Regeneration Paddle?

[Milo63]

Bolt driver, day two reservation.

Just checking if the Slate has a steering wheel regen paddle like my Bolt or is it just on/off electron pedal?

Looking forward to the 24th, just added a roof rack to my base Slate as the only option.

Search indicates not.

 

[knickers]

I doubt it. That would be adding parts/processes/cost, where their main goal is reducing costs at all cost 😅 This is the best angle I could find of the back of the steering wheel from their 3d views.

 

[knickers]

One thing I really hope they share in the diy spirit, is an SDK/API/programming interface to the car's control system. Because it would be really awesome if the aftermarket could make something like a Regen paddle. Slate already makes the cruise control and media control buttons that slot in the steering wheel, it would be fun for a paddle to mount on the back side. It could connect to the phone over Bluetooth, interface with the slate app, and dynamically change the regen settings.

 

[danielt1263]

One thing I really hope they share in the diy spirit, is an SDK/API/programming interface to the car's control system.

I asked them about a documented API so that independent developers could write apps. The response I got was that they hadn't really thought about it, but it would really add to the DIY ethos they are striving for.

 

[Shrink36s]

I doubt it. Do some searching for, and watching, videos. I believe in one they talk about the regen not being adjustable. Maybe that was confirmed here in another thread. Try a search.

 

[danielt1263]

I doubt it. Do some searching for, and watching, videos. I believe in one they talk about the regen not being adjustable. Maybe that was confirmed here in another thread. Try a search.

It was in the Jay Leno interview.

And obviously it has regen like most electric vehicles. Is it adjustable regen or just full on or full off?

It's not adjustable regen.

 

[IHeartSimple]

An exposed API would be a horrible liability exposure.

 

[kvermeer]

An exposed API would be a horrible liability exposure.

Nonsense, don't listen to what you're being told to think by anti-repair companies pushing proprietary services.

It was only after manufacturers became able to lock down vehicle maintenance and modification behind cryptographic security that they started telling us it was for our own good and necessary to protect from liability. Old trucks, tractors, and appliances could be maintained, upgraded, or modified with a screwdriver, crescent wrench, a pair of wire strippers, a welder, and a grinder.

If someone plugs into the OBDII port with a USB adapter, sets the regen_pct parameter from 50% to 1%, and then they get poor range or coasts into someone, whose fault is that? Theirs, same as if they crawled under a truck and crimped the brake lines closed.

It's foolish to lock down repair and maintenance behind a paywall because some high-paid lawyer might convince a few foolish jurors that no one should be permitted to take care of a vehicle they ostensibly own.

 

[solartogo]

An exposed API would be a horrible liability exposure.

That all depends on what such an API would expose.

 

[KJRaven]

I'm confident that aftermarket developers and enthusiasts will eventually crack the vehicle's programming; since it’s unlikely they are relying entirely on proprietary hardware, I doubt their software is impenetrable either. It may take some time, but where there is a will, there is a way.

I believe opening the truck up to these kinds of modifications would be incredible. Given that it already includes automatic braking, it’s reasonable to think that features like adaptive cruise control could be achievable through third-party hardware, such as a Comma.ai device. I’m currently tempted to buy a Comma unit for a road trip in my minivan this summer, and if I move forward with purchasing a Slate, I’d love to tinker with it and see what functionality I can unlock.

 

[kvermeer]

I'm confident that aftermarket developers and enthusiasts will eventually crack the vehicle's programming; since it’s unlikely they are relying entirely on proprietary hardware, I doubt their software is impenetrable either. It may take some time, but where there is a will, there is a way.

They're almost certainly reliant on automotive-rated microcontrollers with (optional) TrustZone hardware security fuses. Those are pretty much unbreakable without a scanning electron microscope. Your best hope would be to reverse-engineer the control unit and replace it with one that does basically the same thing, but that approach is only used (AFAIK) with racecars and custom builds.

third-party hardware, such as a Comma.ai device.

Slate doesn't have adaptive cruise control or an automated lane-keeping system from the factory. Openpilot/Comma.ai is a layer that works on top of those manufacturer-provided systems. There are no ports right now to vehicles that lack those options.

Not saying it can't be done, but you'd probably have to start with a "brain transplant" that took most of the sensors and controllers out of a Hyundai or something and emulated the rest of the vehicle with the Slate's body and drivetrain.

 

[JustChris]

I doubt it. Do some searching for, and watching, videos. I believe in one they talk about the regen not being adjustable.

For ICE drivers, like myself, I expect that will take some getting used to.

Definitely not a problem, just something to be aware of.

 

[IHeartSimple]

How many of us are old enough to remember what the establishment did to shut down DeLorean motor company?

Do we for a second doubt they'd love any opportunity to do something similar to Slate?

Even just one auto company can afford enough lawyers to take a run at Slate dozens of times, get some sort of "don't ship anything until we get around to a verdict"... dozens of times.

Arguments in court don't have to be legitimate or rational, they just have to win. Once. Slate would be foolish to expose any attack surface they don't have to. At least for a while. If they're successful and become well established, then maybe.

 

[Milo63]

For ICE drivers, like myself, I expect that will take some getting used to.

Definitely not a problem, just something to be aware of.

It's simply the momentum of the car pushing electrons back into the battery when you let off on the spark pedal.
The Bolt has a little regen hand paddle that can be used in lieu of brakes when you want to slow, the brakes are also 100% regen (no pad contact) for the first bit.

Just for fun go drive a used Bolt to get an idea of the feel.

 

[Milo63]

How many of us are old enough to remember what the establishment did to shut down DeLorean motor company?

Do we for a second doubt they'd love any opportunity to do something similar to Slate?

Even just one auto company can afford enough lawyers to take a run at Slate dozens of times, get some sort of "don't ship anything until we get around to a verdict"... dozens of times.

Arguments in court don't have to be legitimate or rational, they just have to win. Once. Slate would be foolish to expose any attack surface they don't have to. At least for a while. If they're successful and become well established, then maybe.

Fraud and cocaine?