My brother does independent computer modeling projects for most of the major automotive manufacturers, designing electronic components on a computer, and then running them to failure with a sophisticated simulation program without ever actually building the part. 10 years ago, he was charging $1K a day for his services. The manufacturers' primary concern was cost cutting- - - -they didn't care if a part worked well, as long as it could meet the warranty period without an unacceptable failure rate. Chances are, there's a bean counter somewhere in the woodwork who is dictating what kind of components that product can use.
Jerry
