Eh, if we want to look at mechanical complexity increasing reliability, I'd point at exhaust valves. Have you owned a vehicle with valves you had to adjust? man, life was different before hydraulic lifters. Adding a fancy complex part means I don't have to fiddle about adjusting my valves every so often. (except on my motorcycle... Perhaps BMW of the '90s thought adjusting your valves built character or something.) And valve timing has gotten a lot more complex during my lifetime, at least last time I looked, was mechanical/analog. I came of age as VVT-I/VTECH variable valve timing was hitting the mass market, and I'm pretty sure those systems were not electronically actuated. (I can't say I really have looked at this sort of thing in the last decade, so they might be electronically actuated now) I'm sure there's a bunch of other mechanical bits that got both more complex and more reliable.
I do like the example of fuel injectors vs. carburetors. The carburetors were a lot more mechanically complex, and quite difficult for a non-expert to get right. Fuel injectors are easy. a good example of just how much a simple micro-controller can make a system seem a lot more simple.
I do like the example of fuel injectors vs. carburetors. The carburetors were a lot more mechanically complex, and quite difficult for a non-expert to get right. Fuel injectors are easy. a good example of just how much a simple micro-controller can make a system seem a lot more simple.