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Lucid AI Demo

from the article:

"Over the next few years, Lucid will sell far more than just cars. “Software as a service” is a large part of the company’s roadmap to profitability, and subscriptions sold to its customer base will likely account for around half of the company’s income eventually.

Self-driving systems are probably the biggest part of this strategy, and customers will pay different amounts depending on the level they choose. From the high $60s to just under $200 per month, as things stand, for level 2++ to level 4 systems.

The AI assistant will also be subscription-based rather than a one-time purchase. But it’s unlikely to be standalone. When asked, Flint insinuated it would be part of a package, likely a connectivity-based one, which makes sense. So if you want an AI assistant that can manage your life as you drive, and help curb your vices, you’ll also need to pay for in-vehicle WI-FI and a few other connectivity-centered features."

Huh, I thought some of us already paid for DreamDrive? Guess that's just the hardware now? Hope I'm misunderstanding this.
 
eelpout said:
from the article:

"Over the next few years, Lucid will sell far more than just cars. “Software as a service” is a large part of the company’s roadmap to profitability, and subscriptions sold to its customer base will likely account for around half of the company’s income eventually.

Self-driving systems are probably the biggest part of this strategy, and customers will pay different amounts depending on the level they choose. From the high $60s to just under $200 per month, as things stand, for level 2++ to level 4 systems.
Click to expand...
So, my translation of this is: we are going to flame-out in a huge way and go out of business. Very sad to see this kind of nonsense being espoused by a company whose hardware is so outstanding.
 
eelpout said:
from the article:

"Over the next few years, Lucid will sell far more than just cars. “Software as a service” is a large part of the company’s roadmap to profitability, and subscriptions sold to its customer base will likely account for around half of the company’s income eventually.

Self-driving systems are probably the biggest part of this strategy, and customers will pay different amounts depending on the level they choose. From the high $60s to just under $200 per month, as things stand, for level 2++ to level 4 systems.

The AI assistant will also be subscription-based rather than a one-time purchase. But it’s unlikely to be standalone. When asked, Flint insinuated it would be part of a package, likely a connectivity-based one, which makes sense. So if you want an AI assistant that can manage your life as you drive, and help curb your vices, you’ll also need to pay for in-vehicle WI-FI and a few other connectivity-centered features."

Huh, I thought some of us already paid for DreamDrive? Guess that's just the hardware now? Hope I'm misunderstanding this.
Click to expand...
The Level 2++ currently in Air and Gravity with DDP are not subscription. I have a feeling that Level 4 planned for Earth/Cosmos will be subscription based. At least with Lucid’s over promise/under deliver reputation, when you buy an Earth in 2027 and opt for Dream Drive Pro hoping for Level 4 capabilities, instead of charging $7000 up front, they may only charge $3000 up front for hardware and then not start your subscription fees until it is delivered, which based on typical Lucid delivery, may not be until your 3 year lease is done.

Maybe they can do the same with my over priced/un-impressive Augmented Reality HUD. Lucid could give me back the extra costs I paid for this HUD and then when they finally deliver it, charge me a monthly subscription fee to use these fancy AR features.
 
Mr.Quindazzi said:
So, my translation of this is: we are going to flame-out in a huge way and go out of business. Very sad to see this kind of nonsense being espoused by a company whose hardware is so outstanding.
Click to expand...
Because they have a plan to charge a subscription for connectivity, like nearly every other automaker and like has been the plan since the first cars were delivered in 2022?

We don’t know enough about *what* ADAS will be subscription, whether those who bought DDP will be grandfathered in to a particular level, or anything else.

Passing judgment before we have information is a fool’s errand, imho. YMMV, of course.
 
borski said:
Because they have a plan to charge a subscription for connectivity, like nearly every other automaker and like has been the plan since the first cars were delivered in 2022?

We don’t know enough about *what* ADAS will be subscription, whether those who bought DDP will be grandfathered in to a particular level, or anything else.

Passing judgment before we have information is a fool’s errand, imho. YMMV, of course.
Click to expand...
Well, can you think of a plausible scenario where software subscriptions provide half a car company's income? As near as I can tell, the only really successful (money making) vehicle subscription is Teslas FSD.
 
Mr.Quindazzi said:
Well, can you think of a plausible scenario where software subscriptions provide half a car company's income? As near as I can tell, the only really successful (money making) vehicle subscription is Teslas FSD.
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Well this is the team that’s lost 90% of its value so far so it doesn’t surprise me.
 
Mr.Quindazzi said:
Well, can you think of a plausible scenario where software subscriptions provide half a car company's income? As near as I can tell, the only really successful (money making) vehicle subscription is Teslas FSD.
Click to expand...
I am not on the other side of the table, so no. But they also aren’t idiots, and I presume have a plan. How good that plan is depends on the details, which we don’t know, and is my entire point.
 
I think EV manufacturers need things like this to be profitable. Once they're able to offer L4 hardware, there's really no reason for folks to buy new cars anymore. The cars are already more than fast enough, charge quickly and have good dynamics. They'll need to find other revenue sources to remain in business.
 
The_Don said:
I think EV manufacturers need things like this to be profitable. Once they're able to offer L4 hardware, there's really no reason for folks to buy new cars anymore. The cars are already more than fast enough, charge quickly and have good dynamics. They'll need to find other revenue sources to remain in business.
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Besides selling cars? I'm not sure I understand
 
The_Don said:
I think EV manufacturers need things like this to be profitable. Once they're able to offer L4 hardware, there's really no reason for folks to buy new cars anymore. The cars are already more than fast enough, charge quickly and have good dynamics. They'll need to find other revenue sources to remain in business.
Click to expand...
This could evolve the way smartphones have.
Especially with media content.

People don't upgrade to new phones as much.
The revenue from network providers is through data plans.
The phone manufacturers offer new features, but the third-party apps take the content possibilities to a different level.
 
msaunders9430 said:
This could evolve the way smartphones have.
Especially with media content.

People don't upgrade to new phones as much.
The revenue from network providers is through data plans.
The phone manufacturers offer new features, but the third-party apps take the content possibilities to a different level.
Click to expand...
I understand that some people buy new cars because they offer more features, but I really do wonder if the median buyer isn't just more interested in a nice, reliable, luxurious, fast car than they are in apps. No doubt early adopters are very interested in the tech, but eventually you have to sell cars to people who just want to get from place to place.
 
Mr.Quindazzi said:
I understand that some people buy new cars because they offer more features, but I really do wonder if the median buyer isn't just more interested in a nice, reliable, luxurious, fast car than they are in apps. No doubt early adopters are very interested in the tech, but eventually you have to sell cars to people who just want to get from place to place.
Click to expand...
Have you seen how preoccupied drivers are on the phones or car screen while they're driving?
I would argue the average driver/median buyer today is more interested in apps than driving, much less driving a luxurious, fast car.
Add in the fact that some cars have screens for the passenger and once the driver has parked there's more to be done than drive.
I can see people in their driveways talking to their car while the family looks out the window wondering "When is Mommy come inside?".
 
IMO, add on Dream Connect Premium (mentioned in Lucid purchase agreement) to the Lucid AI Assistant and subcriptions are gonna be like smartphone data plans.
 
The_Don said:
I'm saying people would not buy new cars as frequently because they wouldn't have much benefit from tech/hardware perspective.
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I think we are simplifying the reason we buy cars - maybe it’s because I’m from the Motor City. If I have a level 4 car, I will use it autonomously when I am too old to drive and need transportation. I won’t put many miles on it, won’t be going long distances and it can last for 10-15 years if maintained.

But, for most people I know, we want cars that can take us home from the bar safely or drive us to work while we make calls, text and read the newspaper, but I would rather be driving if I can. A car is an emotional device, at least to me, and I want to interact, to feel the power and the cornering and enjoy the process of driving - most of the time.

Outside of those who leased a Lucid, which in my case was done to protect myself from Lucid going out of business, many have leased BMWs, Mercedes, Polestars and all sorts of other cars. If you really want a car that you can keep for 5,6,10 years, why are people leasing for 3 years? Because we want shiny paint every 3 years, or we want new technology, or we want a better sound system or we want a different interior layout.

In my opinion, cars will never stop developing. Why stop with L4 on the road? Many of you have vacation homes hours away - why not have a L4 flying car to get you there quicker? Or cars that connect magnetically, creating a line of vehicles going down the highway connected, sharing costs and being the most efficient shape?

Technology is here to stay - has been for 130 years in the auto industry and will continue for the lifetimes of at least everyone on this forum. Maybe Mr. Spock’s transporter will replace the need for physical transportation, but that thought is as crazy as the belief that car companies will stop making over-optimistic claims of the performance and capabilities of their new cars.

It’s a wonderful time to be alive!
 
With regard to the AI assistant, I guess I don’t understand what it’s going to do that my phone can’t, that’s worth paying for. I suppose if I need to start paying for data in my car then I will, but how will an assistant that can’t leave my car make my life better?
 
I do not know what "AI Assistant" will be able to do in our Lucids. My AGT has met all my expectations when I ordered mine in April 2022 and after three plus years with it am impressed with its capabilities and improvements. I do know that the improvement in ClaudeAI has been quite rapid and for $20 a month it does what I paid staff six figure salaries to do a couple of years ago. If a service will cost $60 to hundreds of dollars a month it would have to be well beyond what I perceive my needs will be now or in the future. Of course, I did not use AI until about three years ago and it has continued to impress me with its capabilities. Is it infallible? Of course not. And any system in a vehicle will have to be at least six sigma and meet multiple and varied needs of its customer base. The revenue model of a car maker may change but we have recently seen what the SAAS model has confronted lately so manufacturing at scale of superior automobile products seems to me to be the best approach. The revenue model of EV makers clearly recognizes the longer useful life if its products even with uncertain battery life and certainly has factored that into its strategy. Battery replacement may be its longer term revenue enhancer given the lower ongoing maintenance revenues of EVs. Having said this, nothing will surprise me regarding AI and while I do not depend on them, I look forward to improvements while I enjoy my AGT.
 
idiot900 said:
With regard to the AI assistant, I guess I don’t understand what it’s going to do that my phone can’t, that’s worth paying for. I suppose if I need to start paying for data in my car then I will, but how will an assistant that can’t leave my car make my life better?
Click to expand...
I guess it can make your life better when you are in your car. ;-) It would obviously have much more control over car functions that your phone doesn't have. If looking for a personal valet, virtual therapist or AI friend...then yeah, probably better to use other phone-based tools you can take with you.

I think there are some great uses for this type of conversational interaction with online resources. I think it's one of those technologies that will change how people use it over time. Currently, I'm not sure I'd use it for controls in the car (HVAC, windows, etc) but would certainly use it for Yelp-like suggestions so don't have to pull over to check for nearby restaurants with good reviews, etc. Yes, this can be done with a phone, but it will nice just to say "yeah, that sounds good. Go there" and your nav updates.
 
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