Product enhancements that have been recently introduced in pre-production FF 91 vehicles, which are currently undergoing on-road testing, include the following.
A flexible Driver Control framework
To ensure the pace of OTA (over-the-air) updates do not outgrow hardware capabilities, FF has developed a unique flexible driver control framework. While building the steering wheel control experience, FF replaced the conventional single-action hardware buttons with generic 5-way controllers and designed a contextual-aware digital user experience to work hand-in-hand with the controllers. This effort allows drivers to control the interfaces without the limitation of pre-determined hardware functions. It also enables FF to continuously innovate on behalf of users without being constrained by hardware limitations.
OS-level integration with voice AI
To design the future of the in-car experience, FF is committed to delivering superior AI-enhanced voice functionalities. Guided by the company’s Voice First principle, FF is immerging its first-party voice assistant, the FFAI, deeply into the vehicle OS, enabling it to work omnipresently with as many user touch-points as possible. Carrying this mission, FF has built out the Overview – a dedicated “I/O screen” for the AI, where the input and output between the user and the AI is streamlined. This is supported by FF’s unique compound commands understanding capability.
Ability to share locations to the FF 91 from anywhere
With eleven displays inside the FF 91, sharing between displays has never been more critical. To exceed in this arena, FF has created a sharing experience called Sharedrop to allow content to travel more freely.
As a first step, FF is introducing an effortless phone-to-car sharing experience, allowing users the ability to share locations to the FF 91 via many popular apps like Yelp, similar to location sharing on phones. This experience works anywhere with an internet connection, so users can share whether they are inside or outside the vehicle.
Messaging playback
Staying informed while driving on the road is desired by many users, so FF has built out the incoming message readout function for many popular messaging apps like SMS, WhatsApp, WeChat, and more. FF is building the experience with full awareness of customers’ privacy and safety, so the message will only play when selected by users, and users can turn off the feature through settings at any time.
These new features represent just a selection of FF’s innovative software updates for the upcoming FF 91. The updates come as FF prepares to merge with Property Solutions Acquisition Corp. (“PSAC”) (NASDAQ: PSAC), a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”). The previously announced merger agreement, expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, will result in the combined company listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the new ticker symbol “FFIE”.
The proposed transaction validates FF’s vision to create a mobility ecosystem built upon innovations in technology and products. FF 91 features an industry leading 1,050 HP, 0-60 mph in less than 2.4 seconds, zero gravity seats with the largest 60-degree reclining angles and a revolutionary user experience designed to create a mobile, connected, and luxurious third Internet living space. FF 91 is targeted to launch within twelve months after closing of the merger.