Lucid hires former Apple exec amid software program struggles with Air sedan

Lucid Motors has appointed a former Apple Inc. govt, Derrick Carty, as vice chairman of platform software program engineering amid a slow rollout of key software program options on the EV startup’s Air sedan.

Carty’s tasks on the newly created put up embrace superior driving help techniques, audio, embedded software program, and techniques structure, Lucid mentioned a information launch.

“Carty brings many years of world expertise in software program growth and consumer interface experience to Lucid, together with 23 years with Apple, and most not too long ago as a marketing consultant for Lucid’s infotainment software program group,” the automaker mentioned.

Carty will report back to Michael Bell, Lucid’s senior vice chairman of digital.

In accordance with his LinkedIn profile, Carty joined Lucid in June and beforehand labored at his consulting agency, Carty Consulting. Previous to that, he held posts as director and senior director at Apple.

“Derrick’s wealth of expertise with techniques structure and his means to guide groups that create customer-friendly, easy-to-use software program interfaces is essential as we proceed to roll out new Lucid Air options by way of our over-the-air software program updates,” Bell mentioned within the launch.

Carty holds a bachelor’s diploma from Stanford College in pc science, Lucid mentioned.

Lucid’s Air sedan, which launched final 12 months from the automaker’s new factory in Arizona, has acquired sturdy reward from auto reviewers for its energy, consolation, dealing with, vary and effectivity.

Nonetheless, there even have been complaints from reviewers and early patrons regarding the six-figure sedan’s in-house software program as being sluggish, glitchy and incomplete.

“Lucid appears to have whiffed it in terms of the Air’s in-car tech and driver aids,” Edmunds mentioned in a overview on its web site. “Our check automotive was suffering from persistent Bluetooth connection errors on each iPhone and Android units.”

Edmunds additionally famous Lucid’s delays incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software program, which mirror smartphone functions like music, navigation and podcasts onto a automobile’s infotainment display.

Lucid, which has been commonly updating its automobile software program by way of its over-the-air functionality, has mentioned CarPlay and Android Auto will likely be coming this 12 months together with different enhancements.