THIS Truck is Designed Like LEGO's—This Could Change EVs Forever

[KevinRS]

I realized after I last posted and logged off, what the safety issue with manual keys only is.
They were considering manual keys only, but that means when you go out to the parking lot, you have to get the keys out, find the right key, and put it in the lock the right way up if it's really old fashioned.
That possibly involves delays, while you are standing around outside the car in the lot.

With modern fobs or a fob built into a key, as I am approaching my car, I reach into my pocket, and without stopping, or even pulling the key out, I press the button to unlock, take the last few steps and open the door and get in, and can lock the door immediately.

It was an issue where women actually were attacked while getting their keys out and unlocking the door, before remote fobs became commonplace.
This is also one of several items where they calculated making it standard was cheaper than making it an option.
For example they could have left out air conditioning, but since the battery needs cooling, little would be saved, especially if the design required the ability to add it, and then the optional add on would cost a lot more. Just throwing out numbers, but save $50 to leave it out, and then the add on costs hundreds.

 

[E90400K]

 

[E90400K]

The VW switch blade key fob would work perfectly here. A button to light up the car, button to precondition, and a metal blade key for the door locks.

 

[phidauex]

I think bladed keys are less reliable than electronic locks. The keys wear, the tumblers get gunked up over time - a modern solenoid is wildly reliable. Datapoint - my Tacoma (250k mi) barely opens with the key now on the drivers side due to slop in the mechanisms, and the passenger side is totally stuck. I'll fix it at some point but it will mean a fresh set of keys (cut from a code, not copied from the worn out keys) and probably new tumblers. Our Prius (210k mi) has never once had a problem with the fob or the electronic locks, other than changing the fob battery every few years. I had to open it the other day with the bladed backup key to replace the LV battery, and it was sticky and barely opened.

Same story with their windows - manual on the Tacoma, which get stuck frequently and I've had to replace the tracks on - and motorized on the Prius, which have had 0 problems ever.

It is a myth that mechanical is always more reliable than electronic. Slate should be shooting for "best reliability/cost ratio", which in many cases may actually be the electronic actuator. I think bladed key-only (and the crank windows) are more of a stylistic concession than an actual lowest cost or highest reliability analysis.

 

[Bo’sFarmGeneva]

if its anything like most other "keyless" key fobs they will have an actual metal key in the fob for emergency use.

 

[bloo]

The VW switch blade key fob would work perfectly here. A button to light up the car, button to precondition, and a metal blade key for the door locks.

My old 2012 Kia Soul fobs would work exactly the same way.

 

[AZFox]

the passenger side is totally stuck. I'll fix it at some point but it will mean a fresh set of keys (cut from a code, not copied from the worn out keys) and probably new tumblers.

Before you do all of that, give a squirt of Houdini Lock Lube a try.

 

[E90400K]

I think bladed keys are less reliable than electronic locks. The keys wear, the tumblers get gunked up over time - a modern solenoid is wildly reliable. Datapoint - my Tacoma (250k mi) barely opens with the key now on the drivers side due to slop in the mechanisms, and the passenger side is totally stuck. I'll fix it at some point but it will mean a fresh set of keys (cut from a code, not copied from the worn out keys) and probably new tumblers. Our Prius (210k mi) has never once had a problem with the fob or the electronic locks, other than changing the fob battery every few years. I had to open it the other day with the bladed backup key to replace the LV battery, and it was sticky and barely opened.

Same story with their windows - manual on the Tacoma, which get stuck frequently and I've had to replace the tracks on - and motorized on the Prius, which have had 0 problems ever.

It is a myth that mechanical is always more reliable than electronic. Slate should be shooting for "best reliability/cost ratio", which in many cases may actually be the electronic actuator. I think bladed key-only (and the crank windows) are more of a stylistic concession than an actual lowest cost or highest reliability analysis.

I think the milled key tumbler mechanism, which a lot of manufacturers use now as backup keys to their electric fob, doesn't suffer from wear as much as the legacy pin lock cylinder mechanism does, but you're speaking to a problem at 250,000 miles, which 80% (my guess) of the market never reaches. Most owners don't lube the lock cylinder on their front door let alone their automobile, which is used in a much dirtier and more corrosive environment.

Agree with you, electric windows are highly reliable as are electric locks. It is amusing Slate has this combo of manual windows and electric locks.

 

[E90400K]

Ford first introduced to the industry the 2-sided key for model year 1966...

 

[KevinRS]

Ford first introduced to the industry the 2-sided key for model year 1966...

There was a wide time gap between introduced and became universal. I know single sided were still there on some big brands at least into the 80s.

 

[bloo]

There was a wide time gap between introduced and became universal. I know single sided were still there on some big brands at least into the 80s.

GM's flimsy single-sided keys were the worst.

 

[E90400K]

GM should be sued into bankruptcy by all the owners who were assaulted fumbling around with their keys in all the dimly lit parking lots in America.

 

[cadblu]

The technology continues to evolve for 'keyless entry' in the auto market. I recall certain Ford models and even Nissan Maximas had numeric keypads in and around the door handles. In addition, while I haven't yet experienced it, Genesis, Mercedes, and BMW have developed fingerprint sensors and facial recognition to enter and start their vehicles. We rely on this technology every day for our phones, and it's a natural progression finding its way into our vehicles.

For the Slate, I'd be happy with a classic key fob and a backup key card, although it appears the bladed key will be a backup. I really don't care how they configure it as long as they deliver on schedule.

 

[GaRailroader]

My first car was a 1980 Ford Granada. I believe it had a square key for the door and ignition and a round key for the trunk. That way you could give a valet your square key and they wouldn't have access to your trunk. Now most cars have another means to the trunk with either folding seats and/or a remote release in the cabin. I suppose USB-C is the same enhancement they made on USB-A that automakers made on keys in 1966.

 

[E90400K]

Oh, the Humanity!