Dinozero
Well-known member
I think you explained the problem very well.It seems that Ford's difficulty with software has to do with the fact that the way the modules were designed doesn't really lend themselves to be updated OTA very well, even on ICE vehicles. They've had to figure out how to reliably update modules that were really meant to live their life with factory software. Updating was really only contemplated if a problem arose and only by the dealer.
Other automakers like Tesla and Rivian designed their electronic architecture from the ground up to be for an EV and to allow continuous OTA updates for new features, performance, and fixes. My understanding is that Ford's next generation of EVs will have an integrated electronic architecture that will address many of the difficulties of software updates. Right now our trucks have a complicated system of various modules with dedicated functions yet all are expected to play well with each other.
I don't know the ideal setup, but it would seem to make more sense, be cheaper, and more efficient to just have one integrated module that controls everything. Right now updating or adding one feature may require rewriting software in several different modules.
But only Ford can explain why when they unveiled the latest generation. F150, they promised robust over the air updates that not only improved performance, but added new features.
I remember watching the reveal of the 2021 F150. They made it a big point.
I guess you can say it was their first swing at it so I don’t hold it against him too much… But they really didn’t know what they were doing
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