Introducing Ford AI Assistant

[Snakebitten]

Alexa was Ai before Ai was cool.

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[Jimrpa]

Seriously Ford? And if Elon musk began touting jumping out of spacecraft without a space suit, would you be slavishly following that too?

All joking aside, I don’t want another “island of quasi-intelligence” that is unaware of, and incapable of really inter operating with all my other “islands of quasi-intelligence” and unintelligent crap. Here’s an example: home appliance makers all decided that they needed apps for their appliances. However, they use different apps that dont interoperate. Admittedly, the need for connectivity between my dishwasher and oven is minimal, but why do I need two different bespoke apps?

 

[RickMachE]

 

[Mache_Nor]

That would be actually useful. Probably the reason it will not support that.

“Please precondition the battery”

- “Allright, starting the webasto”

“I don’t have a ICE car!”

-“You are absolutely right, my bad. This is a private registered vehicle and not one associated with immigration and customs enforcement. Would you like me to order a pizza from Dominos?”

“No! I want to heat the battery so that it is roughly 25 degrees Celsius hot to maximize the charging output on a fast charger”.

-“Absolutely understandable that you want 25 degrees in the cabin when it’s cold to ensure your able to perform at your best, I have therefor adjusted the temperature. I also added a waypoint to the navigation for the closest Dominos so that you can heat up further with a delicious pizza!

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I know this is just an app for now, but I’m glad I turned off automated updates on both of our vehicles. Now I have to worry that they’ll slip this garbage into the vehicle when it needs some kind of software recall update.

I wonder if Ford is willing to take on the liability of its ai slop telling people they can load 3000 pounds of manure into their Mustang. If not, why would they even consider pushing this kind of nonsense?

Following the app launch in 2026, the AI assistant will begin a native in-vehicle experience starting in 2027 in the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition. So, you have nothing to worry about if you have concerns for your Mach-E.

UPDATE:
However, if you do want access when it launches via the app, customers with a compatible smartphone and a connected Ford or Lincoln vehicle will be able to use the AI assistant for a wide range of tasks, such as maintenance advice, adventure planning, and feature explanations. While the deep dashboard integration will begin with some 2027 models, the intelligence itself is designed to be accessible to current owners through the app.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Following the app launch in 2026, the AI assistant will begin a native in-vehicle experience starting in 2027 in the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition. So, you have nothing to worry about if you have concerns for your Mach-E.

Thanks Brian. Another reason to look at other brands for our next vehicle when it’s time to replace the Mustang.

 

[dan_meh]

I reserve judgment. My expectations, however, are low. This is to do with how AI is broadly used in the world and how often AI gets the answers wrong.

My questions:

• If someone uses the AI (assuming we mean madlibs with statistics) to load their truck, will Ford motor company take responsibility when that someone puts too much mulch in their truck and damages the rear axle? Will they take responsibility when the truck is overloaded, can’t stop and plows into a child? If I’m going to be responsible, I’m not going to trust the AI. I’m gonna look at the door card look at the payload capacity, look at the weight of the bag of mulch and do my own math.
• Will it show its reasoning so that I can check it?
• Will it do EV routing? Can I say “I’m going to snowshoe West Virginia, tell me the best way to go to arrive with at least 50% charge.” if it’s not faster and better than tapping ABRP, and if Ford isn’t going to take responsibility for me getting stuck in Green Bank, WV, why bother?
• What was the opportunity cost of developing the AI? Did Ford Motor Company give up the opportunity to improve the reliability of the vehicles? Did Ford Motor Company give up on the opportunity to add Tesla superchargers into the native NAV for 2024 and earlier vehicles?
• Can the AI access authoritative videos or documentation by Ford? For example, if I ask, “why am I only charging it 72KW,” will I get some random YouTube video? Will I get something from Ford that I feel like I can trust?
• What’s in the system prompt and what’s the temperature? For example, does the system prompt prevent answers that would break the law or void the warranty? Is the temperature conservative or is it off the chain?

i’m willing to try it. But the moment it’s more work than pulling out my phone and using a calculator, searching Google, or calling a dealership, I am out.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

@Ford Motor Company

I wish it were otherwise. We really do love the Mustang and the Lightning.

We have almost 60k miles on the Mustang and nearly 25,000 on the Lightning. We expect to get to 100,000 in the next couple of years. We will happily continue driving them both as long as we can; I wouldn’t be surprised if both the Mustang and the Lightning easily make it to 600,000 miles.

But there will come a time to replace it.

And with the cancellation of the Lightning, no clear future for the Mustang Mach-E, and these announcements of expensive distractions into ADAS L3 and AI, I don’t see any actual vehicles in the BEV lineup over the next five years. Just software. And if whatever new Ford BEV that is eventually released is entangled with AI, I have no interest.

I used to let people know how much I love these vehicles. But with the massive swings in Ford's direction as of late, I tell people now that I love these vehicles and if they’re looking for a used BEV, they should consider one, but I can’t recommend Ford’s new vehicles.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Respectfully - is there a question for me (Brian) to answer here or are we just using me as a punching bag? Don't worry, I can take it.

Below the belt and totally unacceptable. Thanks for being the adult in the room, Brian. We appreciate your candor and willingness to engage despite inappropriate comments.

 

[Sikkun]

I don't consider Alexa or Google Assistant AI. I never use Alexa, but I use Google Assistant at times. "Turn off Family Room Lights". That's voice recognition, it existed long before AI.

I was offered the ability to turn on Alexa+, and I declined.

It’s ok LLMs are not AI either but we are in the hype phase and companies are trying to make sure your the bag holder of their investments into technology that has been overstated as opposed to them.

Nvidia, Microsoft, and a couple others are the real winners. Most companies have no idea how to make this “ai” profitable any more so than the last 10 tech trends they jumped on.

 

[Mach1E]

Yes put AI in all of our cars.

That way when it becomes sentient at least our suffering will be quick.

 

[iNeedANameHere]

The second this starts rolling out to the cars is the day I turn off updates forever.

Edit: I just realized this is going to roll out to the Ford app and not be a standalone app. I'll be removing the app from my phone if this feature isnt removable. I want my car app to be a car app not an assistant

 

[rpr]

customers with a compatible smartphone and a connected Ford or Lincoln vehicle will be able to use the AI assistant for a wide range of tasks, such as maintenance advice

Ooh boy, it'll probably remind me I'm due for an oil change, just like my dealership does.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Both of these future "features" would have had a much better reception if not for Ford's recent near BEV about-face. Also, don't shoot Brian.

 

[SonicBlue]

Respectfully - is there a question for me (Brian) to answer here or are we just using me as a punching bag? Don't worry, I can take it.

It’s a question and comment directed to @Ford Motor Company. Why is that confusing? Are you not the correct contact for such comments? You literally adopted the @Ford Motor Company handle.

Since I have your attention, why do I have to tap into Settings to open my trunk? (1) That isn’t a setting. (2) It’s a laggy pain. When I’m making a quick drop off or pickup, I want to press a button an open my trunk. And that’s why every single car I’ve ever owned had a physical trunk button. This car doesn’t. Instead it has TWO one-tap means of activating max defrost. But ZERO one-tap means of opening the trunk. That is DUMB design. It would be very easy to fix - just add a little button to the top ribbon of the Home Screen. But Ford won’t do it. Do you drive a MME, Brian?

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