This is why Ford will be conservative rolling out OTA updates

[Lord Polymath]

Ford has too much at stake to not do the right thing. PaaK recall shows they understand this. But if software is shipping on new cars why are we who have bought into their strategy (some of us almost two years ago who backed it with cash) why are we still waiting? Quality has to be assured, sure. But in addition to the hassle of a trip to the dealer, it takes a month to get an appointment for each fix and then some are still not offered. After 8 months I still love my car, but I’m looking forward to receiving the promise of (timely) OTA updates that unlock its full capabilities.

Written with respect to FOMOCO.

Maybe the same team that handles the Ford website is also in charge of the OTA updates.

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[Kamuelaflyer]

I LOVE this.

It’s true. People are getting the update. We’re just not getting it as fast as we’d like.

 

[DYohn]

It’s true. People are getting the update. We’re just not getting it as fast as we’d like.

...as SOME would like. /potstir

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

...as SOME would like. /potstir

As an avid cook, generally only time you don’t want to stir the pot is when you’re trying to put a good crust on something..

 

[JoeDimwit]

Semantics. Downloaded manually or pushed automatically is still being downloaded. And the only way the server can verify an OTA update was received is by verifying a checksum or some similar method that only checks that the entire data load was received, yes? Can they operate the vehicle and verify the update was effective after implementation? No they cannot. Can the user? Not reliably. Only the dealer can do that - and assume the liability of so doing I might add.

-edit- I suppose Ford could monitor effective implementation by receiving and analyzing vehicle performance data over time... but then what? If things are not right flash a big red warning on your dash display that something's not right, stop using the vehicle? Get thee to a dealer? Push out additional patches? I'd rather just have an update applied correctly and verified the first time....

I know for a fact that when I had an error message thrown on my car that said to pull over and shut down, I called the dealership, and they could see the error code via telematics. I would be flabbergasted if they don't have the ability to see that an OTA update has installed successfully.

 

[DYohn]

I know for a fact that when I had an error message thrown on my car that said to pull over and shut down, I called the dealership, and they could see the error code via telematics. I would be flabbergasted if they don't have the ability to see that an OTA update has installed successfully.

It would be cool if you are right. I have no idea.

 

[JoeDimwit]

this is the thing I don't understand about so many folks having tighty whities in a bunch to hurry and get the 1.71 ota. None of the changes are earth shattering and better to roll it out in phases then all at once and find out it bricks a car.

Because my angst has nothing to do with 1.7.1. It has everything to do with the process as I have seen it play out over 4 OTA updates so far. It is about there being no noticeable progress in operations tempo so far. It is about these facts killing my faith that this tempo will get any better once there are hundreds of thousands of cars in the queue than there are now. If they can’t roll an update to something like 30,000 vehicles now, we are screwed when they have a half a million cars to roll updates to.

If you can’t see that, might I suggest a trip to your optometrist?

 

[JoeDimwit]

Well not to get off topic, but this IS the $600 question. @Ford Motor Company has not been forthcoming, despite my multiple inquiries, about whether BlueCruise provides any enhancement to accuracy of the current lane centering functionality.

A great many people on this board have speculated that the “LIDAR-mapping” of the highways is meant to improve the reliability of the lane centering. But that is purely speculation. Ford has never confirmed it. Reviews from you and others who have used BC seem to suggest that the highway mapping is only being used to create a geofence within which the hands free functionality is enabled, but it doesn’t actually enhance the lane centering.

If that’s all BC is - hands free usage of current lane centering tech within a geofence - then folks who didn’t already buy BC are better off with a $6 ankle weight on the wheel to trick the torque sensor. Either way, you still have to keep your eyes on the road, but one approach is one hundred fold less expensive.

Please let’s not devolve to Stan status. Please?

 

[JoeDimwit]

It would be cool if you are right. I have no idea.

When I called, I asked if they wanted me to keep the alert in my FordPass, and the tech said “No need, I can see it here. I’ll make sure it is noted in your account so if it happens again, we can look at it.”.

so, i can say conclusively that they can see car status remotely.

 

[RickMachE]

so, i can say conclusively that they can see car status remotely.

 

[Mirak]

Please let’s not devolve to Stan status. Please?

Sorry I didn’t get that one. Explain?

 

[Mirak]

Let me explain from a background in AI tech and driving the car. This is in no way official and I understand that you would prefer that. Lane centering has different levels of correction. With BC enabled it's basically higher than high if that option existed. Professionally speaking, I see no use for LIDAR mapping in the current application of BC. The vehicle appears to use Lane markings only. When those markings disappear the system disengages. LIDAR is unable to see markings. I think Ford enabled BC on roads that are well marked. I believe GPS is in use to disengage the system where they feel reluctant to guide through certain known road conditions.

Hope that helps.

….no. I don’t think I understood. Do you think the BC makes the LC more accurate or not?

 

[JoeDimwit]

Sorry I didn’t get that one. Explain?

Let’s leave the ankle weights to Tesla fanboys. Does that make more sense?

 

[DevSecOps]

….no. I don’t think I understood. Do you think the BC makes the LC more accurate or not?

Simply put, no. I think it increases the level of enforcement but I don't think it brings any enhancement.

 

[Mirak]

Let’s leave the ankle weights to Tesla fanboys. Does that make more sense?

Ah got it. Ok. I’m not advocating for it, but my point remains. If all BC adds is allowing you to sub an eye nanny for a hand nanny on selected roads, that’s not worth $600. You can achieve the same result 1/100th of the cost and in either scenario you’ve got to watch the road.

Ford made such a big deal about “mapping” the highways! It was even a justification for why this should be a subscription - because the roads would be constantly re-mapped. If this was all just to make a geofence without actually enhancing the LC, that would be horrifically disappointing.

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