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

[Administrator]

Ford 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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[ElectricShitbox]

Further confirming my disinterest in new ford products.

 

[cadblu]

‘Eyes-off’ driving is sending the wrong message to the autonomous driving community. At least Tesla is marketing its tech as supervised FSD (full self driving). Your eyes should never be closed behind the wheel. I have FSD. It’s the other drivers I’m worried about.

 

[Letas]

Impressive if they deliver. Good to see competition.

 

[KevinRS]

I would be shocked if they actually sell a L3 driving assistance truck at $30k. There is going to be well over $5k more in equipment even in their base model than the slate, just accounting for the sensors, computing, and controls. Then there is everything else Ford and any other major manufacturer just can't leave out of even a base vehicle, and how hard it is to get a "base" vehicle.
Then that self driving probably comes with a subscription too.

 

[Johnologue]

Thanks, I hate it.

The result is a more unified “vehicle brain” — a single, powerful module that unifies infotainment, ADAS, audio, and networking.

Audio and critical driving/safety systems on the same computer.
The engineering brilliance of welding a tow hitch to a gas tank.

 

[Letas]

I would be shocked if they actually sell a L3 driving assistance truck at $30k. There is going to be well over $5k more in equipment even in their base model than the slate, just accounting for the sensors, computing, and controls. Then there is everything else Ford and any other major manufacturer just can't leave out of even a base vehicle, and how hard it is to get a "base" vehicle.
Then that self driving probably comes with a subscription too.

If they do…. Puts a LOT of pressure on Slate to justify their value.

 

[KevinRS]

If they do…. Puts a LOT of pressure on Slate to justify their value.

Well, we've seen nothing of this "truck like vehicle they aren't calling a truck" besides a bit of the curve of the front end. All they are really trying to sell so far is selling investors on the platform.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Thanks, I hate it.


Audio and critical driving/safety systems on the same computer.
The engineering brilliance of welding a tow hitch to a gas tank.

Well yeah,but if it wasn't all integrated, how would they scrape and sell your data, while also trapping you in a subscription service? You're not even considering shareholder value.

 

[Sandman614]

I'll take things that will never come to fruition for $500, Alex.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

>> At least Tesla is marketing its tech as supervised FSD (full self driving).

ROTFL.

Why yes they do. But only after losing a series of lawsuits (with more in court now), being investigated by California, and threatened with a stop sale. Yea, Tesla is soooo honest and forthcoming about the capabilities of their system. Elon never lies, exaggerates or gaslights. Never. That guy is soooo restrained and self controlled.

ROTFL.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

It's not just Ford. GM and Rivian have the same timeframe. And Mercedes has the feature in some markets now. The models are reaching the point where training a system is far easier and obtainable than it was a decade ago.

There is a key litmus test for any "self-driving" system (BTW, I am a self driving fanboy). That test is "Does the OEM accept legal liability for any accidents while the system is engaged?". And for the record, Tesla does not.

 

[TexasSlate]

If they do…. Puts a LOT of pressure on Slate to justify their value.

This. Most of us on this forum like the simplicity of the Slate truck, but honestly, we're a tiny minority of drivers. To be sustainable, Slate needs to tap into the mass market, and a 30K Ford truck that seats four, comes with carplay built in, and has L3 autonomy might absolutely crush Slate before it can get out of the gate.

 

[Sandman614]

Absolutely bonkers that any one would believe anything coming from the most recalled brand in 2025, that just took a nearly $20 billion write off on their EV program, and has shown nothing material related to this vehicle besides press releases and one possible exterior image. This was an announcement made at CES, the hype conference to end all hype conferences. It's basically one big stock manipulation conference. Take anything this flailing leadership says with a grain of salt the size of the Dead Sea.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

I read news today that actually reduced my Slate skepticism. I'm a skeptical Slate fanboy (an oxymoron, I know). The news is the 2025 Maverick sales figues. A record at 155,000 (I think that's right). But here's what has me cheering for Slate - Ford is reporting that their sales mix is slewing very heavily to the base XL trims. And the fact that Maverick sales are not slowing down - that indicates an enduring appetite in the USA for (relatively) inexpensive small trucks. Now the devil is in the details, so I'm wondering if that base trim skew is due to retail or fleet customers?

My skepticism from day 100 (around when the EV incentives were killed) has always been that I'm not sure Slate (1) will deliver enough value at a low enough cost to pull large numbers of buyers away from Maverick and Santa Cruz. And (2) that American buyers simply won't buy a seriously bare bones vehicle in this day and age.

So Ford just blew (2) out of the water. If you've ever seen a Maverick XL - it's seriously bare bones. So I confess I clearly got (2) wrong in a big way. Now, it's up to Slate to destroy argument (1).