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[weavahVBC]

They seem to try and go “futuristic” when retro is right there waiting for them.

Automakers idea of "futuristic" is something they saw in a Playstation 1 game.

I don't think everything needs to be retro - there's plenty of articles about the pitfalls of nostalgia - the funny thing is, even these "futuristic" designs are based on the future from a retro/80s point of view. The Tesla unapologetically (for better or worse) took the design of the Cybertruck from Blade Runner.

There's definitely a place for taking design cues from the past - I admittedly like the Scout because it feels like a throwback (so I'm part of the nostalgia problem? lol), but it also feels current - but I also think automakers need to keep moving forward with their designs. Hard lines & angles aren't inherently bad, the issue is when they go too far to the extreme (and same can be said for going too retro).

 

[maynard]

I don't think everything needs to be retro - there's plenty of articles about the pitfalls of nostalgia - the funny thing is, even these "futuristic" designs are based on the future from a retro/80s point of view. The Tesla unapologetically (for better or worse) took the design of the Cybertruck from Blade Runner.

There's definitely a place for taking design cues from the past - I admittedly like the Scout because it feels like a throwback (so I'm part of the nostalgia problem? lol), but it also feels current - but I also think automakers need to keep moving forward with their designs. Hard lines & angles aren't inherently bad, the issue is when they go too far to the extreme (and same can be said for going too retro).

I guess you're right - but I'm old and I just seem to like retro! I loved that Ford brought back the 60s designs in the Mustang, always wanted one so that's probably what skews my brain a bit...

 

[jeremydunworth]

Automakers idea of "futuristic" is something they saw in a Playstation 1 game.

Or minecraft

Tesla Cybertruck is an all-electric pickup seemingly designed in Minecraft

Last night, much of the world stayed up to watch the livestream of Tesla's all-new vehicle -- the Tesla Cybertruck

www.bmwblog.com

I have never played minecraft, but I understand it is very popular with the kids these days.

Insert gif: hello my fellow kids.jpg

 

[jeremydunworth]

Honestly not sure if this is a joke or not. the GTR last model year was 2024, seems... recoverable?

When I bought the Scout in my profile photo circa 2005, there were a couple of other vehicles I also considered... Nissan Frontier (ruled out because I already had a Toyota Tacoma as my daily), Land Rover Discovery (too expensive, reliability concerns, would rather have had a D90 but those were too hard to find), Toyota FJ Cruiser (floor didn't lay flat for emergency car camping), and Nissan Xterra, which almost fit the bill, but I went with the Scout because of the removable top. The Xterra was a very very close 2nd place though and I had friends who were very happy with them.

Also, the Nissan Design Center used to be down the street from my office, actually it is still there: https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/nissan-design-america

Nissan is a credible competitor who I would not dismiss.

Ok, I remembered why I thought Nissan Design USA was no longer in San Diego, because they announced they are closing up by March 2026 and moving to Los Angeles, which honestly, might be the kind of help they need

https://www.motor1.com/news/772519/nissan-two-design-studios-closing/

While I am not doing work work, my favorite Nissan is behind the technology curve story

Uzi Nissan Spent 8 Years Fighting The Car Company With His Name. He Nearly Lost Everything To Win - Jalopnik

Nissan the car company never really cared who Uzi Nissan was. Then it decided he had something it wanted very much—the website www.nissan.com, which he created for his small retail computer business in 1994—and it sued him for $10 million. When the two Nissans went to war, Uzi Nissan prevailed...

www.jalopnik.com

I'm not finding the version of the story now, but my favorite detail was Uzi Nissan had saved a receipt made out to Nissan Computer Company from Datsun, the name Nissan was using the USA prior to changing their branding.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I would be generally inclined to agree with your statement. However, there are other ways to use "AI" besides remixing already published work. For example neural networks for increasing simulation throughput at a likely cost in accuracy, which is generally ok because any skilled engineer knows simulations are only approximations of reality anyway. The article has this paragraph

"Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is the science of determining just how well a fluid flows around a given shape. CFD helps EVs go a little farther on a charge, and big trucks offer slightly improved wind resistance. Since 2018, a Swiss company called Neural Concept has been bringing the power of neural networks to the art of CFD. Tasks that formerly took hours on supercomputers can be simulated in minutes on GPUs like those from Nvidia."

Part of the challenge with understanding "AI" is that news articles tend to lump many different things together under the same term "AI", when in fact AI is just a buzzword and there are lots of different techniques, some useful some harmful that getting that label. So, and I'm guilty of this right now also, any serious discussion of AI usage should eschew the term AI and refer when possible to the specific technique being used (LLM, GenAI for videos, neural networks (RNN, CNN, DNN, etc), and so on).

I came to this post this morning to argue about the differences between “ai” and machine learning algorithms that feed various ways of approaching what the funding beggars, press, and anyone trying to grab attention in these times. But then I finished reading your post and figured I’d have to agree with you.

The specific use of NNs for CFD is something I played with in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The hardware wasn’t capable enough for good solutions at that time, but it had promise for greatly increasing computational speed—with, as you note, the danger of lower precision and accuracy. Now that the hardware has caught up, this is exactly the thing NNs are great for.

I have an intern who has been using CNNs for training algorithms to recognize the difference between smoke, dust, pollen, and other airborne particles in photographs taken by Forest Service (and other) cameras for early detection of wildfires.

Neither of these use-cases is “ai” as is popularly understood.

 

[weavahVBC]

I guess you're right - but I'm old and I just seem to like retro! I loved that Ford brought back the 60s designs in the Mustang, always wanted one so that's probably what skews my brain a bit...

That original redesign for the Mustang was AWESOME. And to clarify, I don't think it's necessarily bad - I also liked the Challenger retro design & the New Beetle was a fun spin on that classic - I just wouldn't want everything to be retro-ized. That's just the opposite end of the spectrum from the crazy futuristic designs we see, and I think variety is what is needed.

 

[cyure]

Okay now this is just too funny. We all have been talking about how big is the frunk, the tail gate area, etc. this dealer posted this on TikTok.

 

[jeremydunworth]

I came to this post this morning to argue about the differences between “ai” and machine learning algorithms that feed various ways of approaching what the funding beggars, press, and anyone trying to grab attention in these times. But then I finished reading your post and figured I’d have to agree with you.

The specific use of NNs for CFD is something I played with in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The hardware wasn’t capable enough for good solutions at that time, but it had promise for greatly increasing computational speed—with, as you note, the danger of lower precision and accuracy. Now that the hardware has caught up, this is exactly the thing NNs are great for.

I have an intern who has been using CNNs for training algorithms to recognize the difference between smoke, dust, pollen, and other airborne particles in photographs taken by Forest Service (and other) cameras for early detection of wildfires.

Neither of these use-cases is “ai” as is popularly understood.

1. Thank you.
2. Re: neither of these use-cases is "ai" as is popularly understood.

I agree, the important thing is they count as AI as far the funding agencies are concerned. At least, that is what I understand, I'm a bit adjacent to that area.

 

[speedrye]

1. Thank you.
2. Re: neither of these use-cases is "ai" as is popularly understood.

I agree, the important thing is they count as AI as far the funding agencies are concerned. At least, that is what I understand, I'm a bit adjacent to that area.

Somehow when a person reads everything on the internet and makes incorrect assumptions, they're a dumbass, but when computers do it, it's groundbreaking and we need to fund more of it. That seems to be what most people see as AI, the popular LLMs out there.

 

[jeremydunworth]

I don't think everything needs to be retro - there's plenty of articles about the pitfalls of nostalgia - the funny thing is, even these "futuristic" designs are based on the future from a retro/80s point of view. The Tesla unapologetically (for better or worse) took the design of the Cybertruck from Blade Runner.

There's definitely a place for taking design cues from the past - I admittedly like the Scout because it feels like a throwback (so I'm part of the nostalgia problem? lol), but it also feels current - but I also think automakers need to keep moving forward with their designs. Hard lines & angles aren't inherently bad, the issue is when they go too far to the extreme (and same can be said for going too retro).

I came here to share some of my dislike of Elon and his B.S. In fact I was going to say something like the Cybertruck has as much relation to Blade Runner as FSD has to Waymo... and well I said it anyway even though I found this article that arguably does show a relationship between a Syd Mead sketch for Blade Runner and the Cybertruck. I still think the car in Mr Mead's sketch is 1 million percent better looking that Elon's rolling aluminum monstrosity. But that's like just my opinion man.

The Cybertruck is a symbol of our time but can’t we imagine something better? - Archis

Diving into the unveil of Elon Musks’s Cybertruck, the futuristic spectacle in Bladerunner aesthetics. Opening up the conversation, reflecting on angular car design, historical influences, and discussing the impracticalities of Musk's take on the pick up truck. Questioning what a heavy, mass...

archis.org

The article is an interesting read.

 

[robothero]

Somehow when a person reads everything on the internet and makes incorrect assumptions, they're a dumbass, but when computers do it, it's groundbreaking and we need to fund more of it. That seems to be what most people see as AI, the popular LLMs out there.

AI isn't even making incorrect assumptions. It's retyping someone elses incorrect assumptions.

 

[cyure]

AI isn't even making incorrect assumptions. It's retyping someone elses incorrect assumptions.

Or just hallucinating and making things up all together.

 

[jeremydunworth]

Somehow when a person reads everything on the internet and makes incorrect assumptions, they're a dumbass, but when computers do it, it's groundbreaking and we need to fund more of it. That seems to be what most people see as AI, the popular LLMs out there.

I saw this description of Ray Kurzweil recently, and I think he is not the only one who deserves it. It is also just sitting there waiting to be used, as a colleague said. So I share it with you.

Word: Nostra-dumbass
Definition: When a high profile tech person repeatedly makes incorrect predictions.
Example usage: Ray Kurzweil is such a Nostra-dumbass, he published a book called "The Singularity Is Near" in 2005 and when it did not happen as predicted he published a new book "The Singularity Is Nearer" in 2024.

I'm not linking to the books, there is never a reason to advertise the works of Nostra-dumbass.

 

[nolen]

I came here to share some of my dislike of Elon and his B.S. In fact I was going to say something like the Cybertruck has as much relation to Blade Runner as FSD has to Waymo... and well I said it anyway even though I found this article that arguably does show a relationship between a Syd Mead sketch for Blade Runner and the Cybertruck. I still think the car in Mr Mead's sketch is 1 million percent better looking that Elon's rolling aluminum monstrosity. But that's like just my opinion man.

The Cybertruck is a symbol of our time but can’t we imagine something better? - Archis

Diving into the unveil of Elon Musks’s Cybertruck, the futuristic spectacle in Bladerunner aesthetics. Opening up the conversation, reflecting on angular car design, historical influences, and discussing the impracticalities of Musk's take on the pick up truck. Questioning what a heavy, mass...

archis.org

The article is an interesting read.

I kept seeing people saying this game is where he got it. Supposedly this design gets the highest scores for aerodynamics in this game

 

[jeremydunworth]

I kept seeing people saying this game is where he got it. Supposedly this design gets the highest scores for aerodynamics in this game

View attachment 15384

I've seen that before also, but I never realized it was an actual game!

You might actually be able to play it yourself here: https://classicreload.com/car-builder.html#
Or one of many other website if you just search for car builder v2.02: https://search.brave.com/search?q=car+builder+v2.02&source=desktop

Thanks for bringing this up, I did not know how to find it

 

[weavahVBC]

I came here to share some of my dislike of Elon and his B.S. In fact I was going to say something like the Cybertruck has as much relation to Blade Runner as FSD has to Waymo... and well I said it anyway even though I found this article that arguably does show a relationship between a Syd Mead sketch for Blade Runner and the Cybertruck. I still think the car in Mr Mead's sketch is 1 million percent better looking that Elon's rolling aluminum monstrosity. But that's like just my opinion man.

The Cybertruck is a symbol of our time but can’t we imagine something better? - Archis

Diving into the unveil of Elon Musks’s Cybertruck, the futuristic spectacle in Bladerunner aesthetics. Opening up the conversation, reflecting on angular car design, historical influences, and discussing the impracticalities of Musk's take on the pick up truck. Questioning what a heavy, mass...

archis.org

The article is an interesting read.

That article, and the sketches/concepts in it, is definitely interesting, but I could have sworn there was an actual scene with a truck even closer in design to the Cybertruck. Must be some kind of Mandela Effect situation and/or I'm blurring a bunch of sci-fi armored vehicles together (similar things in Aliens, Total Recall).

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Okay now this is just too funny. We all have been talking about how big is the frunk, the tail gate area, etc. this dealer posted this on TikTok.

View attachment 15380View attachment 15381View attachment 15382

I do not believe I could fit in the Scout Terra’s frunk.

I know I can fit in the Lightning frunk with the hood closed. I am 6-feet, 1-inch tall on a good day and 6-feet on a slouchy day.

Post in thread 'Bigger frunk'

Sep 10, 2025

A fully-grown adult (me) climbing into the Lightning’s frunk. I realized after the latch closed that I usually have my phone with me so I can open the frunk with it if I can’t find the emergency release button. It all worked out okay this time. Please forgive the several seconds it took for me to find the frunk button.

• SpaceEVDriver

• 
• 
• 

 

[cyure]

I do not believe I could fit in the Scout Terra’s frunk.

I know I can fit in the Lightning frunk with the hood closed.

Post in thread 'Bigger frunk'

Sep 10, 2025

A fully-grown adult (me) climbing into the Lightning’s frunk. I realized after the latch closed that I usually have my phone with me so I can open the frunk with it if I can’t find the emergency release button. It all worked out okay this time. Please forgive the several seconds it took for me to find the frunk button.

• SpaceEVDriver

• 
• 
• 

Well now we need someone from SM to climb in the frunk so we can see how much of them fits.

 

[speedrye]

I do not believe I could fit in the Scout Terra’s frunk.

We could make you fit, but we'd miss you around here.

Hopefully Scout finds a little extra space in there as they finalize the design. I was expecting more than some of the recent pictures have been showing.

 

[robothero]

You can fit anyone into the frunk with enough ingenuity...