In an unexpected twist of events, Fisker Ocean SUV owners have taken matters into their own hands after the sudden collapse of Fisker Inc. in June 2024. With the company’s bankruptcy announcement, 11,000 vehicle owners were left without support, as the company’s software-dependent vehicles lost critical functionalities.
Fisker Ocean owners, refusing to let their vehicles become obsolete, banded together to form a grassroots movement that has turned into a unique, open-source car company operation. Owners reverse-engineered software, hacked into networks, and established tools on GitHub, essentially reviving their cars independently.
Unforeseen Downfall of Fisker Inc.
Fisker Inc., once seen as a potential competitor to Tesla, met a swift demise, leaving behind debts exceeding $1 billion. The company had previously garnered over 31,000 Ocean reservations but managed to produce only 11,000 units before going bankrupt. Reviews of the vehicles noted their hardware excellence but criticized the software, which was not up to standard.
The downfall was attributed to Fisker’s reliance on a cloud-based architecture that left cars non-functional once the company’s servers went offline. Critical systems like airbags and brakes required regular connectivity to Fisker’s servers, which were no longer operational.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin commented on this situation on X, emphasizing the need for more open-source practices in the automotive industry, stating: “We really need much more open source in the auto industry. Really sad that ‘if the manufacturer disappears, the car is useless now’ has seemingly so quickly become a default.”
Formation of Fisker Owners Association
In response to the crisis, about 4,000 Fisker Ocean owners united to form the Fisker Owners Association (FOA). This nonprofit organization quickly evolved into a collaborative effort, blending the roles of a car club, tech startup, and auto manufacturer.
They began by reverse-engineering the proprietary software and sharing knowledge about firmware flashing. Bulk purchases of replacement parts were organized, and repair initiatives like the “Flying Doctors” program in Europe provided on-location assistance to keep vehicles operational.
In the United States, the FOA fought to ensure that safety recalls were addressed in bankruptcy proceedings and worked with insurers to maintain coverage for these vehicles. According to Auto Connected Car News, their efforts resulted in a functioning support network within six months.
Evolution into an Open-Source Ecosystem
The technical strides made by the Fisker community have resulted in a burgeoning open-source ecosystem. Developers like MichaelOE have created tools such as a Home Assistant integration for Fisker vehicles, while others have documented processes for decoding vehicle diagnostics.
On platforms like GitHub, CAN bus files have been shared to aid in vehicle diagnostics and operations, and forums such as CH4RGE and Ocean Forums host discussions about expanding these efforts further.
Challenges and Uncertain Future
A potential deal with American Lease, which had acquired Fisker’s inventory and software, fell apart over disputes about cost-sharing for software services. As a result, connectivity features for Fisker vehicles were revoked, posing additional challenges for owners.
This scenario is not unique to Fisker. Other electric vehicle startups, like Nikola, face similar financial challenges, prompting calls for regulatory measures that protect consumers and their vehicles even if manufacturers dissolve.
Proposals include creating software escrow funds and open-source mandates to ensure continued functionality of software-dependent vehicles. European automakers are exploring shared open-source software platforms to prevent similar situations.
Original Story at electrek.co