Add-ons, accessories, customization

[Qiang]

I will see whether I can add a separator between the cockpit and the cargo space.

Will also copy Curtis’ design to raise the seat.

[curtis-cibinel]

Really quite simple; just need a longer version of the bolts used for the seats and spacer block. Kinda silly that vehicle specific kits exist but nothing really complicated. https://a.co/d/eGeVAuz

[Glen]

How about removable skid plates or other types of armor for camping/off-roading? They add weight, and in the case of Aptera’s curved body would be a manufacturing challenge but oh what a repair savings for an unseen trail rock or hole.

[george-huff]

A cooler for the third wheel recess. Example project. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/251809532/worlds-first-portable-freezer-for-tesla-sub-trunk?ref=ph5.go2.fund&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=ph5.go2.fund

[Glen]

That’s a good idea. A cooler that keeps a few items cold would be awesome. I have a small Engle refrigerator that draws about 45 watts while running and gets down to below freezing. It’s an actual refrigerator with a compressor and not a peltier element as the latter requires more energy to run..

[rrg123]

I would like to be able to attach my laptop to the screens via HDMI (image and speaker audio) to work remotely when I am parked. I could work in the car forever with power from the sun or watch movies when I am stuck in the woods when it’s raining.

[curtis-cibinel]

This would be a great solution to allow Aptera to have good options to use the screen when charging or camping without the expense of software development. Many phones and tablets can also use HDMI out via usb adapters. Highly unlikely to be in the launch edition but it would be a good improvement they could make eventually. For road safety reasons it can’t be allowed to work when driving.

[Mike80]

Hi Everyone,

The dedicated cargo area in the Aptera is a large space that is unique to vehicles of its size and type and could be very useful to delivery services and fleets. To optimize this attribute and increase its useability to these owners, the cargo area could be augmented with Aptera or third party-designed hardware. I didn’t find evidence this is already in development, so I’m hoping that the Aptera community will have feedback and ideas for both optimization and implementation of this use case. Effective solutions could also be useful for other vehicles with a similar large storage area. Solutions to make the Aptera a more effective cargo and delivery vehicle should ideally prioritize the optimization of the time and physical effort required for cargo loading and removal. Below are some of the issues I identified where improvements could make loading cargo more efficient.

1) The cargo area is rectangular and has a length of 4.5 (72 in.) feet and width of 3.1 feet (50 in). Quick access to cargo is practical from the back of the vehicle but not for cargo that is placed toward the front of the vehicle. It appears that cargo could not be easily moved from the front of the cargo area to the back when the user is standing behind the vehicle.

2) The depth of the cargo area prevents cargo from moving directly out of the back without lifting over the back lip, requiring each cargo item to be lifted several inches. This may not represent a major issue but it’s not as efficient or ergonomic as unloading cargo from a vehicle with an open back.

Here are some hardware attributes that could be potentially beneficial:

inexpensive

minimal parts

relatively compact size

light weight

easily removable

easily storable

self-contained

self-securing and not requiring permanent fasteners

mechanically simple

not dependent on electricity or communication

does not block use of OEM cargo restraints

Any ideas or feedback about this topic would be really appreciated!

Mike

• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by  Michael McLean.
• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by  Michael McLean.
• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by  Gabriel Kemeny.
• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by  Gabriel Kemeny.

[curtis-cibinel]

After spending about half an hour in the experience Aptera VR experience (highly recommended BTW) I am absolutely convinced a camera pointed down at the right side wheel pant will be essential for parallel parking (and helpful for being centered in normal spaces). The display could be mounted under the normal Aptera display and shouldn’t interfere with either phones or cups. The best camera location would be a wide angle camera mounted in the passenger side fixed window (black 3d printed mount should be quite discreet).https://experienceaptera.com/xr-picker.html

Approximate camera view would make seeing curbs and parking lines pretty clear. I couldn’t get it perfect with PC based viewers even with downloading the glb files but it should give an idea.

Love the the amazing models and VR experience – https://experienceaptera.com/xr-picker.html

[Greek]

Thank you and thank you again Curtis. It has always been my concern with parallel parking in Chicago. I hope APTERA is aware of this and if not, I hope that your post becomes recognized. Unless you have seen the APTERA in person, it’s hard to realize how big the wheel pants are. Aptera, as far as I know, has not illustrated parallel parking on any video.

[martin-w]

That’s a good thing, the Tesla SeXy Nob for the Aptera?

See this Video, German Language,

https://youtu.be/FTMNffr7qIw?si=sJIim2ULmDK2dMYw

Video in English Language,

https://youtu.be/qaDQdWFpcGA?si=BT2aXn5DX_Z-pKwo

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 4 days ago by  Martin Waldispühl.

[evan-craig]

That reminds me of the iDrive Controller in my BMW i3, except that you have to look at the S3XY knob to see what it does, while the iDrive controls the main display. Either way, the Aptera should definitely have a heads-up control like this that enables navigation and control of the car’s systems without arms-length use of a touch pad, and the aftermarket S3XY might fill that gap if Aptera provides the plug for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oCXwjqQ7P4
I have posted this on this forum before, but it seems to disappear.

[craig-merrow]

Clever product! That addresses one of my complaints about the Model 3 we rented last fall: scrolling/hunting through several screens to get to different functions. I think (hope) Aptera will make their screen more intuitive and easier to use.

[scott-ullerich]

Yes clever product that would have been very helpful in the early days of Tesla, but not so much now. These days I can activate and/or adjust just about anything with my voice. I can also customize the lower strip of the touchscreen with always there buttons for whatever functions suit me. When I press the end of stalk button for wipers the controls pop up right on the lower left of the screen. Same thing for autopilot. The steering wheel scroll wheels cover music functions and autopilot speed controls.

Bottom line, really no reason to interface with the touchscreen while driving anymore.

[Sam]

For safety sake, nearly everything on the screen should be made null to the touch while in motion.

[Dreyzee]

I hope Aptera will have 3D fit mats for sale when we pick our vehicles.