News: Level 3 Eyes-Off Driving Technology to launch on $30K Ford EV Truck

[Administrator]

Ford Just Announced:

https://www.rancheroforum.com/forum/threads/ford-eyes-off-driving-technology-launching-in-2028-on-30k-ev-truck-new-ai-assistant-launches-early-2026.15767/

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[MaverickDragon]

Considering how accurate AI often isn't, I wonder how many people would be willing to trust the software with their lives.
Of note, in the news today, a Waymo autonomous vehicle drove a passenger onto the Phoenix light rail tracks and parked itself there. The rider was likely not in eyes off mode...

 

[Chops]

Ford Just Announced:

https://www.rancheroforum.com/forum/threads/ford-eyes-off-driving-technology-launching-in-2028-on-30k-ev-truck-new-ai-assistant-launches-early-2026.15767/

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Yay! I’ll get to enjoy my Lobo for the full warranty period before trade-in!

Fingers crossed the “skunk works” comes though…

 

[zen_]

I used to get excited about self driving cars because even I get bored on long drives and it would be a step up for many drivers that are wildly incompetent, and shouldn't even have a license to begin with.

My older sister has a 16' Subaru that was one of the first mid range cars with blind spot monitoring and radar cruise control. Her teenage drivers took out the right rear sensor in a fender bender, and damaged the radar cruise running into the trash cans in the garage in the last two years. They elected not to spend $4,000 fixing that when assessing their vehicles this year. That's kinda the reality of all this tech bolted onto vehicles everywhere possible I'm afraid. What was supposed to be an economy vehicle becomes more complicated than a Mercedes S-Class was 15 years ago, and people wonder where reliability went.

 

[SafetyGuy]

It was a bit of a read, but it will be interesting watching this long term skunkworks teams product make its way into the real world.

I am sure there will be more info trickling out as the time for the release comes closer.

Andy

 

[Automan21]

Wonder if the auto mod company Skunkworks will sue ford for using its name in this whole thing?
IMO I would rather drive my own ca than trust it to ai or a whole computer system.

 

[Chops]

Wonder if the auto mod company Skunkworks will sue ford for using its name in this whole thing?
IMO I would rather drive my own ca than trust it to ai or a whole computer system.

The term “skunkworks” was used by Lockheed back in the 1940’s. They have it trademarked - but the term is as common as kleenex when it comes to secretive R&D stuff.

Henry Ford had a secretive R&D group working on stuff and they called it something else.

 

[inline_five]

I used to get excited about self driving cars because even I get bored on long drives and it would be a step up for many drivers that are wildly incompetent, and shouldn't even have a license to begin with.

My older sister has a 16' Subaru that was one of the first mid range cars with blind spot monitoring and radar cruise control. Her teenage drivers took out the right rear sensor in a fender bender, and damaged the radar cruise running into the trash cans in the garage in the last two years. They elected not to spend $4,000 fixing that when assessing their vehicles this year. That's kinda the reality of all this tech bolted onto vehicles everywhere possible I'm afraid. What was supposed to be an economy vehicle becomes more complicated than a Mercedes S-Class was 15 years ago, and people wonder where reliability went.

I bought the Ford radar module for the adaptive cruise control on our Maverick for $230 used, but new it's only like $450. The tech really isn't that expensive when done at scale.

Kinda like ABS and disc brakes used to be an upcharge, now they are all standard and cost to repair is very low. It's basically just a hall sensor on the knuckle with software handling the ABS portion.

I have a Comma AI box coming for my Maverick, basically turns it into a Tesla as far as self driving goes. Not perfect but pretty good and better at paying attention than a human is on long highway drives.

 

[710-oil-614]

If anyone believes Ford is going to sell a $30k midsize EV truck with this technology, usable range, ability to haul and tow more than a passenger and styrofoam in the bed….

I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona I’m looking to unload…

EDIT: I’m really surprised that Ford is continuing down this path given how poorly the Lightning did and how much they lose on each MachE.

I understand they plan to use dated battery technology and aren’t promising significant range.

I’m just wondering who they think is going to actually be interested in a $40k EV with poor range, build quality, and capability as a truck.

 

[Chops]

A $30k Maverick is the new $20k Maverick - an initial base model with trims more expensive available.

Prices rising soon after release & buzz.

Ford ditched the Lightning because it was expensive & no one bought it. Not going to do that again. Maybe the skunkworks is copying the Chinese designs?

 

[Aherpa]

Considering how accurate AI often isn't, I wonder how many people would be willing to trust the software with their lives.
Of note, in the news today, a Waymo autonomous vehicle drove a passenger onto the Phoenix light rail tracks and parked itself there. The rider was likely not in eyes off mode...

Not to mention the massive power outage in San Francisco that caused Waymo vehicles to just stop because the traffic lights were out.

 

[commadorebob]

I like the idea of more autonomous driving. I don't know why everyone insists on putting it in EVs first. I guess they need something to entice consumers to buy them. EVs aren't just enticing in and of themselves. I still think the new Lightning and RamCharger approach will get consumers used to the idea since it will allow consumers to see the benefit of an EV while still providing that gas range confidence. Eventually, some consumers will realize they never actually needed the gas engine.

But I digress. I plan to run the wheels off my Maverick, but if Ford offered Bluecruise in the 2028 model refresh, I'll bite. I've been sold ever since we test drove my wife's Expedition. So, I'm all for more autonomous driving.

 

[Pghmav25]

If anyone believes Ford is going to sell a $30k midsize EV truck with this technology, usable range, ability to haul and tow more than a passenger and styrofoam in the bed….

I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona I’m looking to unload…

EDIT: I’m really surprised that Ford is continuing down this path given how poorly the Lightning did and how much they lose on each MachE.

I understand they plan to use dated battery technology and aren’t promising significant range.

I’m just wondering who they think is going to actually be interested in a $40k EV with poor range, build quality, and capability as a truck.

It certainly won't be 'standard' in the 30K vehicle. It will be 'available' - for a charge.

 

[710-oil-614]

It certainly won't be 'standard' in the 30K vehicle. It will be 'available' - for a charge.

I honestly cannot see them even offering the truck for a starting price of $30k even before destination.

 

[ScottyC]

I would have liked to have had autonomous driving for my elderly parents so they would not have had to rely on others to get them to doctor appointments and such.

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