Ergonomics / Human Factors Engineering on the Slate Truck

[cadblu]

Here is a screen shot from the prototype video depicting the interior of the 5 seat SUV variant. As is common in the auto industry, SA designed the interior for the majority of the driving population, better known as the fifth to 95th percentile, which covers persons approximately 5' to 6'4" tall. It appears that the rear seat passengers are 5th percentile, and the front passengers are 95th percentile. The front seats have plenty of room, and all controls are within easy reach of the driver. In other views, headroom is more than adequate. However, it is obvious that the rear seat should be reserved for children, not large adults. I would also like to see a video of getting three people in and out of the rear seat in a 2-door vehicle.

 

[Liontracks]

I would also like to see a video of getting three people in and out of the rear seat in a 2-door vehicle.

Agreed. On the rare chance I have more than one passenger, I’d like to see it in action.

 

[Karl Childers]

Good to know. I'm 6'3" and was hoping the driver's seat is accommodating.

 

[AKrietzer]

One of the early videos from about April 24 shows the guy sitting in the back seat, and I think they say he is 6' 5". The Mobile Mama video shows her sitting in the back seat, but she's not that tall. Neither video shows them getting in or out, which I would guess was not easy. I rode in the back seat a few years ago in a friend's Tacoma, and I would say that seat is only for small children. I was surprised how much room the Slate "appeared" to have in the videos.

 

[SLATEchad]

One of the early videos from about April 24 shows the guy sitting in the back seat, and I think they say he is 6' 5". The Mobile Mama video shows her sitting in the back seat, but she's not that tall. Neither video shows them getting in or out, which I would guess was not easy. I rode in the back seat a few years ago in a friend's Tacoma, and I would say that seat is only for small children. I was surprised how much room the Slate "appeared" to have in the videos.

Yeah, the Tacoma is awful as far as passenger space and comfort - and not just for the rear seat passengers. One of the main reasons I got rid of mine a couple years ago. The Slate does look like the rear seat comfort may be a little better, at least once you're in place, though I'm sure getting in and out will be a pain as it is in most seating that can't be directly accessed by a door. My family has 3 people, but the majority of the time, It'll just be me and my daughter taking her to and from school and she's big enough to sit in the front seat. If she was smaller, getting in and out also would likely be easier than for a grown adult. Personally it doesn't concern me, but for anyone who will have bigger teenagers or adults needing to sit in the back regularly, I could see the inconvenience being an issue.

 

[SLATEchad]

I've seen mention in other threads of a desire for a bench seat in the front. I would also like to see this, but it's pretty clear from this overhead view that it would only be good in a pinch for short drives around town. I still like the idea though.

 

[cadblu]

Also take notice how large the driver's left arm is.

Obviously, it's from cranking windows all day long.

 

[Benjamin Nead]

My hypothesis: the more people attempt to turn the Slate into something other than a basic pickup truck, the less they're going to be satisfied with the results. If people really want a vehicle that's consistently carrying more than two people, damn near every SUV - and the vast majority of pickup trucks now - have 4 doors.

I'm not going to go as far as professional auto "expert" Doug Demuro (I can't stand that guy, ever since he trashed the i-MiEV in one of his YouTube videos) when he declares that the Slate will fail because it's a 2-door. But, yeah, it isn't as if the market was specifically looking for an SUV that's harder to access the back seats in. I wouldn't be opposed to getting the SUV shell cover over the rear bed, but I would probably use it exclusively for dry cargo hauling.

Remember, also, that the shell cover requires the full roll bar (less elbow room back there for the extra passengers,) and legally required hookup of airbags once you install seats. Once you have the shell, roll bar, seats and rear airbags configured, are you going to want to spend an afternoon dismantling it just so you can have a regular pickup truck for an odd weekend or two? You're also going to need some clean, dry storage space outside of the vehicle for all that stuff when it's not bolted onto the truck.

 

[motorolas]

MotorTrend had the host sit in the back and it looks cramped. In the front seat he looked okay. The host is 6'10".

 

[Adam W]

My dad's 90s chevy S10 had two tiny jump seats that folded down and pointed inward. They were awful, even for a kid. Whatever slate does will be miles better than those.