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This was a couple years ago (and I apologize for not being able to find a source), but I heard an interview with a Ford exec about the limits of adaptive cruise

This was a couple years ago (and I apologize for not being able to find a source), but I heard an interview with a Ford exec about the limits of adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance and he basically said: "Our drivers don't want that. They want the control of their own vehicle." And not that it's set in stone, and not that organizations can't change, but in general it sure seems like Ford and the other big automakers don't want self driving cars. Partially, it's a concern that they'll see their existing model torn to shreds if self driving cars become the basis for much more efficient on demand or fractional ownership car usage. And I think partially it's that the designers, engineers, exec's at Ford are "car people". They love driving cars, they see a romance to them ("the open road"), they have "daily drivers" and "my pride and joy" type of relationships with their cars. If nothing else, it's abundantly clear that Tesla is coming at this from a whole different direction.

maxerickson 10y ago
Here's the CEO of Ford a few weeks ago talking about launching a car with Level 4 autonomy, with a goal of doing it by 2021: http://www.businessinsider.com/ford-ceo-driverless-car-fear-2017-2 http://www.businessinsider.com/ford-ceo-driverless-car-fear-... So not really resisting the whole thing, just no belief that hand offs can work safely.
- Fricken 10y ago
  The auto industry has done an about face over the past couple years, switching from a belief in an incremental approach to going straight for level 4 robotaxis, as Waymo has been doing from the start. Tesla is the notable exception.
- f4rker 10y ago
  Ford has that whole "roll over problem" back in the day. I'm sure they are not dying to rush to AI driving and be in the press again...
cujo 10y ago
Are you sure? From where I sit, it looks like Tesla is just offering a traditional car with a different set of organs. They don't seem to show any signs of doing anything different than ford on the sales/direction angle.
- koreyb 10y ago
  Other than no franchise stores and big budget advertising.
- michaelbuckbee 10y ago
  Here's the things that seem different to me: - No dealerships - Supercharger network (It started as free, but now it's moving to pay/minute usage). I expect that in the years to come it will become a profit center. - Powerwall battery + solar roof integration - Tesla seems to have more cars on the road doing some level of autonomous driving now than anyone else. I think that real world experience and data counts for something.
  - briandear 10y ago
    No dealerships isn't an innovation. I do find it ironic that those that complain about Uber "violating the law" when it comes to taxi services seem to have no problem not complaining when Tesla attempts to subvert many state laws against direct-sales. For the record, I think Uber should challenge ridiculous anti-competitive regulations just as Tesla should challenge ridiculous anti-competitive regulations. But you can't cheer Tesla fighting the law while condemning Uber for doing the same and stay intellectually consistent. Dealership laws were passed ostensibly to 'protect the consumer' just as taxi regulations were passed for the same reason. In reality, both types of laws don't protect anyone -- except industry incumbents.
    - entee 10y ago
      It does appear that Tesla is a little more deliberate than Uber in that regard. They do comply with court orders, they have been trying to fight the laws in court and the legislature as a first option instead of as a, "we got caught, sorry" option. It's also unclear that Tesla is particularly opposed to regulation in general, whereas Uber has essentially resisted any regulations (say, fingerprinting or deeper background checks or employee/contractor designations) at every turn. Uber (until recently) wouldn't even pay a nominal fee to test autonomous vehicles!
dclowd9901 10y ago
And yet, you also see Ford addressing themselves as a "mobility company." I think your confirmation bias is showing here. These companies (and Ford especially, it seems) see where the market is heading and are trying to get ahead of the puck. I can almost guarantee Ford has a thinktank working hard right now to put together a autonomous vehicle service.
briandear 10y ago
If that's the case, why was Tesla's first car a super-fast sports car rather than a practical minivan/people mover or a low cost car for the masses?

maxerickson 10y ago

Here's the CEO of Ford a few weeks ago talking about launching a car with Level 4 autonomy, with a goal of doing it by 2021: http://www.businessinsider.com/ford-ceo-driverless-car-fear-2017-2 http://www.businessinsider.com/ford-ceo-driverless-car-fear-... So not really resisting the whole thing, just no belief that hand offs can work safely.

Fricken 10y ago
The auto industry has done an about face over the past couple years, switching from a belief in an incremental approach to going straight for level 4 robotaxis, as Waymo has been doing from the start. Tesla is the notable exception.
f4rker 10y ago
Ford has that whole "roll over problem" back in the day. I'm sure they are not dying to rush to AI driving and be in the press again...

cujo 10y ago

Are you sure? From where I sit, it looks like Tesla is just offering a traditional car with a different set of organs. They don't seem to show any signs of doing anything different than ford on the sales/direction angle.

koreyb 10y ago
Other than no franchise stores and big budget advertising.
michaelbuckbee 10y ago
Here's the things that seem different to me: - No dealerships - Supercharger network (It started as free, but now it's moving to pay/minute usage). I expect that in the years to come it will become a profit center. - Powerwall battery + solar roof integration - Tesla seems to have more cars on the road doing some level of autonomous driving now than anyone else. I think that real world experience and data counts for something.
- briandear 10y ago
  No dealerships isn't an innovation. I do find it ironic that those that complain about Uber "violating the law" when it comes to taxi services seem to have no problem not complaining when Tesla attempts to subvert many state laws against direct-sales. For the record, I think Uber should challenge ridiculous anti-competitive regulations just as Tesla should challenge ridiculous anti-competitive regulations. But you can't cheer Tesla fighting the law while condemning Uber for doing the same and stay intellectually consistent. Dealership laws were passed ostensibly to 'protect the consumer' just as taxi regulations were passed for the same reason. In reality, both types of laws don't protect anyone -- except industry incumbents.
  - entee 10y ago
    It does appear that Tesla is a little more deliberate than Uber in that regard. They do comply with court orders, they have been trying to fight the laws in court and the legislature as a first option instead of as a, "we got caught, sorry" option. It's also unclear that Tesla is particularly opposed to regulation in general, whereas Uber has essentially resisted any regulations (say, fingerprinting or deeper background checks or employee/contractor designations) at every turn. Uber (until recently) wouldn't even pay a nominal fee to test autonomous vehicles!

dclowd9901 10y ago

And yet, you also see Ford addressing themselves as a "mobility company." I think your confirmation bias is showing here. These companies (and Ford especially, it seems) see where the market is heading and are trying to get ahead of the puck. I can almost guarantee Ford has a thinktank working hard right now to put together a autonomous vehicle service.

briandear 10y ago

If that's the case, why was Tesla's first car a super-fast sports car rather than a practical minivan/people mover or a low cost car for the masses?