Some companies know how OTA should work

[skeighle]

Just my 2c,

The issue for me is not just that my car has not received updates, its that paak, p&c, and software are not working at all or working inconsistently. It was on ford to make sure these cars had the full functionality that was being advertised at launch.

This speaks to a larger issue in multiple markets atm. The promise of Ota updates or connected features or whatever is not an excuse to release an unfinished product

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[tonesto7]

Here is my high-level observation and opinions based on the facts that I know personally.

Ford had an opportunity to redesign the network/software infrastructure of these vehicles for a new generation.
For some reason, they chose to keep the exact same structure and repurposed the GWM and inter-link between the modules to allow it to download and perform updates like FRDS/IDS.

This legacy structure makes for a continuous improvement nightmare because of the endless variations of hardware and software configurations.

Basically, they would need to backport every fix/feature update down the tree to all of the different software/config variations. (that's a monstrous task and after dissecting some of the software VBF's I don't think ford has any autonomy to software builds)

The only way I can see to sustain the image they cast about OTA updates would require a common module structure in all of the vehicles so they can share the exact same hardware. Then ford only needs to build off of one core codebase that's modular and accounts for the different vehicle dynamics. Then based on parameters it will present the desired options and features for that model. Think of it like a FordOS and LincolnOS!
Sure over time the codebase would get large but it's much easier to place hardware restrictions on the software than to require the backporting of code.

 

[Malacandra]

Here is my high-level observation and opinions based on the facts that I know personally.

Ford had an opportunity to redesign the network/software infrastructure of these vehicles for a new generation.
For some reason, they chose to keep the exact same structure and repurposed the GWM and inter-link between the modules to allow it to download and perform updates like FRDS/IDS.

This legacy structure makes for a continuous improvement nightmare because of the endless variations of hardware and software configurations.

Basically they would need to backport every fix/feature update down the tree to all of the different software/config variations. (that's a monstrous task and after dissecting some of the software VBF's I don't think ford has any autonomy to software builds)
Keep in mind they have teams working on new models years in advance.

The only way I can see to sustain the image they cast about OTA updates would require a common module structure in all of the vehicles so they can share the exact same hardware. Then ford only needs to build off of one core codebase that's modular and accounts for the different vehicle dynamics. Then based on parameters it will present the desired options and features for that model. Think of it like a FordOS and LincolnOS!
Sure over time the codebase would get large but it's much easier to place hardware restrictions on the software than to require the backporting of code.

Based on what you're writing here, Teslas would be impossible. They have many, many programmatic units that even run different operating systems.

These issues can be addressed by basic object oriented design. As long as the systems that encapsulate the behavior of different hardware modules adhere to common interfaces, this needn't be hugely difficult. Differing hardware modules would require their own implementations to support the common interface, and each would require their own updates… but they should otherwise be black boxes to one another.

 

[chrisGT]

Porsche Taycan is on the same boat, maybe worst. It required at least two major software updates (one to resolve the 12v drainage and the other for the power loss recall) and both required a visit to the dealer. Also those with the 19KW onboard charger need to visit the dealer again for additional updates.
The only thing that Taycan gets OTA is map updates and updates to the infotainment apps (Weather, Calendar, etc). I guess you can call these map updates as OTA in your marketing campaigns but that is not what most customers expected when they heard OTA.

 

[available_username2]

probably more like 99, correct your TPS report's heading.

It's funny because Henry Ford like didn't believe in accounting, and basically no one knew how much money Ford had for ridiculously long. I think until they went public.

 

[garfieldorlando]

Complete failure I have to say, including sync 4. The hardware (snapdragen 820) is almost 4 years old chip (they should have chosen a more powerful one from beginning, but 820 is cheap...) but it is still capable to run the UI smoothly without lagging. Check out the smart phones on the market with this chip, they all run smooth still. The sad thing is that this out-dated chip cannot run the latest android version in a smooth way which means in 2 years when sync switches to android automotive based our car cannot upgrade. After 6 months of ownership, I give up on the "promised" OTAs. There is a thread of most wishful features I would say the list is a dream which you will never get before you sell your car. The expectation on the car has changed, they all drive reasonably well mechanically, but now the software is the main differentiator. Lagging software or lacking of smart features will definitely lose the younger buyer going forward, and the trend is not reversible. Thus even though I hate Tesla and will probally won't buy their car until they improve the build quality and NVH, I do own lots of Tesla stocks. From what I can see, they have the much brighter and predictable future and they are eventually gonna dominate the whole market given their tech/software capabilities.

 

[agoldman]

Complete failure I have to say, including sync 4. The hardware (snapdragen 820) is almost 4 years old chip (they should have chosen a more powerful one from beginning, but 820 is cheap...) but it is still capable to run the UI smoothly without lagging.

mine lags all over the place. and by the way, tesla aleady dominates the market, quality control issues not withstanding.

 

[garfieldorlando]

mine lags all over the place. and by the way, tesla aleady dominates the market, quality control issues not withstanding.

Yes seems like the complains for their build quality has been reduced a lot in the past year. Now with the imports of MY from china the build quality is indeed much better. I guess I will keep my mach E for 3 years till lease ends then switch to Tesla. The software piece on mach E makes it feel like a car from 10 years back.

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