Q1 2026 Forum Survey Results (And what we're doing next)

[bthanos]

It all comes down to time and effort to implement and test any changes in the software. I've been a software engineer for many years. And the reality is, it may be a minor change, but when it comes to embedded software for a car, it needs to be tested to make sure it's working properly in all instances and it doesn't cause some other side effect.

And I'm sure the software team at Ford has more important things to do with their time in their mind.

I'm not saying it's right, but in the end, embedded software for a new model year vehicle will always take priority over older vehicles.

Someone should really leak the entire embedded code base and associated tools to create the firmware files. Then we could have a community software effort. Or Ford should open source the embedded software for these features.

Everything you said up till leaking the code base made sense. You gonna test someone’s new features they added without testing on your Lightning? You wanna void any warrantee from Ford? I think not…

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[CoolViper777]

I have done lots of embedded software at Eaton Cutler-Hammer Back in the day, we would setup a hardware test bed for industrial breaker control. But today, I would probably use a software emulator, based on what CPU architecture it's running.

Once I tested that it actually ran in a limited way, I would back up my firmware and test it on my truck.

I should apply to Ford software group. It sounds interesting, compared to the financial software I've been doing the last few years.

Everything you said up till leaking the code base made sense. You gonna test someone’s new features they added without testing on your Lightning? You wanna void any warrantee from Ford? I think not…

 

[Altivec]

It all comes down to time and effort to implement and test any changes in the software. I've been a software engineer for many years. And the reality is, it may be a minor change, but when it comes to embedded software for a car, it needs to be tested to make sure it's working properly in all instances and it doesn't cause some other side effect.

And I'm sure the software team at Ford has more important things to do with their time in their mind.

I'm not saying it's right, but in the end, embedded software for a new model year vehicle will always take priority over older vehicles.

Someone should really leak the entire embedded code base and associated tools to create the firmware files. Then we could have a community software effort. Or Ford should open source the embedded software for these features.

The problem I have with your comment is that Ford engineers themselves boasted about OTA updates and that they are going to push updates to previous year vehicles. An engineer was even asked specifically about the 22 and 23 getting pro-power with truck off (video is on YouTube somewhere) and he said yes. I based my purchase on these and the dealers comments.

The philosophy you mentioned that new model year vehicles always takes priority is exactly how legacy auto thinks. That model no longer works in a software driven world. Would you buy a phone or computer that won't get updates in this day and age because the OEM already took your money and no longer cares about you? No! and that's just a few hundred dollar device. There is an expectation of at least 5 years of software support for those devices.

Is it hard for Apple, Samsung and Google, etc to develop their platform so that they can offer 5 years of support. Absolutely... Don't you think they would love to do it the Ford way so you buy a new phone every year? This type of thinking is EXACTLY why legacy auto will die. I buy Apple products because of the exceptional support for the life of the product. Startups such as Tesla, Rivian and China are prioritizing their current customers... WHY? Because those are the customers that will buy again. Do you think I am going to be buying a Ford again if they continue this legacy philosophy of ah ha, we got your money. Absolutely never. That is why I say, I'm watching how Ford handles this. Brian says SOON we will see good things. I waiting for this SOON.

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