Seattle Space Needle event - Slate truck photos, impressions, answers

[Trace26]

It's interesting they went the traditional power steering option, if they did. My '11 Fit's electrical power steering has been pretty much foolproof, and the tiny assist motor doesn't take up much space on the rack itself.

It does feel a little numb compared to other cars I've driven, but it's also a half-minivan-half-hatchback so I wasn't expecting miracles.

The rack in the Slate looks very similar to that one.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Closer to 4.25” when you account for the flip up door. That’s just the opening. The bottom panel inside the compartment dropped down a few more inches and the rep showed me it pulled out and he was able to reach his hole hand down behind the lower dash. Could probably fit an amp AND a sub in there.

Ooo nice I hope they keep that amount of space gives me some ideas 💡

 

[E90400K]

Are you able to identify the steering unit? I haven't seen one like that.

It sure looks like the motor is right there at the base of the steering column. I see no hydraulic pipes, hoses, or a reservoir.

Thanks for grabbing the screen shot.

 

[KevinRS]

Got to keep in mind, this isn't even a beta, it's a prototype, with a bunch of 3d printed parts. They could easily modify some of these detail areas before they even get to the pre-production testing units for crash testing and similar.
Also, things like the dash cubby, with it's sockets, seems like a likely area for people to modify, make custom parts, etc. For example you could easily put in a multi outlet USB charger/hub in there, with all the ports you want.
It was not long ago I saw a post that they had a job listing for a seat designer, so the current seats may just be off the shelf placeholders. For one thing they probably don't have the safety systems like airbags in any of the prototypes.

 

[E90400K]

Well, if you look at the area below circled in blue, that cut hose appears to be directly on top of the steering rack. When they removed the frunk plastic panels to expose the plumbing / electricals I imagine that section of hose (removed from this view) would reach up to the top of the frunk to the area with the 2 small caps. Large cap w/w fluid, 2 small caps for topping off brake fluid and coolant for thermal management system (removed from this view).

I always thought that was the drain for the frunk.

 

[Luxrage]

It sure looks like the motor is right there at the base of the steering column. I see no hydraulic pipes, hoses, or a reservoir.

Thanks for grabbing the screen shot.

Yeah, that looks just like the electric rack for the Fit. Looks like what might be power coming in on the bottom, looks like the rack has a little cutout for it on the bottom there. I don't see the usual pair of lines coming out of it for hydraulics.

The three fill ports. Brake fluid, windshield washer fluid... and battery coolant? Are these liquid cooled battery systems sealed or do they have their own fill/drain for flushes?

 

[Driven5]

Seats:
I didn't spend enough time to tell if I particularly dislike them, but did spend enough time to tell that I didn't particularly like them. The best seats (car, couch, cycle, etc) maintain equal comfort the whole time seated. Getting more comfortable the longer you're in it is almost as dumb as getting less comfortable the longer you're in it. Being harder, flatter, and less comfortable than the many vehicle seats that are already firm and supportive enough to provide constant all-day comfort is not a great starting point.

They said not to expect much different from the production seats, and that comfort changes (similar to heating elements)might be easiest addressed through the easy-change seat covers, but they also admitted at multiple points in the conversation that there is plenty of opportunity for things to change still too.

Floor Panels:
Having lots of removable and deformable panels inside and out is one of the challenges (on multiple fronts) that they've chosen to face with their design philosophy. I'm not saying it's bad, but it is a major risks and only time will tell how well (or not) they pull it off long term.

Rack:
I was as surprised as anybody at the suggestion of an electro-hydraulic system being cheaper. While I find potential hydraulic system problem arguments to generally be substantially overblown, it's also certainly possible the rep misspoke. There's 3 caps, and the 3 fluids they mentioned didn't include brake, which is also a type of hydraulic that would be in the same vicinity. I suppose the fourth could require panels removed and being completely exposed for some reason though. Off hand, I don't know of any (especially cheap) hydraulic racks that don't have external hard lines, and I do see wiring going to it, so EPS in that oversize pinion housing still seems plausible. Manual rack would be fantastic if this were light enough to do so with an acceptably quick ratio.

 

[sodamo]

Driven
were you able to get a sense of space between seats. Could something like that Ford center seat work?

 

[Mac-Tyson]

One of them has the USB symbol and a lightening bolt, the other has just a lightening bolt.

wonder if there will be updates that you can download to a usb drive and plug into the slate or something?

 

[Driven5]

Were you able to get a sense of space between seats. Could something like that Ford center seat work?

That depends. How many people do you know with 8" wide butts?

 

[sodamo]

That depends. How many people do you know with 8" wide butts?

My dogs 😁
Personally, I have it in the console configuration 99% of time.

 

[E90400K]

Rack:
I was as surprised as anybody at the suggestion of an electro-hydraulic system being cheaper. While I find potential hydraulic system problem arguments to generally be substantially overblown, it's also certainly possible the rep misspoke. There's 3 caps, and the 3 fluids they mentioned didn't include brake, which is also a type of hydraulic that would be in the same vicinity. I suppose the fourth could require panels removed and being completely exposed for some reason though. Off hand, I don't know of any (especially cheap) hydraulic racks that don't have external hard lines, and I do see wiring going to it, so EPS in that oversize pinion housing still seems plausible. Manual rack would be fantastic if this were light enough to do so with an acceptably quick ratio.

I agree with @Luxrage , I see an electrical harness going into the bottom of the rack. It doesn't look like the wire gauge is big enough for 10 or so amps at 12VDC, but maybe it is 48V, who knows. I do not see any hydraulic components for a hydraulic rack. I think the Slate representative misspoke.

I have two cars with EPS, my Z4 and my '22 Bronco. I've been driving various BMW 3-series for 36 years, so really good hydraulic steering is normal to me. The Bronco's EPS is extremely good regarding feel and precision. I bought the Z4 used. I didn't even know it had EPS until I went looking for the PS oil reservoir to check the fluid level after I brought it home - LOL. It's that good.

There is no reason to not expect the Slate can have good EPS.

 

[brian10x]

Honestly, I'd rather an adjustable EPS over HSP. I've always found hydraulic spongy and a hydraulic system is just one more thing to do maintenance on.
Actually, I'd prefer manual steering, but I'm a crazy person. Lol

Add me to manual steering. Simple, cheaper, and how much effort can it be? I'm an actual MAN.