Fathom Will Get More Frequent OTA Over-The-Air Updates (Like Tesla and Rivian)

[onuiebvbevnulib]

Ford Fathom Pickup Will Get More Frequent Over-The-Air Updates

Back in February of this year, Charles Poon, Ford's vice president for vehicle hardware, said that the forthcoming Ford Fathom EV pickup will receive frequent over-the-air (OTA) updates, much the same way EV-only automakers like Tesla and Rivian do things.

"And what's great for the customer, from their perspective, what they're going to get, a lot more frequent OTAs, a lot more features in general because it's easier for us to do this instead of having to coordinate across a bunch of disparate organizations

The benefits of OTA updates include the ability to quickly fix software bugs and even add new features without having to take a vehicle to the dealership.

Since the Fathom is a true, software-defined vehicle with software that was developed entirely in-house - unlike FoMoCo's first-generation EVs, this means that pushing an update to those models won't require any sort of direct communication with multiple suppliers, which is currently the case.

 

[commadorebob]

We shall see. Our Expedition gets OTA updates but went several months without any. Now, we end up with several updates over a few weeks. Though we are still waiting on BlueCruise 1.5. In fact, it seems that getting any BlueCruise feature update via OTA is the exception rather than the rule. So, other than some bug fixes and an infotainment update, I don't see the benefit at the moment. I would be nice if Ford provided some sort of roadmap.

 

[onuiebvbevnulib]

We shall see. Our Expedition gets OTA updates but went several months without any. Now, we end up with several updates over a few weeks. Though we are still waiting on BlueCruise 1.5. In fact, it seems that getting any BlueCruise feature update via OTA is the exception rather than the rule. So, other than some bug fixes and an infotainment update, I don't see the benefit at the moment. I would be nice if Ford provided some sort of roadmap.

The Expedition is not a true, software-defined vehicle with software that was developed entirely in-house. Many of the systems on the Expedition will require direct communication with multiple suppliers thus either slow updates (and maybe a visit to the dealership) or no update at all.

Since the Fathom is a true, software-defined vehicle with software that was developed entirely in-house - unlike FoMoCo's first-generation EVs, this means that pushing an update to those models won't require any sort of direct communication with multiple suppliers, which is currently the case.

 

[WXman]

OTA update means something needs to be fixed or improved. If there are lots of OTA updates that therefore means the vehicle wasn't polished and ready when I bought it. I don't view "more frequent OTA updates" as a positive. I just want a good, reliable vehicle.

 

[Lytning]

Maybe Ford could first demonstrate this concept on the Ford Lightning BEV trucks. Or, it may just be a marketing play on words. My issue with Ford and my Lightning is not in receiving OTA updates, it is in completing OTA updates.

 

[paneubert]

OTA update means something needs to be fixed or improved. If there are lots of OTA updates that therefore means the vehicle wasn't polished and ready when I bought it. I don't view "more frequent OTA updates" as a positive. I just want a good, reliable vehicle.

I would rather have a ton of OTA in my driveway versus a stop sale order that prevents me from even driving it off the dealer lot. Ha! Some folks have been in that rough spot with the Maverick. Sometimes travel far to pick up and then can't....due to a sudden stop sale.