Fathoms spied testing next-gen BlueCruise by Latitude AI

[Furai]

AI Summary

Overview & Background (00:00 - 01:47)

• Latitude AI History: Latitude AI is Ford’s wholly owned automated driving subsidiary. It was formed out of the talent and intellectual property from Argo AI (a joint venture funded by Ford and VW that shut down in late 2022 when fully autonomous robo-taxis proved too far away to keep funding).
• Shift to In-House ADAS: Legacy automakers are shifting away from third-party supplier dependencies (like Mobileye). Latitude AI is building Ford’s next-generation in-house ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) platform to debut on the Ford Fathom EV.

In-House Hardware & Software Architecture (01:47 - 04:02)

• Current vs. Next-Gen BlueCruise:
  • Current BlueCruise is an SAE Level 2+ hands-off/eyes-on system.
  • The next-gen system will run on Ford’s FNV3.x electrical architecture and Universal EV platform.
  • Ford is designing its own high-performance compute center to handle ADAS, digital cockpit, and infotainment.
  • Apple Maps is supplying road-level mapping data for navigation and autonomous decision-making.
• Target Launch: Debut with the Ford Fathom in 2027, followed by non-EV Ford models.

Analysis of Test Mules & Prototypes (04:02 - 07:56)

• F-150 & Maverick Development Mules: Early testing vehicles in Pittsburgh and California featured:
  • Roof/mast-mounted 360° 32-channel LiDAR (used exclusively for ground-truth data collection and virtual training, not for active driving).
  • GNSS dual-antennas for high-precision satellite positioning.
  • Multiple corner radars, forward windshield cameras, and 3D-printed mirror housings for extra cameras.
• Ford Fathom Prototype Observations:
  • Spotted testing in public (including near Ford HQ in Dearborn).
  • Features front camouflage with a large opening for forward-facing radar and potentially a downward-facing front camera.

LiDAR Debate & Level 3 Autonomy (07:56 - 11:03)

• Will the Fathom Have LiDAR?
  • While competitors like Rivian are introducing LiDAR in future compute architectures, Ford has been non-committal about including production LiDAR on the launch version of the Fathom.
  • The host suggests Ford must launch the Fathom with complete hardware on Day 1 rather than creating "hardware fragmentation" or forced upgrades.
• Autonomy Roadmap:
  • 2027: Launch with Level 2+ functionality (hands-off, eyes-on), improving on current BlueCruise 1.5 capabilities.
  • 2028: Target for Level 3 functionality (hands-off, eyes-off under specific conditions), ideally delivered via an over-the-air (OTA) software update if built-in hardware allows.

Ford Fathom Vehicle Details (11:04 - 12:23)

• Size & Segment: Roughly Maverick-sized (C-segment EV pickup). The host views this compact/midsize EV segment as the "sweet spot" for range, size, and affordability (competing in footprint with vehicles like the Tesla Model Y and Chevy Equinox EV).
• Interior & Performance: Features a large landscape-oriented infotainment screen and strong EV acceleration even in base rear-wheel-drive trims. Built at the Louisville Assembly Plant starting in 2027.

 

[PowerShift]

This video contains some of the best running footage yet of the Fathom and the first good comparison with the Maverick. Conclusion: It's smaller (note quite as tall or wide), which is good in my book.

 

[TNFurb]

Interesting, I don’t think it looks smaller. I think it looks very similar in size.

 

[WXman]

Yesterday there was a video of a couple riding down the interstate in a Tesla and they were both sound asleep with their heads slumped over. Then this morning I wake up to a video of a separate Tesla who had a sleeping "driver" behind the wheel on the highway and it ran head on into a police cruiser which then caused a chain reaction crash injuring at least 2 people. It's starting to make sense now why Tesla leads all brands in vehicle fatality statistics.

I wish Ford would stop wasting billions on technology we do not need. Spend the money on making quality vehicles! Reduce the number of recalls! Do something actually beneficial with the finances.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

Yesterday there was a video of a couple riding down the interstate in a Tesla and they were both sound asleep with their heads slumped over. Then this morning I wake up to a video of a separate Tesla who had a sleeping "driver" behind the wheel on the highway and it ran head on into a police cruiser which then caused a chain reaction crash injuring at least 2 people. It's starting to make sense now why Tesla leads all brands in vehicle fatality statistics.

I wish Ford would stop wasting billions on technology we do not need. Spend the money on making quality vehicles! Reduce the number of recalls! Do something actually beneficial with the finances.

I totally disagree. The sooner we stop humans driving, the better for all of us. Half US court cases involve auto accidents. The stats below are just the US. Imagine what they are worldwide.

When we get to fully automated driving, guess what your insurance bill will be? How does ZERO sound.

I get the impulse behind your post. But it's misguided. Once you see the facts, you'd have to be a misanthrope not to want 100% self driving everywhere, as soon as it's perfected. We're not there yet. But if we don't invest in the tech, we'll never get there. And meanwhile we continue to slaughter our fellow human beings like they're pigs for the dinner table.

 

[bob zimmerman]

Autonomous driving is not something of the future. It is here now. San Fransisco is a good example of the proliferation of autonomous driving. Waymo anyone?

Waymo has a better driving record than a human so that says something. When a Waymo car has an accident it makes the news, but 11 human driven vehicles have an accident and you don’t hear about it.

Bob

 

[Snakebitten]

I both cringe and accept the concept of autonomous driving.

I cringe at the thought of ME not being the pilot of the machine. I have been passionate at being the input since I was a little kid and sat down on a Briggs and Stratton powered 2-wheeler. It literally affected the rest of my life.

Ironically, it's riding on 2-wheels that also convinces me that the roads will be a LOT safer when the occupant(s) in the car beside me is NOT the pilot.

I admit my hypocrisy.

I want to drive.
But I don't want the fella or gal with a smartphone to be driving the vehicles I am sharing the road with.

 

[commadorebob]

As I get older, I find the idea of self-driving cars appealing. Honestly, I just get bored on longer trips. I like that BlueCruise can handle those "zone-out" parts of the interstate.