A brand new electrical pickup truck is promising affordability and in depth customisation choices – reportedly enabled by additive manufacturing.
The deliberately simplistic Slate Truck, from Jeff Bezos-backed e-vehicle producer Slate, is claimed to be ‘so customisable’ it will possibly flip an EV 2-seat pickup, produced in a single configuration from its US-based manufacturing facility, right into a 5-seat SUV, with a roll cage, airbags, rear seat.
It’s additionally championing a DIY strategy to personalisation with over 100 connect factors inbuilt to permit drivers to select from and simply set up its vary of 100+ equipment and even 3D print their very own.
“The definition of what is inexpensive is damaged,” stated Slate CEO Chris Barman in a press launch. “Slate exists to place the ability again within the palms of shoppers who’ve been ignored by the auto trade. Slate is a radical truck platform so customizable that it will possibly rework from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV.”
In a video from MotorTrend, a choice of Slate 3D printed equipment might be seen, together with covers for the Slate Truck’s working lights, which Slate is reportedly making open supply to permit drivers to design and additively manufacture their very own elements. It additionally exhibits examples of 3D printed buttons, equipment to your keys and different ornamental parts which might be added to the truck’s modular inside.
It’s not the primary time an automotive firm has allowed prospects to personalise their vehicles with 3D printing – keep in mind BMW’s Mini Yours Customised sequence? – however the stage of customisation being supplied on what Slate refers to as its ‘Clean Slate’ automobile is a primary. Whereas the power to design and print your individual automobile elements comes with its personal studying curve – not everybody who pre-orders the Slate Truck will readily have their very own printer at residence – it may open up attention-grabbing potentialities for the automobile aftermarket when the gross sales start subsequent yr.
Slate Truck is at the moment in preproduction and is anticipated to retail for $20,000.
