The Road to Scout Production - All the latest updates in one place...

[R1TVT]

My biggest concern of “computer on wheels” is the risk of everything eventually becoming a subscription which costs me money that I shouldn’t need to pay for. Either offer it or dont

Just to be 100% clear, that is not an EV issue. Any modern ICE vehicle is the same. You can have a "subscription on wheels" for ICE or EV... It is usually a pass-through of WiFi costs in either case, when OEM's start layering in other costs via subscriptions, it usually creates a pretty big uproar - particularly if there is little to no value.

 

[Chaparral]

The problem with Huhnke’s comment is that it makes over-the-air software updates central to the on-going customer experience by updating a touchscreen centric user experience. But the car is not a cell phone and what works for cell phones does not work for cars. Tesla drivers are often angry about the changes that happen in software updates so while this model sometimes delights users it also sometimes irritates them by adding instability that undermines trust.

Today’s news is that Tesla is adding the Apple Podcasts app to its infotainment system but what their customers really want is the ability to add whatever apps they want, not the ones Tesla chooses to allow. In my opinion the infotainment system should be something the customer has complete control of through CarPlay and Android Auto so that they have hundreds of apps to choose from, some of which are made by individual developers targeting niche user needs that a car manufacturer could never address. For example, some users don’t want the Apple Podcasts app but prefer the Overcast app on Carplay which is made by an individual developer. There does not need to be a built in infotainment system at all! The customer should be able to take the experience they create on their powerful and often updated handheld computer from vehicle to vehicle and multiple drivers of a vehicle should each have their own set of apps and data such as podcast playlists, contacts, audiobooks etc. Rather than making an infotainment system that no one will ever use Scout should probably be making a really good CarPlay app. The horrible infotainment system in the Fisker makes me a bit nervous about Huhnke’s approach.

The Fisker display rotates from portrait to landscape so that the user can watch movies but watching movies in a car should be a low priority for a design team. At the end of the day, users already have their tablets and computers for entertainment so trying to replicate those services on the cars in-built screen adds very little value. The display should probably just be landscape all the time. When the car is parked the display should support screen mirroring, AirPlay, HDMI in and USB-C in so that any phone, tablet or computer can use it for any purpose, which could be watching movies or could be something else, such as getting work done. Such connectivity would be much more valuable to users than motorized screen rotation.

Car manufacturers should not be giving much thought to in-car entertainment and services software. They should be focused on the interface between the driver and the machine they are making. None of the car’s controls, except rarely used settings, should work through a touchscreen.

A car should not rely on the internet at all! It should not be continuously connected to backend servers. It should not be an IOT device. A car should be able to live out its whole life in a place with no internet. This is especially the case with an adventure vehicle. Every connection to the internet is a potential route for hackers and requires on-going maintenance to keep secure. This risk is higher for a continuously connected device. Apple and Google each have thousands of engineers constantly scrambling to close security holes. Car manufacturers simply don’t have the necessary resources to make the car a secure cell phone-like mobile device.

Rather than thinking of the car as an internet connected device they should be thinking the exact opposite. The car should provide life preserving off-grid emergency functionality. They should be thinking about integrating two way radios, emergency satellite coms, emergency beacon, etc. Rather than trying to make the car a cellphone the car should be leveraging the power of the cellphone the user already has and integrating as tightly as possible with it. If a car manufacturer wants to differentiate they should be collaborating with Apple and Google to add unique integrations. For example, they should be saying to Apple ‘we want to make your car crash detection better by giving the phone sensor data from the vehicle’ because that would be best for our shared customer.

It should be possible for the car to get firmware updates and for the car to upload diagnostic data periodically. Firmware updates should not be automatic. In the tech industry critical infrastructure and essential computers are not quickly updated to new software, they are only updated when new software has many months of proven reliability or never at all. The user should be able to keep the vehicle off the internet and on old firmware if they want to. Some Teslas have decided to update software while the car is being driven and this has dangerously left the driver without essential functionality like turn signals.

A big focus of the CTO should be on improving vehicle reliability through cutting edge technologies. For example, sensor data from the vehicle should be collected to measure the condition of mechanical components and this data should be periodically uploaded and analyzed on Scout servers to identify leading indicators of mechanical problems. Machine learning models (AI) could be revolutionary in doing this. The goal should be to notify the user that something needs maintenance before it fails. This should be a far bigger project than keeping users entertained with a touchscreen.

 

[R1TVT]

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (which you seem to be advocating for) live within infotainment system, and can be used in parallel with other automotive systems, which makes it a great option for customers (and to your point, also lessens development work on the OEM to create native in-infotainment experiences for everything.

That said, there is absolutely a necessity and need for certain native functionality to exist in any vehicle within that native interface, partially for safety, partially for convenience and also because all OEM's want some control over the experience to DIFFERENTIATE them from other competitors. A crappy interface isn't going to win you any JD Power awards or Strong Edmunds reviews, which (whether you like it or not) can influence buying decisions). Particularly useful in an infotainment screen are things like settings for different drive modes, regenerative braking, ride quality, lane departure, assisted cruise-control, carwash mod, etc... This list goes on and on and on. If you didn't have a screen for these things, you would literally have a driving interface that looked like a Pan Am Boeing 737. Nobody wants that. Nor, will future customers that SM is designing toward to drive sales revenue.

Probably the BEST example of this in an EV is the SW's ability to communicate SOC and battery information (based on what the car is monitoring for speed, temp, vehicle settings, etc) to help a driver make an informed decision about charging, what type of charging, distance to charger AND THEN precondition the battery. You can't do this all from your iPhone, nor would you want to do it.

I do miss Apple CarPlay in my Rivian, but I really only miss it for Waze. I can still say, "Hey Siri, call JimBob" and my Iphone will automatically call Jimbob (hands-free) and I will be able to talk to jimBob through Rivian's audio connectivity. I think Scout would be smart to enable easy connectivty from the device in our pockets and speed development with the addition of AC and AA... No doubt in my mind. They just aren't going to have a big hole in the dash where every competitor has an infotainment system, nor will there be a physical button for everything available in a modern car.

One thing that you keep bringing up (which I already tried to clarify above) is the YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET AT ALL TIMES IN ANY VEHICLE. That goes for EV's also. Being able to run all of your systems with no connectivity whatsoever is mandatory! This should not be conflated with EV technology. In fact, you state that updates should not be automatic. Both my family's vehicles (ICE SUV and the EV R1T) take remote updates when you want them. The car doesn't suddenly stop or become inoperable b/c an update is happening.

 

[Bodie]

The problem with Huhnke’s comment is that it makes over-the-air software updates central to the on-going customer experience by updating a touchscreen centric user experience. But the car is not a cell phone and what works for cell phones does not work for cars. Tesla drivers are often angry about the changes that happen in software updates so while this model sometimes delights users it also sometimes irritates them by adding instability that undermines trust.

Today’s news is that Tesla is adding the Apple Podcasts app to its infotainment system but what their customers really want is the ability to add whatever apps they want, not the ones Tesla chooses to allow. In my opinion the infotainment system should be something the customer has complete control of through CarPlay and Android Auto so that they have hundreds of apps to choose from, some of which are made by individual developers targeting niche user needs that a car manufacturer could never address. For example, some users don’t want the Apple Podcasts app but prefer the Overcast app on Carplay which is made by an individual developer. There does not need to be a built in infotainment system at all! The customer should be able to take the experience they create on their powerful and often updated handheld computer from vehicle to vehicle and multiple drivers of a vehicle should each have their own set of apps and data such as podcast playlists, contacts, audiobooks etc. Rather than making an infotainment system that no one will ever use Scout should probably be making a really good CarPlay app. The horrible infotainment system in the Fisker makes me a bit nervous about Huhnke’s approach.

The Fisker display rotates from portrait to landscape so that the user can watch movies but watching movies in a car should be a low priority for a design team. At the end of the day, users already have their tablets and computers for entertainment so trying to replicate those services on the cars in-built screen adds very little value. The display should probably just be landscape all the time. When the car is parked the display should support screen mirroring, AirPlay, HDMI in and USB-C in so that any phone, tablet or computer can use it for any purpose, which could be watching movies or could be something else, such as getting work done. Such connectivity would be much more valuable to users than motorized screen rotation.

Car manufacturers should not be giving much thought to in-car entertainment and services software. They should be focused on the interface between the driver and the machine they are making. None of the car’s controls, except rarely used settings, should work through a touchscreen.

A car should not rely on the internet at all! It should not be continuously connected to backend servers. It should not be an IOT device. A car should be able to live out its whole life in a place with no internet. This is especially the case with an adventure vehicle. Every connection to the internet is a potential route for hackers and requires on-going maintenance to keep secure. This risk is higher for a continuously connected device. Apple and Google each have thousands of engineers constantly scrambling to close security holes. Car manufacturers simply don’t have the necessary resources to make the car a secure cell phone-like mobile device.

Rather than thinking of the car as an internet connected device they should be thinking the exact opposite. The car should provide life preserving off-grid emergency functionality. They should be thinking about integrating two way radios, emergency satellite coms, emergency beacon, etc. Rather than trying to make the car a cellphone the car should be leveraging the power of the cellphone the user already has and integrating as tightly as possible with it. If a car manufacturer wants to differentiate they should be collaborating with Apple and Google to add unique integrations. For example, they should be saying to Apple ‘we want to make your car crash detection better by giving the phone sensor data from the vehicle’ because that would be best for our shared customer.

It should be possible for the car to get firmware updates and for the car to upload diagnostic data periodically. Firmware updates should not be automatic. In the tech industry critical infrastructure and essential computers are not quickly updated to new software, they are only updated when new software has many months of proven reliability or never at all. The user should be able to keep the vehicle off the internet and on old firmware if they want to. Some Teslas have decided to update software while the car is being driven and this has dangerously left the driver without essential functionality like turn signals.

A big focus of the CTO should be on improving vehicle reliability through cutting edge technologies. For example, sensor data from the vehicle should be collected to measure the condition of mechanical components and this data should be periodically uploaded and analyzed on Scout servers to identify leading indicators of mechanical problems. Machine learning models (AI) could be revolutionary in doing this. The goal should be to notify the user that something needs maintenance before it fails. This should be a far bigger project than keeping users entertained with a touchscreen.

This. All of THIS!

 

[TaconicBear]

The thing about connectivity is that you don't need it to run the vehicle. You can still run any vehicle that takes OTA's "off grid or off net". Absolutely nothing changes when you lose coverage. It's the same as losing coverage in your legacy scout, Tundra or any other vehicle.

The key word here is «run», the key issue stated many times in these fora is when some essential element decides not to run when the vehicle is in some remote unserved location.

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

SCOUT MOTORS ANNOUNCES NEW SCOUT INNOVATION CENTER IN MICHIGAN​

Research and development facility will be home to Scout Motors’ Product, Design and Engineering teams

Novi, Michigan (December 12, 2023) – Scout Motors Inc. (“Scout Motors”), formed to craft the next generation of all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs, announced today the company will establish its Scout Innovation Center in Novi, Michigan. This research and development facility will house Scout Motors’ growing Product, Design and Engineering teams and members of cross-functional support teams.

“Our new vehicles will honor Scout’s hard-working heritage while injecting fresh American ingenuity to create a new era of iconic all-purpose vehicles,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Scout Motors. “As we design and engineer our vehicles, Michigan is the perfect place to establish our Innovation Center due to its deep automotive roots, continued investment in innovation and ability to attract and train a talented, diverse workforce.”

Michigan is leading the charge to position the U.S. as a global EV/mobility competitor through increased manufacturing capacity, research and development and the state’s ranking as first in the nation for mobility-related patents. Last year, the state attracted over $14 billion in electric vehicle and battery investments while developing programs to train and employ the next generation of talent in the EV/mobility sector.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Scout Motors’ new R&D facility to Michigan, creating 200 good-paying engineering jobs right here in Michigan. Winning this investment proves that Michigan offers the best opportunity for automotive companies – from R&D to manufacturing,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Scout Motors’ investment in the Scout Innovation Center is supported by a Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Scout Motors to Michigan as we continue to secure our position as the leader in future mobility and electrification. This project represents the kind of R&D investment that continues to put Michigan in a position to win through a Make It in Michigan strategy,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Scout Motors’ trucks and rugged SUVs will be built on a newly designed all-electric platform, engineered to deliver credible capability and off-road prowess, with a focus on ground clearance, approach angles, robust axles, payload capacity, all-electric range, and new digital features.

Scout Motors has now hired nearly 300 employees since its inception in 2022. Current career opportunities can be found on the Scout Motors careers page.

JLL, led by Vice Chairman Greg Lubar and Executive Managing Director Matt Jackson, represented Scout Motors in the site selection and coordination with the State of Michigan.

To learn more about Scout Motors, visit www.scoutmotors.com.

 

[bbarry840]

SCOUT MOTORS ANNOUNCES NEW SCOUT INNOVATION CENTER IN MICHIGAN​

Research and development facility will be home to Scout Motors’ Product, Design and Engineering teams

Novi, Michigan (December 12, 2023) – Scout Motors Inc. (“Scout Motors”), formed to craft the next generation of all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs, announced today the company will establish its Scout Innovation Center in Novi, Michigan. This research and development facility will house Scout Motors’ growing Product, Design and Engineering teams and members of cross-functional support teams.

“Our new vehicles will honor Scout’s hard-working heritage while injecting fresh American ingenuity to create a new era of iconic all-purpose vehicles,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Scout Motors. “As we design and engineer our vehicles, Michigan is the perfect place to establish our Innovation Center due to its deep automotive roots, continued investment in innovation and ability to attract and train a talented, diverse workforce.”

Michigan is leading the charge to position the U.S. as a global EV/mobility competitor through increased manufacturing capacity, research and development and the state’s ranking as first in the nation for mobility-related patents. Last year, the state attracted over $14 billion in electric vehicle and battery investments while developing programs to train and employ the next generation of talent in the EV/mobility sector.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Scout Motors’ new R&D facility to Michigan, creating 200 good-paying engineering jobs right here in Michigan. Winning this investment proves that Michigan offers the best opportunity for automotive companies – from R&D to manufacturing,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Scout Motors’ investment in the Scout Innovation Center is supported by a Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Scout Motors to Michigan as we continue to secure our position as the leader in future mobility and electrification. This project represents the kind of R&D investment that continues to put Michigan in a position to win through a Make It in Michigan strategy,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Scout Motors’ trucks and rugged SUVs will be built on a newly designed all-electric platform, engineered to deliver credible capability and off-road prowess, with a focus on ground clearance, approach angles, robust axles, payload capacity, all-electric range, and new digital features.

Scout Motors has now hired nearly 300 employees since its inception in 2022. Current career opportunities can be found on the Scout Motors careers page.

JLL, led by Vice Chairman Greg Lubar and Executive Managing Director Matt Jackson, represented Scout Motors in the site selection and coordination with the State of Michigan.

To learn more about Scout Motors, visit www.scoutmotors.com.

Scout motors is showing that it is getting better and better to its start-up.

 

[bkennedy]

SCOUT MOTORS ANNOUNCES NEW SCOUT INNOVATION CENTER IN MICHIGAN​

Research and development facility will be home to Scout Motors’ Product, Design and Engineering teams

Novi, Michigan (December 12, 2023) – Scout Motors Inc. (“Scout Motors”), formed to craft the next generation of all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs, announced today the company will establish its Scout Innovation Center in Novi, Michigan. This research and development facility will house Scout Motors’ growing Product, Design and Engineering teams and members of cross-functional support teams.

“Our new vehicles will honor Scout’s hard-working heritage while injecting fresh American ingenuity to create a new era of iconic all-purpose vehicles,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Scout Motors. “As we design and engineer our vehicles, Michigan is the perfect place to establish our Innovation Center due to its deep automotive roots, continued investment in innovation and ability to attract and train a talented, diverse workforce.”

Michigan is leading the charge to position the U.S. as a global EV/mobility competitor through increased manufacturing capacity, research and development and the state’s ranking as first in the nation for mobility-related patents. Last year, the state attracted over $14 billion in electric vehicle and battery investments while developing programs to train and employ the next generation of talent in the EV/mobility sector.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Scout Motors’ new R&D facility to Michigan, creating 200 good-paying engineering jobs right here in Michigan. Winning this investment proves that Michigan offers the best opportunity for automotive companies – from R&D to manufacturing,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Scout Motors’ investment in the Scout Innovation Center is supported by a Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Scout Motors to Michigan as we continue to secure our position as the leader in future mobility and electrification. This project represents the kind of R&D investment that continues to put Michigan in a position to win through a Make It in Michigan strategy,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Scout Motors’ trucks and rugged SUVs will be built on a newly designed all-electric platform, engineered to deliver credible capability and off-road prowess, with a focus on ground clearance, approach angles, robust axles, payload capacity, all-electric range, and new digital features.

Scout Motors has now hired nearly 300 employees since its inception in 2022. Current career opportunities can be found on the Scout Motors careers page.

JLL, led by Vice Chairman Greg Lubar and Executive Managing Director Matt Jackson, represented Scout Motors in the site selection and coordination with the State of Michigan.

To learn more about Scout Motors, visit www.scoutmotors.com.

Is there an incentive to detaching R&D from production? I’d think the company being in one area would make a lot of sense. Is this just a nod to the historic automotive past in Michigan? Is there a need to be near the rest of the industry?

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

Is there an incentive to detaching R&D from production? I’d think the company being in one area would make a lot of sense. Is this just a nod to the historic automotive past in Michigan? Is there a need to be near the rest of the industry?

This will be where our Engineering/Product/Design teams will be located. Detroit makes sense with the talent pool there and the number of suppliers/vendors in the area.

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

Something to close out 2023 and a tip to 2024 being a big year for Scout Motors…

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

[Bodie]

Oooooh yeah!

 

[Harris005]

Something to close out 2023 and a tip to 2024 being a big year for Scout Motors…

Happy New Year Everyone!

Summer of 2024.... picturing fireworks in the background celebrating America, and the American made new Scout!

 

[IdahoJOAT]

"Merica!

 

[OleScout]

Jamie, just an FYI, Summer 2024 is June 20th at 4:51pm. All jokes aside, great job on the video. This has reignited some excitement.

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

Jamie, just an FYI, Summer 2024 is June 20th at 4:51pm. All jokes aside, great job on the video. This has reignited some excitement.

LOL. I would expect after that date, but let's see how this all shakes out. Meanwhile, we will have other things to talk about between now and then...

 

[JohnnyScout]

This will be where our Engineering/Product/Design teams will be located. Detroit makes sense with the talent pool there and the number of suppliers/vendors in the area.

Majes sense ro me. If you want to "steal" E & PD talent and not uproot their families to the hinterlands you have to provide them with anew venue just down the street.

Sure $1,000,000 would go 10x as far in SC as in MI but you go where the talent is

 

[JohnnyScout]

Scout Motors can take a highly successful cue from reservation programs recently such as the Bronco 6G Which collected an initial 165,000 reservations.( which I reserved for $100 on release day and now have 40k miles) and Ineos Grenadier, which asjed for $400 and garnered enough reservations to make the US a priority for its French- built SUV.

Ford has unfortunately fallen short in deliveries and accessories.

A similar reservation system but with real production capability in mind, and Day One with SUV and pickup versions at once and name your deposit. I am ready to be near thd front of the line with not even a prototype to see.

 

[Bodie]

Scout so far has the advantage of not having to deal with an existing dealer network. They can do direct sales like Tesla, start dealerships or use existing VW, Audi or even Porsche dealers but with whatever rules they want to establish. I followed the Ford Bronco struggle which the dealers made worse.

 

[JohnnyScout]

Ford even promised promoted concept of Bronco specific outbuildings. Not seeing that.

Certainly the existing VAG network would be a promising Starr
But look at over half of Buick dealers taking a buyout rather than invest in EV only Branding. Ineos is hooking up with whomever shows interest for the Grenadier. It does make sense to piggyback Scout onto dealers ready versed in EV but production capacity can eventually support full stand alone network

 

[J Alynn]

Scout so far has the advantage of not having to deal with an existing dealer network. They can do direct sales like Tesla, start dealerships or use existing VW, Audi or even Porsche dealers but with whatever rules they want to establish. I followed the Ford Bronco struggle which the dealers made worse.

Yeah-the Ford thing was ugly. Had my deposit down week one. Sat on it for 8 months then my dealer asked if I’d give it up so they could grab a lot model. I did to help them and 6 months later when my daughter wanted one they took care of her but so many people getting screwed by the Ford approach to reservations