Had My First "Lucid Moment" (Locked Valet in Car on Hot Day)

[EnBee]

Background: I usually use my phone as my key and carry the card in my wallet as a "just-in-case" (never had to use it). Phone app has been generally flawless as long as I remember to unlock my phone on approach to the car or find something to pretend to look at while standing around next to my car for 10-30 seconds waiting for it to notice me.

It has been unseasonably warm here, in the 80's. Went to meet some friends at a hotel restaurant and self-parking was full, so I decided to use the valet. Explained how to lock/unlock with the key card, and showed them how to hold it up by the microphone to drive. Couldn't remember my PIN at the moment, as I don't usually use it. Handed over the key card and went inside.

About 20 minutes later, the parking manager found me with my group and let me know that the valet had gotten trapped in the car with no A/C and was blocking the front portico. By the time I got there, the poor (sweaty) valet had gotten out--I guess he managed to pull back on the interior handle far enough to manually unlatch the door.

What I think happened was, he got in to the car as I was walking away with my phone, which triggered the car to lock with him in it. There is no way to wake the car up with someone inside it, which seems like a bit of a problem.

Furthermore, when they went to retrieve the car after I fell all over myself apologizing, they were unable to bypass the PIN screen to enter drive mode by holding the card up to the microphone. After a big fat tip, once I got it home, I did some experimenting. Holding the prox card up to the microphone seems to take a variable time to activate, and there is no visual confirmation that you have done it correctly when it does work. It's possibly that it just periodically "checks" if there is a prox card there every 10 seconds or so, meaning you may need to keep it positioned correctly for an inordinately long period of time with no indication when it has been validated. I'm guessing this is a feature they never really got to work properly, which is why it is essentially undocumented.

I do wish Lucid had done the following:
-Allow someone stuck in the car to wake it up when it is asleep, or provide a pictographic illustration for how to open the door manually when powered down
-Allow you to set a "valet" PIN that is easy to remember and communicate and separate from your own PIN, or have some way to put the car in "valet mode" (speed/power limited, to access to trunk or glovebox)
-Made a key fob/entry system that didn't eat batteries every 2 months so that you feel comfortable actually carrying it around with you

 

[mlaviano]

You should specify that you have a Lucid Air. The Gravity doesn't have "phone-as-key" yet.

 

[RajD]

Background: I usually use my phone as my key and carry the card in my wallet as a "just-in-case" (never had to use it). Phone app has been generally flawless as long as I remember to unlock my phone on approach to the car or find something to pretend to look at while standing around next to my car for 10-30 seconds waiting for it to notice me.

It has been unseasonably warm here, in the 80's. Went to meet some friends at a hotel restaurant and self-parking was full, so I decided to use the valet. Explained how to lock/unlock with the key card, and showed them how to hold it up by the microphone to drive. Couldn't remember my PIN at the moment, as I don't usually use it. Handed over the key card and went inside.

About 20 minutes later, the parking manager found me with my group and let me know that the valet had gotten trapped in the car with no A/C and was blocking the front portico. By the time I got there, the poor (sweaty) valet had gotten out--I guess he managed to pull back on the interior handle far enough to manually unlatch the door.

What I think happened was, he got in to the car as I was walking away with my phone, which triggered the car to lock with him in it. There is no way to wake the car up with someone inside it, which seems like a bit of a problem.

Furthermore, when they went to retrieve the car after I fell all over myself apologizing, they were unable to bypass the PIN screen to enter drive mode by holding the card up to the microphone. After a big fat tip, once I got it home, I did some experimenting. Holding the prox card up to the microphone seems to take a variable time to activate, and there is no visual confirmation that you have done it correctly when it does work. It's possibly that it just periodically "checks" if there is a prox card there every 10 seconds or so, meaning you may need to keep it positioned correctly for an inordinately long period of time with no indication when it has been validated. I'm guessing this is a feature they never really got to work properly, which is why it is essentially undocumented.

I do wish Lucid had done the following:
-Allow someone stuck in the car to wake it up when it is asleep, or provide a pictographic illustration for how to open the door manually when powered down
-Allow you to set a "valet" PIN that is easy to remember and communicate and separate from your own PIN, or have some way to put the car in "valet mode" (speed/power limited, to access to trunk or glovebox)
-Made a key fob/entry system that didn't eat batteries every 2 months so that you feel comfortable actually carrying it around with you

Yikes. Sorry to hear this and sorry for the valet! Is this an Air ? Wondering if this could be true for both Air and Gravity in terms of key card risk.

 

[socktucker]

Amateurs

 

[debsen63]

Background: I usually use my phone as my key and carry the card in my wallet as a "just-in-case" (never had to use it). Phone app has been generally flawless as long as I remember to unlock my phone on approach to the car or find something to pretend to look at while standing around next to my car for 10-30 seconds waiting for it to notice me.

It has been unseasonably warm here, in the 80's. Went to meet some friends at a hotel restaurant and self-parking was full, so I decided to use the valet. Explained how to lock/unlock with the key card, and showed them how to hold it up by the microphone to drive. Couldn't remember my PIN at the moment, as I don't usually use it. Handed over the key card and went inside.

About 20 minutes later, the parking manager found me with my group and let me know that the valet had gotten trapped in the car with no A/C and was blocking the front portico. By the time I got there, the poor (sweaty) valet had gotten out--I guess he managed to pull back on the interior handle far enough to manually unlatch the door.

What I think happened was, he got in to the car as I was walking away with my phone, which triggered the car to lock with him in it. There is no way to wake the car up with someone inside it, which seems like a bit of a problem.

Furthermore, when they went to retrieve the car after I fell all over myself apologizing, they were unable to bypass the PIN screen to enter drive mode by holding the card up to the microphone. After a big fat tip, once I got it home, I did some experimenting. Holding the prox card up to the microphone seems to take a variable time to activate, and there is no visual confirmation that you have done it correctly when it does work. It's possibly that it just periodically "checks" if there is a prox card there every 10 seconds or so, meaning you may need to keep it positioned correctly for an inordinately long period of time with no indication when it has been validated. I'm guessing this is a feature they never really got to work properly, which is why it is essentially undocumented.

I do wish Lucid had done the following:
-Allow someone stuck in the car to wake it up when it is asleep, or provide a pictographic illustration for how to open the door manually when powered down
-Allow you to set a "valet" PIN that is easy to remember and communicate and separate from your own PIN, or have some way to put the car in "valet mode" (speed/power limited, to access to trunk or glovebox)
-Made a key fob/entry system that didn't eat batteries every 2 months so that you feel comfortable actually carrying it around with you

One of the most unfortunate innovations in things that we touch and feel and use in our daily lives. This thing about trying to be cute and lock and unlock as we walk away or approach the car has necessitated all kinds of other designs that has undermined people's confidence. My wife is just terrified about the prospect of not being able to get back in the car. When the fob runs out of battery every two weeks (even not being used), or when the app takes forever to unlock, or when three times it has absolutely refused to open ... asking her to carry and trust the "card" is a step too far.

It is remarkable how important it is for the 'first experience' (such as unlocking the door and get behind the wheel of the car) is so crucial in building confidence. If that doesn't work once, you are done.

 

[Mr.Quindazzi]

Very sorry this happened to you.

My 2016 Jetta has required I replace the key fob battery twice since I've owned it. When I want to lock the car, I press a button on the fob. When I want to unlock the car, I press the other button. If the fob or 12V battery goes dead, I have a key that opens the door. Opening the hood or trunk requires 0 electronics
To turn the car on, I have the key with me and press the interior button that says on/off. To shut the car off I press the interior button that says on/off. If the fob goes dead, I can hold it close to the column and the car starts.
No one has ever been locked in it (or thought they were).
I would choose that system 10 times out of 10 over what Lucid currently offers.

The Jetta is an entry level car that I bought for $14K less than a year old.

My Lucid; however, has 819HP with fabulous ride comfort and handling. It also has a lovely interior and looks awesome. It's very quiet. I really, really like it and will probably keep it for 10 years unless I can wrangle a way to get a Sapphire.

 

[Mr.Quindazzi]

One of the most unfortunate innovations in things that we touch and feel and use in our daily lives. This thing about trying to be cute and lock and unlock as we walk away or approach the car has necessitated all kinds of other designs that has undermined people's confidence. My wife is just terrified about the prospect of not being able to get back in the car. When the fob runs out of battery every two weeks (even not being used), or when the app takes forever to unlock, or when three times it has absolutely refused to open ... asking her to carry and trust the "card" is a step too far.

It is remarkable how important it is for the 'first experience' (such as unlocking the door and get behind the wheel of the car) is so crucial in building confidence. If that doesn't work once, you are done.

This is spot on.
How many cars hasn't Lucid sold because people read about all these software bugs?

 

[EnBee]

Very sorry this happened to you.

My 2016 Jetta has required I replace the key fob battery twice since I've owned it. When I want to lock the car, I press a button on the fob. When I want to unlock the car, I press the other button. If the fob or 12V battery goes dead, I have a key that opens the door. Opening the hood or trunk requires 0 electronics
To turn the car on, I have the key with me and press the interior button that says on/off. To shut the car off I press the interior button that says on/off. If the fob goes dead, I can hold it close to the column and the car starts.
No one has ever been locked in it (or thought they were).
I would choose that system 10 times out of 10 over what Lucid currently offers.

The Jetta is an entry level car that I bought for $14K less than a year old.

My Lucid; however, has 819HP with fabulous ride comfort and handling. It also has a lovely interior and looks awesome. It's very quiet. I really, really like it and will probably keep it for 10 years unless I can wrangle a way to get a Sapphire.

I agree with you 100%! Love, love, love to drive the car; most of the user interface and tech needs to be fired into the sun. For starters, I would like to be able to change the radio station or switch audio inputs without risking my life. I have "Dream Drive Poverty" (as someone here once put it) and I guess the infotainment interface might make sense for a self driving car, but some of the choices they made are just baffling if you assume there is supposed to be a human paying attention behind the wheel.

 

[socktucker]

"Dream Drive Poverty" (as someone here once put it)

 

[borski]

This thing about trying to be cute and lock and unlock as we walk away or approach the car has necessitated all kinds of other designs that has undermined people's confidence. My wife is just terrified about the prospect of not being able to get back in the car.

If this is a concern for you, just turn off the passive lock/unlock.

When the fob runs out of battery every two weeks (even not being used), or when the app takes forever to unlock, or when three times it has absolutely refused to open ... asking her to carry and trust the "card" is a step too far.

You don’t need to carry the card. The fob works fine via NFC even with a completely dead battery (or no battery at all).

The valet issue is separate, because they shouldn’t be expected to know how to use the vehicle.

 

[borski]

When I want to lock the car, I press a button on the fob. When I want to unlock the car, I press the other button.

If you turn off passive lock/unlock, this is the same experience with the Air.

If the fob goes dead, I can hold it close to the column and the car starts.

This is also the case with Air.

 

[Pragmatic]

I have passive unlock and lock turned off on my Air. Walk up press door handle I'm in. Did this due to issues with the passive lock/unlock. On my 20 year old Chevrolet I have passive lock/unlock turned on. On that car it just works (even with 5 year old batteries).

 

[debsen63]

With all due respect, these suggestions remind me of Windows users, Blackberry users, and Jaguar drivers. The expectation is to be a hacker, a fixer, or a mechanic to run these things. If this is where Lucid wants to go, fine. What I am saying is that it will leave 50% of the population (and much more) out in the cold.

But I appreciate your feedback.

 

[debsen63]

Does any one know if Lucid plans to add Apple Wallet Keys?

 

[knewman]

What I think happened was, he got in to the car as I was walking away with my phone, which triggered the car to lock with him in it. There is no way to wake the car up with someone inside it, which seems like a bit of a problem.

I've experienced this a few times, sitting in the car and it loses connection to my mobile (I guess?) and suddenly I'm sitting in a blacked out car.

This whole keyless entry situation is the number one reason I can't recommend this car to "normals." I'm willing to wrestle with it and feel like a doofus waiting for the car to acknowledge me but theres no way the average consumer is going to put up with it. It's baffling to me that they didn't completely resolve these issues with Gravity.

You should specify that you have a Lucid Air. The Gravity doesn't have "phone-as-key" yet.

This is posted in the Air section of the forum, but fair point.

 

[knewman]

Does any one know if Lucid plans to add Apple Wallet Keys?

This is on the roadmap for Gravity, but the Air does not have the hardware to support Apple's UWB protocol. I'm not super familiar with Apple's system, there may be a Bluetooth fallback option that would be compatible with Air but I doubt it would be functionally different to what we have now.

 

[Bobby]

Background: I usually use my phone as my key and carry the card in my wallet as a "just-in-case" (never had to use it). Phone app has been generally flawless as long as I remember to unlock my phone on approach to the car or find something to pretend to look at while standing around next to my car for 10-30 seconds waiting for it to notice me.

It has been unseasonably warm here, in the 80's. Went to meet some friends at a hotel restaurant and self-parking was full, so I decided to use the valet. Explained how to lock/unlock with the key card, and showed them how to hold it up by the microphone to drive. Couldn't remember my PIN at the moment, as I don't usually use it. Handed over the key card and went inside.

About 20 minutes later, the parking manager found me with my group and let me know that the valet had gotten trapped in the car with no A/C and was blocking the front portico. By the time I got there, the poor (sweaty) valet had gotten out--I guess he managed to pull back on the interior handle far enough to manually unlatch the door.

What I think happened was, he got in to the car as I was walking away with my phone, which triggered the car to lock with him in it. There is no way to wake the car up with someone inside it, which seems like a bit of a problem.

Furthermore, when they went to retrieve the car after I fell all over myself apologizing, they were unable to bypass the PIN screen to enter drive mode by holding the card up to the microphone. After a big fat tip, once I got it home, I did some experimenting. Holding the prox card up to the microphone seems to take a variable time to activate, and there is no visual confirmation that you have done it correctly when it does work. It's possibly that it just periodically "checks" if there is a prox card there every 10 seconds or so, meaning you may need to keep it positioned correctly for an inordinately long period of time with no indication when it has been validated. I'm guessing this is a feature they never really got to work properly, which is why it is essentially undocumented.

I do wish Lucid had done the following:
-Allow someone stuck in the car to wake it up when it is asleep, or provide a pictographic illustration for how to open the door manually when powered down
-Allow you to set a "valet" PIN that is easy to remember and communicate and separate from your own PIN, or have some way to put the car in "valet mode" (speed/power limited, to access to trunk or glovebox)
-Made a key fob/entry system that didn't eat batteries every 2 months so that you feel comfortable actually carrying it around with you

Consider leaving a fob in your car with the battery out. Then if you go to a valet unexpectedly, you can pop the battery in and use the fob instead of trying to explain how to use the key card.

 

[borski]

With all due respect, these suggestions remind me of Windows users, Blackberry users, and Jaguar drivers. The expectation is to be a hacker, a fixer, or a mechanic to run these things. If this is where Lucid wants to go, fine. What I am saying is that it will leave 50% of the population (and much more) out in the cold.

But I appreciate your feedback.

I am suggesting you turn off a couple settings so you can adjust the behavior to your liking.

You don’t need to be a hacker, mechanic, or “fixer” to turn off a couple settings through the user interface of the car.