Let’s speculate about the dashboard details

[Johnologue]

The thing about the dash display is, it's appropriately small and minimal. It's more firmware than software (sorry if that's really inaccurate use of those terms, I don't know), it's really part of the vehicle-hardware basics.

It seems like most of the information the display is working with, possibly more, will be accessible to owners through the standard diagnostic OBD port at minimum (and, beyond minimum, it seems Slate's not-CEO founder has alluded to "publishing electrical and mechanical interfaces", whatever that might mean).

I remember some nifty Android app (Torque) that would let you plug in an OBD adapter and customize your own dashboard/gauges with that data. I remember really wanting to set it up to work with Android Auto, but never actually did it. 🤔

I'm looking forward to what aftermarket/community modules might be designed as more customizable interfaces and platforms for further tinkering.

 

[Luxrage]

I remember some nifty Android app (Torque) that would let you plug in an OBD adapter and customize your own dashboard/gauges with that data. I remember really wanting to set it up to work with Android Auto, but never actually did it. 🤔

I have an equivilant app, OBDlink, and I believe both work similarly. It was mostly helpful to me to use as a numerical engine temp readout as my Hondas either don't have a gauge, or have a large 'deadzone' before they start moving. It'll also crunch the numbers and give you a vague fuel economy estimate too.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

I remember some nifty Android app (Torque) that would let you plug in an OBD adapter and customize your own dashboard/gauges with that data. I remember really wanting to set it up to work with Android Auto, but never actually did it. 🤔

TorquePro is how I keep an eye on the cell voltages in my Spark.

 

[Kopsis]

I remember some nifty Android app (Torque) that would let you plug in an OBD adapter and customize your own dashboard/gauges with that data. I remember really wanting to set it up to work with Android Auto, but never actually did it. 🤔

I used Torque Pro in the past but switched to Car Scanner Pro when I got my EV6 because it had more complete support for Kia EV PIDs at the time. Both are really good apps and well worth the modest fee for the Pro versions.

I pair with an OBDLink CX Bluetooth OBD2 interface. If you go this route, be careful in choosing your OBD2 dongle. Some are constantly available for pairing and have well-known pairing codes making it easy for someone to connect from outside the vehicle. Look for one that has a time limit on pairing after power up, or a physical button to initiate pairing. Also look for one that recognizes vehicle power state and goes into a low-power mode to minimize drain on the 12V battery.

 

[dmon4u]

We need a PDF of an Owner’s Manual: ! They can always upgrade it as they go along !

 

[tubes]

The thing about the dash display is, it's appropriately small and minimal. It's more firmware than software (sorry if that's really inaccurate use of those terms, I don't know), it's really part of the vehicle-hardware basics.

As a former firmware engineer of 30 years, I approve your message.

Through my career (not automotive), I wrote firmware at the very bottom (micro-micro code that actually made the multiply operation work) to the top (cycling through a simple screen). In my book, once you start throwing pictures up on a graphical display, that cuts to software. But people have differing opinions. Your summary of "vehicle-hardware basics" is excellent.

 

[bartflossom]

Found a pic of an alternate screen on a ride along video.

SAE youtube page

 

[Johnologue]

I pair with an OBDLink CX Bluetooth OBD2 interface. If you go this route, be careful in choosing your OBD2 dongle. Some are constantly available for pairing and have well-known pairing codes making it easy for someone to connect from outside the vehicle. Look for one that has a time limit on pairing after power up, or a physical button to initiate pairing. Also look for one that recognizes vehicle power state and goes into a low-power mode to minimize drain on the 12V battery.

I went with the ultimate in wireless security - none at all, using a wired USB connector. You wouldn't want to deal with Bluetooth latency on your dash, drain the battery with the wireless power use, or have those security issues. Mostly, it was just cheaper.

Problem is, that precluded charging the phone and connecting to Android Auto, you've got to manage that cable in some way, and it means you can't close the OBD/fuse panel or use the 3D printed copies people modified to fit the more popular Bluetooth adapters; and then, I never liked using the sort of flimsy stick-on thing I got to mount my phone more in line of sight...

 

[KevinRS]

The green foot on pedal symbol appears to be an indicator to press brake pedal.

 

[EV Trek]

The green foot on pedal symbol appears to be an indicator to press brake pedal.

Could indicate if Regenerative braking is on. I watched a video this morning and the Slate rep said that Regen would be selectable.

 

[KevinRS]

Could indicate if Regenerative braking is on. I watched a video this morning and the Slate rep said that Regen would be selectable.

Searching for foot on pedal indicator light shows pages showing a green symbol very similar to this for a press brake indicator, that's what I'm going by. I guess the image of the green symbol came from elsewhere though. Color is important. A similar foot in a circle in amber means press clutch, and Slate doesn't have that.

One of the videos mentioned Slate having Auto hold, but the symbol for that is an A in a circle, and I'm not seeing that anywhere here.

 

[EV Trek]

Searching for foot on pedal indicator light shows pages showing a green symbol very similar to this for a press brake indicator, that's what I'm going by. I guess the image of the green symbol came from elsewhere though. Color is important. A similar foot in a circle in amber means press clutch, and Slate doesn't have that.

One of the videos mentioned Slate having Auto hold, but the symbol for that is an A in a circle, and I'm not seeing that anywhere here.

My Equinox EV has just a button for auto hold and when it activates it says Hold in the instrument display.

 

[KevinRS]

My Equinox EV has just a button for auto hold and when it activates it says Hold in the instrument display.

A button? then how is it auto?
From what I have read, auto hold is something like press the brake, that light goes on, and you can take your foot off and the truck doesn't move until you take action, even on a hill.

 

[ClayJar]

Could indicate if Regenerative braking is on. I watched a video this morning and the Slate rep said that Regen would be selectable.

I think we can use deductive reasoning to make a strong case that the indicator is a caution light that alerts the driver when regenerative braking/one-ish-pedal driving is off.

1. The indicator lights up amber, putting it in the in-between seriousness level -- not just a notice like "your headlights are on", but not as significant as "the genie is about to grant your wish for a new engine".
2. It seems to have "OFF" below its symbol (and each light is a simple binary indicator, so it's not like it could ever show green without the OFF in this application).
3. It is on the bottom row with the brake and parking brake indicators, so logically, it is reasonable for it to do with braking of some sort.
4. It may look like one of several symbols that have to do with regen, one-ish-pedal driving, and general footsies.
5. And most significantly to me, it seems pretty much mandatory to have something to tell the driver, "Hey, you normally let me handle slowing down, but due to my current battery conditions or what have you, that's on you right now. Good luck!"

Regen and one-ish-pedal driving seems likely to be the default state of the Slate, but since there are conditions in which it may be unavailable, there's got to be an alert of some kind, eh?

(As I understand it, something like driving downhill in the mountains on long, steep grades with your battery already totally topped out at 100% could be one case when regen simply isn't available. Other transient conditions can also exist.)

 

[EV Trek]

A button? then how is it auto?
From what I have read, auto hold is something like press the brake, that light goes on, and you can take your foot off and the truck doesn't move until you take action, even on a hill.

You can turn on auto hold when you have regen turned off so you don’t have to hold the brake when stopped. If you turn it off it’s like creep mode. With regen on it works all the time no matter if that button is on or off.