Like an automobile? Computerizing automobiles has been both a bane and a blessing. If the computer completely dies, you're dead in the water but a partial failure can put the engine into "limp home" mode and still get you there. My older cars could be kept running with bailing wire and duct tape and would be the transportation to have if the country were to collapse and fancy new parts were unavailable. Think "Road Warrior". 8-)
TDD