This very long, seemingly impromptu video raises more questions than it answers - but the answers to those questions are promised so I guess we'll just need to wait and see...
It's not really 1:38 long because it ends with a long drive to In-and-Out Burger. The question I would have asked is how easy will it be to replace controllers around the car when the wires are connected to different parts of the circuit boards instead of using traditional connectors? Notes I made while watching: Co-CEO Chris Anthony: "Welcome" Aptera's closing crowd funding at the end of June Chris ironed-on Aptera logos onto his blue shirt himself The electrical team is working on the wiring harness Chris shows off the HVAC "air handler" mounted in the center of the dashboard area "We're pushing to get vehicle into production as quickly as possible." They want a drivetrain that's proven They've been working on a lot of ideas about how to make the vehicle the most efficient as possible "In-wheel motors for the long-term strategy is still something that we're working hard to make a reality, and something that we'll need for our rear wheel, so it's all part of the long-term plan." "Initial production, we feel we're on a very good path and we'll be able to announce something soon that we're in collaboration with a major manufacturer that is known for durability, reliability, and also efficiency." They licensed the "air handler" from a vehicle platform by Cherry Automotive, who builds hundreds of thousands of these per year. To save weight, instead of connectors, Aptera's using "board-to-wire connections"--something that's very new, but it's automotive grade and stands up to shake and vibe and 20-year durability. It's something you don't have to crimp a connector onto. Tinned wires are pressed into place and that's it, the board is connected. Instead of putting the boards in an enclosure, they're coated to resist humidity, wetness, dirt. Connectors are the #1 failure point in cars and motorcycles Chris shows off the Aptera's subwoofer for the first time The host emphasizes "The drivetrain IS fully nailed down. People think it's not nailed down, but it's fully sourced and engineered and is going through calibration now." Engineer JC comes to tell us about the zonal architecture with a centralized computing system that sends messages to the controllers around the car The architecture has 16 custom circuit boards, including 10 zonal controllers--she tells what different controllers will control The system reduces the amount of wiring. It uses fuses, not breakers Some modules don't turn on when not needed, such as when solar charging is taking place Solar engineer Reed comes to talk about the solar panels Nobody was making what Aptera required, so they had to design the panels themselves Solar cells connected together like to be work under the same solar conditions (eg. no differential shading) Seven strings of cells create 7 zones that can be controlled independently to balance performance The dash will have anti-reflective coating The large pieces of glass for the solar panels are expensive Aptera is also making solar panels for the Polydrops solar-powered camping trailer To replace a solar cell, the glass must be removed so the cell underneath can be replaced Chris shows off four patents posted on the wall upstairs Chris walks and walks to find Blake to talk about financing and funding Chris just pitched a bunch of US Capital investors the day they made this video Blake is getting Aptera ready to offer an IPO Chris hopes that will happen when Aptera delivers its first vehicle "Maybe Elon will come down and adopt us." The real-time chat commenters start writing "No Elon!" Blake says Aptera uses management software that lets a few people get a lot done. Blake believes the company will quickly move from the 6K (units-per-year) model to the 20K model Chris: "Banks don't want to give you money when you need money, they only want to give you money when you don't need money and it's kind of the same thing with the DOE (Department of Energy) Once we're in production and the sky is the limit, they're happy to extend financing and other options--it's a program built for big companies. Chris walks down the hall to the design department Jake is a graphic designer who's designing "merch," including socks, fanny pack, backpack, 1/18 scale Aptera model (complete with interior) He designs videos, too. He makes virtual-reality presentations to show investors the vehicle right in front of them Tiffany makes videos and interactive web pages illustrating Aptera's vision: Freedom. Launching later this summer A brief intro to the marketing and communications staff in their big room Down the "weird staircase" to the battery area where Tim works. He formerly worked at the battery company Chris founded Tim is testing the 6 battery modules for the PI (Production Intent) vehicle we're all waiting to see After the batteries pass testing, Tim will fit the modules into the frame that holds the batteries Chris expects Aptera's batteries to last more than 150,000 miles The host and hostess take an Aptera prototype to In-and-Out Burger They return with food for co-CEOs Chris Anthony and Steve Fambro The end.
