Android Auto Thursday

[HariK]

Software is very hard. Too bad someone at Lucid didn't realize that 3 or 4 years ago.

Actually Hardware design uses a lot of software too and I worked in the area of chip design. Unlike software which can be released and updated, hardware designers have the pressure to get it right the first time or it is a very expensive disaster to recall and/or liability.

 

[whywar]

I met Amira Aly, Lucid's Head of North America Sales, at a Lucid event in Miami. I asked her directly when is Android Auto coming to the vehicle. Her smile disappeared and in a serious voice she said " Soon, but I have no firm date when it will arrive. I haven't been told by the software team when it will happen." I told her we were lead to believe it would arrive soon, one year ago, based on statement from Lucid execs. She talked around it, pointing out that she has an Android phone and would like to have it for herself, as well. Amira conceded that she has no idea when it will arrive.

 

[ViperSSD]

Are we there yet

 

[gavram]

Another week closer

 

[Snafu]

The Navigation is pretty good most of the time, especially since I can add in Stops to customize my routes (would love to have "Avoid Highways" option). I can finally laugh at the fact that it WILL NOT recognize the town of "Tilton"... it consistently directs me to "Franklin". That's a head-scratcher.

 

[ec256]

Happy Android Auto Thursday!!!!

Confucius say - “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

 

[MoniputerLM]

Happy Android Auto Thursday!!!!

Confucius say - “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

So, is Lucid even working on Android Auto?
My guess is, no.

 

[joec]

Keep the dream alive. Someday it will come. And then you can all complain about the bugs like those of us on CarPlay.

 

[nadecir]

Maybe Lucid trying to get ChatGPT to add Android Auto. They just haven't found the right prompt yet.

Lucid software takes the opposite approach of Tesla and Elon Musk. In the past, Musk has built buzz for Tesla with many statements about upcoming Tesla software releases. He committed to future software functionality additions in the public quite often. He has interacted with Tesla owners on Twitter for all to see, and he even agreed to add functionality based on owner's suggestions.

Some of Musk's statements were just bluster, and many of his promised software additions were delivered late. But Tesla got some press each time Musk promised a new feature, and this helped increase demand for Tesla vehicles.

Lucid makes few, if any, public statements on their upcoming software releases or what they are even working on.

You have to wonder if the Musk way is better from a marketing perspective, especially for a company like Lucid that could really use the buzz and an increase in demand for its products.

 

[xponents]

Maybe Lucid trying to get ChatGPT to add Android Auto. They just haven't found the right prompt yet.

Lucid software takes the opposite approach of Tesla and Elon Musk. In the past, Musk has built buzz for Tesla with many statements about upcoming Tesla software releases. He committed to future software functionality additions in the public quite often. He has interacted with Tesla owners on Twitter for all to see, and he even agreed to add functionality based on owner's suggestions.

Some of Musk's statements were just bluster, and many of his promised software additions were delivered late. But Tesla got some press each time Musk promised a new feature, and this helped increase demand for Tesla vehicles.

Lucid makes few, if any, public statements on their upcoming software releases or what they are even working on.

You have to wonder if the Musk way is better from a marketing perspective, especially for a company like Lucid that could really use the buzz and an increase in demand for its products.

I mean, you do have a point. I and im sure many others would agree that lucid needs to step up their marketing, just not "elon musk" social media marketing.

 

[borski]

Maybe Lucid trying to get ChatGPT to add Android Auto. They just haven't found the right prompt yet.

Lucid software takes the opposite approach of Tesla and Elon Musk. In the past, Musk has built buzz for Tesla with many statements about upcoming Tesla software releases. He committed to future software functionality additions in the public quite often. He has interacted with Tesla owners on Twitter for all to see, and he even agreed to add functionality based on owner's suggestions.

Some of Musk's statements were just bluster, and many of his promised software additions were delivered late. But Tesla got some press each time Musk promised a new feature, and this helped increase demand for Tesla vehicles.

Lucid makes few, if any, public statements on their upcoming software releases or what they are even working on.

You have to wonder if the Musk way is better from a marketing perspective, especially for a company like Lucid that could really use the buzz and an increase in demand for its products.

There’s definitely a significant amount of “in between” and I’d prefer Lucid fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. Definitely don’t want them on the Elon extreme, but I agree they’re presently a bit too reserved.

 

[emoylv]

My two cents. Do I think Lucid is working on AA? No. I disagree with those who say this software is hard. That's probably true with the first car company that developed AA; after that, it's just reverse engineering (aka "stealing") by other companies. Remember the 18% cut in staff? I believe that impacted the development of AA for the car. Is AA a top priority? Not to me (I'm an Android user) and apparently not to Lucid. I noticed a few months ago that Lucid was hiring s/w specialists for autonomous (read DDPro). I believe that's where Lucid is prioritizing their resources. Again, just my two cents.

 

[nadecir]

Traditional marketing costs cash, and Lucid needs to be conservative with its cash outlays. So you can understand the lack of traditional marketing. What Musk did was build a buzz for Tesla without spending a lot of money. And it worked for Tesla.

At this point, many of us would prefer Lucid be "Elon extreme" versus what Lucid is presently doing with their future plans.

In terms of what Lucid development is doing now, who knows? There aren't even any well-placed marketing leaks on Lucid future software plans.

You would think Android Auto would be a good feature to help drive vehicle sales outside the US, but maybe Lucid has decided to focus on their native UI going forward.

 

[gregshap]

Isn't time they put Android Auto into their Android OS in Lucids?

Yes, I think so too.

 

[borski]

Do I think Lucid is working on AA? No. I disagree with those who say this software is hard. That's probably true with the first car company that developed AA; after that, it's just reverse engineering (aka "stealing") by other companies.

With all due respect, what you wrote is complete nonsense. Not a single company makes their Android Auto implementation open source, so you cannot simply “steal” it. Reverse engineering it would be absurd, since it would take twice the time to implement it anyway, and it’s not like there is any “secret sauce” that RE’ing would make available.

The APIs are available, and it’s definitely buildable; but it is made no easier by other companies having implemented it previously.

I have 27 years of experience writing software. You’re wrong, unequivocally.

 

[ViperSSD]

Are we there yet?

 

[borski]

This is being discussed elsewhere on the forum. Please use the search function. There is already an AA megathread. Closing this to keep the forum tidy.

 

[efesese]

It’s been over 3 weeks since last update, maybe it’s because they’re working on Android auto (or UX 3.0!)

 

[Bobby]

I met Amira Aly, Lucid's Head of North America Sales, at a Lucid event in Miami. I asked her directly when is Android Auto coming to the vehicle. Her smile disappeared and in a serious voice she said " Soon, but I have no firm date when it will arrive. I haven't been told by the software team when it will happen." I told her we were lead to believe it would arrive soon, one year ago, based on statement from Lucid execs. She talked around it, pointing out that she has an Android phone and would like to have it for herself, as well. Amira conceded that she has no idea when it will arrive.

Even if she absolutely knew the release date, there’s no way she would make it public. Lucid is notoriously tightlipped about things like this.

 

[emoylv]

With all due respect, what you wrote is complete nonsense. Not a single company makes their Android Auto implementation open source, so you cannot simply “steal” it. Reverse engineering it would be absurd, since it would take twice the time to implement it anyway, and it’s not like there is any “secret sauce” that RE’ing would make available.

The APIs are available, and it’s definitely buildable; but it is made no easier by other companies having implemented it previously.

I have 27 years of experience writing software. You’re wrong, unequivocally.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I had the opportunity to visit my daughter when she worked as a design engineer for Daimler-Chrysler. I received permission to visit her workstation. Lo and behold, they had a Toyota completely torn apart. I asked what's a Toyota doing in a DC building. She said Toyota's gas tank was 0.5 lbs lighter than DC's and they wanted to know why.

I believe the hallmark of a successful company is knowing what their competitors are doing, so I have to believe that Lucid has several (not all) of their competitors' or recognized leaders' products under investigation/analysis (aka torn apart). How successful these forays are is anyone's guess but I believe that shortens the learning curve. Again, just my two cents.