends out commands over short-wave radio frequencies. The trouble is, those same frequencies are used by maintenance workers' walkie-talkies which can cause interference.

 

That, and it'd be next to impossible to find the parts

[Asharae]

30 years?! Talk about reliability!

[patseguin Global Moderator]

1200 bit modem? 1200 BAUD.

[Tomoko]

Impossible to find parts? Someone should tell them about eBay.

 

I'm not sure why it would cost millions of dollars to upgrade the system though, if an Amiga can do it so can a cheap Dell, or better yet don't we have smart thermostats now?

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Impossible to find parts? Someone should tell them about eBay.

 

I think they mentioned finding parts on eBay in the news clip.

[+John Teacake MVC]

Virtualize it.