Lucid Gravity update 3.3.5 + fob update

[Ron_Burgundy]

I am still on the wait list and honestly have reservations about Lucid’s and the gravity, this right here is a big one. I have had new build houses that I purchased and if the keys/locks didn’t work I would never, ever make excuses well it’s a new house, this is the first time they made it, there is always a teething process with a new builder. Maybe I am a huge A hole compared to all you because I expect basic functionality in a product that I buy and reliably turning it on and off is that. This is complete clusterf*** and this should have been QC detected and fixed before 1 car was delivered. You all are Lucid’s customers, but also ambassadors because of how helpful you are to helping the public eat large be better educated about lucid. I am upset that Lucid isn’t doing something nice for all the gravity owners to date because of this issue like give each and every one of the customers a freebie from there shop as a make nice gesture. Yes complex software has bugs, but not being able to start your car isn’t a bug, it is more like a fatal error and it is a QC and product failure, especially from my limited understanding that lucid had a similar issue with the launch of the air too! I know that move fast and break things is the entrepreneurial tech approach, but I don’t think they should get a free pass when things go sideways either, like this. Just my $0.02.

You can always wait. Very, very few people have been legit stranded. Is the fob thing annoying, yes? But I’ve been away on business for two days and am SO looking forward to getting back into my gravity. It’s THAT good to drive and I am sure, annoying as it is, they’ll fix the fob issues. They’re 100% on it and way more responsive than Tesla and Rivian were with early model bugs.

 

[TahoeMichael]

I am still on the wait list and honestly have reservations about Lucid’s and the gravity, this right here is a big one. I have had new build houses that I purchased and if the keys/locks didn’t work I would never, ever make excuses well it’s a new house, this is the first time they made it, there is always a teething process with a new builder. Maybe I am a huge A hole compared to all you because I expect basic functionality in a product that I buy and reliably turning it on and off is that. This is complete clusterf*** and this should have been QC detected and fixed before 1 car was delivered. You all are Lucid’s customers, but also ambassadors because of how helpful you are to helping the public eat large be better educated about lucid. I am upset that Lucid isn’t doing something nice for all the gravity owners to date because of this issue like give each and every one of the customers a freebie from there shop as a make nice gesture. Yes complex software has bugs, but not being able to start your car isn’t a bug, it is more like a fatal error and it is a QC and product failure, especially from my limited understanding that lucid had a similar issue with the launch of the air too! I know that move fast and break things is the entrepreneurial tech approach, but I don’t think they should get a free pass when things go sideways either, like this. Just my $0.02.

I wouldn't say the community here has been all the accepting of the glitches. There's multiple long comment threads filled with complaints.

 

[Xminus6]

I am still on the wait list and honestly have reservations about Lucid’s and the gravity, this right here is a big one. I have had new build houses that I purchased and if the keys/locks didn’t work I would never, ever make excuses well it’s a new house, this is the first time they made it, there is always a teething process with a new builder. Maybe I am a huge A hole compared to all you because I expect basic functionality in a product that I buy and reliably turning it on and off is that. This is complete clusterf*** and this should have been QC detected and fixed before 1 car was delivered. You all are Lucid’s customers, but also ambassadors because of how helpful you are to helping the public eat large be better educated about lucid. I am upset that Lucid isn’t doing something nice for all the gravity owners to date because of this issue like give each and every one of the customers a freebie from there shop as a make nice gesture. Yes complex software has bugs, but not being able to start your car isn’t a bug, it is more like a fatal error and it is a QC and product failure, especially from my limited understanding that lucid had a similar issue with the launch of the air too! I know that move fast and break things is the entrepreneurial tech approach, but I don’t think they should get a free pass when things go sideways either, like this. Just my $0.02.

That’s a perfectly reasonable approach. It’s annoying and I’m getting annoyed. But when I tell you it’s one of the best-driving cars I’ve ever driven I’m being serious. I’ve owned a few nice cars and sporty cars and crossovers.

When Jason Cammisa questions whether or not the Gravity makes the concept of a sports car (or having a “fun” car) nearly obsolete, he’s right. The CAR part of this car is amazing. The software right now blows. One can be readily updated and one cannot.

If they can fix these issues the Gravity is the platonic ideal of a family and utility car for me. So it’s a bit of a roll of the dice but I really didn’t want to have a Rivian R1S after my test drive.

 

[zoomzoom]

I am taking delivery next week. Is it safe to assume both of these updates will be completed without my asking and before me taking the vehicle? I of course will ask that day

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

I am taking delivery next week. Is it safe to assume both of these updates will be completed without my asking and before me taking the vehicle? I of course will ask that day

No. You need to ask before and at delivery.

 

[archon810]

I am taking delivery next week. Is it safe to assume both of these updates will be completed without my asking and before me taking the vehicle? I of course will ask that day

It's definitely not safe. You should ask and make sure, especially about the fob firmware since it requires a service or mobile visit and you can't see its version number.

 

[hmp10]

This is complete clusterf*** and this should have been QC detected and fixed before 1 car was delivered.

My head is bleeding from scratching it over how an organization that engineers the finest-driving and most comfortable vehicles of the many premium sedans and sports car I've owned could have walked back into the same pool of quicksand they first fell into with the Air over key fob / entry issues.

I spent a good part of my career dealing with organizational design and cross-functional dynamics, and I hope I live to see light finally shed on the great mystery of how and why one of the best engineering teams in the industry and a company trying to build a reputation as a luxury brand could let this happen. Twice.

 

[Ironhorse]

My hypothesis is that this is more an underlying Car OS related issue. The operating system for the car (separate from the android based entertainment system) is always looking for the FOB signal via bluetooth or some RF signal (?). Perhaps that piece of software is new and still not fully baked in.

In my mind this FOB issue is separate from the entertainment system delayed waking up (all the bells and whistles). The hardware is clearly capable - they need to reduce the "bloat" to make it work smoothly.

Cant wait for 3.3.5 + fob update.

 

[hank-iv]

My head is bleeding from scratching it over how an organization that engineers the finest-driving and most comfortable vehicles of the many premium sedans and sports car I've owned could have walked back into the same pool of quicksand they first fell into with the Air over key fob / entry issues.

I spent a good part of my career dealing with organizational design and cross-functional dynamics, and I hope I live to see light finally shed on the great mystery of how and why one of the best engineering teams in the industry and a company trying to build a reputation as a luxury brand could let this happen. Twice.

Perhaps this is why there is an interim CEO....

 

[ChestRockwell]

You can always wait. Very, very few people have been legit stranded. Is the fob thing annoying, yes? But I’ve been away on business for two days and am SO looking forward to getting back into my gravity. It’s THAT good to drive and I am sure, annoying as it is, they’ll fix the fob issues. They’re 100% on it and way more responsive than Tesla and Rivian were with early model bugs.

I will echo Mr Burgundy. I was on this forum 5-6 times a day BEFORE delivery, obsessed over ever post. The reality is the forum will always be the vocal minority (good and bad).


Many more of us are just out on the road grinning and driving. I have had extremely minor software glitches but otherwise am absolutely thrilled. It's the first model of a new car, it was always gonna be a dice roll. For me, worth the risk. No regrets, even with minor issues here and there.

If you ain't up for it go get a Macan or whatever

 

[ChestRockwell]

My head is bleeding from scratching it over how an organization that engineers the finest-driving and most comfortable vehicles of the many premium sedans and sports car I've owned could have walked back into the same pool of quicksand they first fell into with the Air over key fob / entry issues.

I spent a good part of my career dealing with organizational design and cross-functional dynamics, and I hope I live to see light finally shed on the great mystery of how and why one of the best engineering teams in the industry and a company trying to build a reputation as a luxury brand could let this happen. Twice.

From the ppl I talk to- the thinking is PAAK fixes all of this. I came from a model y and am annoyed I even have to carry a fob. Paak is the answer and it should be out soon.

 

[archon810]

Paak is the answer and it should be out soon.

Where soon is likely months, if not into next year, especially Android. iOS Digital Key will be first.

 

[allenmhc]

My head is bleeding from scratching it over how an organization that engineers the finest-driving and most comfortable vehicles of the many premium sedans and sports car I've owned could have walked back into the same pool of quicksand they first fell into with the Air over key fob / entry issues.

I spent a good part of my career dealing with organizational design and cross-functional dynamics, and I hope I live to see light finally shed on the great mystery of how and why one of the best engineering teams in the industry and a company trying to build a reputation as a luxury brand could let this happen. Twice.

So I've been in the software industry for over 2 decades, and over a decade of running software engineering teams.

Coincidentally, in my current job, I ended up inheriting an organization that was founded by a hardware engineer—someone who ran teams at Jawbone before that company folded.

So I can say with some authority that software and hardware engineering are related, but different disciplines. When you watch the Lucid team go through some of their simulations to mold the body and apply automotive/hardware engineering (I'm mostly referring to this:

), it's a very different process from developing the software—both the mobile app and Android-based infotainment system, but also the real-time OS and software needed to operate the car (and I suspect where all these notifications are popping up from). I can totally believe that their hardware teams are top-notch and have done all the designs, simulations, and manufacturing to make the car itself rock solid, and the software teams lagging in a bit due to inattention and operating as if they were a hardware team.

 

[tomclaussen]

Concur whole completely with allenmhc! Perhaps its time for Lucid to provide some Gravities to the software ream- have them experience their software firsthand.

 

[hmp10]

I will echo Mr Burgundy. I was on this forum 5-6 times a day BEFORE delivery, obsessed over ever post. The reality is the forum will always be the vocal minority (good and bad).


Many more of us are just out on the road grinning and driving. I have had extremely minor software glitches but otherwise am absolutely thrilled. It's the first model of a new car, it was always gonna be a dice roll. For me, worth the risk. No regrets, even with minor issues here and there.

If you ain't up for it go get a Macan or whatever

Well, it's a damn shame for Lucid that among this "vocal minority" are auto journalists who are having problems with entering and starting the car and are beginning to write about it in venues with larger audiences than this forum.

 

[gaskiller]

I hope this fixes all of the issues that make the Gravity a nearly unviable car right now. I have gotten black screens several times now and having to walk away from your car for several minutes to be able to drive it is a bit ridiculous. I was in a parking lot and someone was waiting to take my spot but I had to act like I was getting out of my car to take a phone call since I couldn’t move the car at all.

That and my backup and surround cameras not working at all are really annoying. I’ll deal with the other QOL software glitches until they’re fixed. But not being able to reliably get into my car and drive somewhere is really annoying.

Also, anyone else getting the inability to shift into Reverse only? I’ve had that happen three times now. I can shift into drive and Neutral but it won’t shift into Reverse without several tries (around 15 - 20). I’m now forced to back into parking spaces because of it, which isn’t great because I have no parking assist cameras anymore.

CEO needs to get software fixed, should be the priority…..and they delayed the gravity 6 months. Thought they were working on perfection.

 

[coma24]

My head is bleeding from scratching it over how an organization that engineers the finest-driving and most comfortable vehicles of the many premium sedans and sports car I've owned could have walked back into the same pool of quicksand they first fell into with the Air over key fob / entry issues.

I spent a good part of my career dealing with organizational design and cross-functional dynamics, and I hope I live to see light finally shed on the great mystery of how and why one of the best engineering teams in the industry and a company trying to build a reputation as a luxury brand could let this happen. Twice.

I am not in the market for Gravity, the Air meets my needs, so I have no dog in the fight....but as I was debugging my home charging issues (the same slowdown from 18-19kw to 8kw that a lot of ppl are experiencing with the home charger and the Air), I found myself thinking about all the threads regarding the fob, and now the upgrade which requires an in-person visit to the SC. On the one hand, I'm happy that they appear to have a fix...but, like you, I absolutely do not understand why this was allowed to happen after the debacle with the Air.

Something is amiss somewhere either in the construction or the execution of test plans during the hardware/software testing process. Given how much focus there was going to be on this aspect of the vehicle, I find myself feeling pretty deflated about the company that this could happen again, and it reduces my confidence about their execution....and I absolutely love the company and their vision. It's hard to maintain that enthusiasm in seeing the litany of fob issues. Perhaps they're a vocal minority...but the fact that it happens at all to literally more than a handful of people IS a problem for such a fundamental part of operating the car. It feels very much like it's Air 1.x all over again (which I wasn't even around for, but tracked the developments over time before becoming an owner after the 2.x transition).

The one saving grace is they're still pumping out software updates, which gives me hope that it's receiving attention. I just hope it's 100% fixable. If not, then why pick an approach or hardware solution that is not capable of delivering the required functionality 100% of the time?

 

[archon810]

The software team is spread thin having to maintain 4-5 separate platforms right now (two for Air, 2 for Gravity, and also working on the mid-size SUV). They need to hire more smart people and unify the code bases yesterday.

 

[Bdr100]

That’s a perfectly reasonable approach. It’s annoying and I’m getting annoyed. But when I tell you it’s one of the best-driving cars I’ve ever driven I’m being serious. I’ve owned a few nice cars and sporty cars and crossovers.

When Jason Cammisa questions whether or not the Gravity makes the concept of a sports car (or having a “fun” car) nearly obsolete, he’s right. The CAR part of this car is amazing. The software right now blows. One can be readily updated and one cannot.

If they can fix these issues the Gravity is the platonic ideal of a family and utility car for me. So it’s a bit of a roll of the dice but I really didn’t want to have a Rivian R1S after my test drive.

That comment may pass muster if we were talking about a Ferrari or other exotic - They are toys, designed to excite you in special circumstances. People buying these toys are willing to deal with reliability issues because of their unique driving experience and because they are not needed as an everyday transport. But the Gravity is not a “Toy” but rather a “Tool” that people need to be able to rely on to do important things like drive to work, take kids to school, go on family vacation, drive someone to the emergency room. The great driving dynamics are (for most people) not the prime reason people are buying the Gravity. They are buying it because it is (hopefully) a great TOOL that comes with the added benefit of great driving dynamics.

 

[9point81]

The software team is spread thin having to maintain 4-5 separate platforms right now (two for Air, 2 for Gravity, and also working on the mid-size SUV). They need to hire more smart people and unify the code bases yesterday.

I hope they are also focusing on their Cybersecurity requirements as well. Given the issues the software has and rumoredly has (memory leaks maybe?) I am loathe to think about what exploits may exist on this platform...