Showing posts with label Elon Musk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elon Musk. Show all posts
Saturday, October 1, 2022
TESLA AI DAY 2022
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Sunday, September 5, 2021
My In-Depth Review of The All-New 2021Tesla Model S
Friday, August 20, 2021
Tesla Cyber Vehicle Family Design Concept by Jake Ehrlich
Tesla Cyber Vehicle Family
Design Concept by Jake Ehrlich
$25,000 Tesla Cyber Mini Concept by Jake Ehrlich Pictured Above
Tesla announced they plan to build compact vehicles for the European and Chinese markets, and they issued a call for design submissions for the Chinese version. As a designer, I could not stop thinking about this amazing challenge, and propose a modular design concept to create a family of compact Tesla Cyber Vehicles in this article.
One of the significant challenges with the Tesla CyberTruck is it's too long to fit in standard size American garages, and too large for many streets in Europe. The concepts shown below overcome this to create a truly international Tesla Cyber vehicle solution.
The revolutionary design language and manufacturing methodology of the CyberTruck deserves to and should be incorporated into additional product lines and vehicles. The design reference collage above lays out the four different Cyber vehicles which are largely based upon the CyberTruck design language. This includes the
- Cyber Mini
- Cyber Compact
- Cyber Compact SUV
- Cyber SUV
The illustration above showcases how Tesla can leverage the Cyber design and manufacturing process to not only make a sub $25,000 Tesla, but also a modular line of revolutionary vehicles that may take advantage of the existing CyberTruck tooling to create a super-innovative family of Cyber vehicles that could be made side-by-side in the new Tesla GigaFactory in Texas.
Cyber Compact
The beauty of this 4 door design concept is the front half of the Cyber Compact Concept is identical in scale and dimension to the Cybertruck, thus it uses all the same interior and exterior parts so it can easily be made side-by-side in any CyberTruck production factory. For frame-of-reference and scale, this vehicle remains around the length of a Tesla Model 3.
I am including my Cyber Compact concept design in my favorite wrapped version as seen above, as well in naked sheet metal below.
The image above shows the Cyber Compact which is identical in every way to the Cyber SUV (seen below), but has much smaller wheels and tires as this could be more of a Commuter / Robo-Taxi vehicle or a high-performance model.
Cyber SUV
The Cyber SUV design pictured in the next ten images is identical in every way to the Cyber Compact design pictured above, but it has much larger truck tires and wheels which gives it a completely different look and vibe. Once again, the front of this vehicle is identical to the Cyber Truck and thus could utilize most of the exact same tooling and components.
Notice the design enhancement to extend the rear window to create a pyramid shape which makes the vehicle look even more otherworldly and cool. Also, on many of the images you will notice they have a matte black bottom, which also highlights and compliments the pyramid shape window structure. This detail makes the car look like it is in motion even when it is standing still—kind of like the NIKE Swoosh logo...
Above we see the Cyber SUV in my favorite wrapped version, as well as in naked sheet metal below. On the version above I removed the red pinstripe which gives the vehicle a more serious and masculine vibe.
First Principles Reasoning
Front and Rear Informational
HDR LCD LED Screens
This next set of eight images below show the Cyber SUV concept, which features embedded modular informational HDR LCD LED screens on the front and back of the vehicle that not only replace standard brake, backup and turning lights, but more importantly can display any type of contextual information graphic.
Ironically, as exotic as this revolutionary feature may seem, it could be less expensive at scale than having to create very expensive tooling for specialized LED rear backup, turning and brake lights.
The image below shows the front LED display “Backing Up” screen, but this could display any graphic including the extra driving light seen above, as well as additional turning signals or a charging percentage at a Super Charger station...
The image below shows the front LED display “Backing Up” screen, but this could display any graphic including the extra driving light seen above, as well as additional turning signals or a charging percentage at a Super Charger station...
The rear screen can also display standard turning signals and brake lights when driving, as well as acting as a very bright backup light (shown 3 images below), but most importantly it can display contextual messages as seen below when parked :-)
Notice on the image above, the rear of the vehicle has a two-piece solar array tonneau cover that can slide-up to expose a trunk / mini-bed (seen below) for fast access without having to lower the tailgate. This could also carry a couple of bikes standing up—sticking out of the small bed.
If you look closely you will notice there are also solar panels on the side of the vehicle located behind the rear windows that complete the pyramid geometry shape.
The rear display in the image above shows the name of the party the Robo Taxi vehicle is picking up to make it easy to locate (Think: Robotaxi meets Uber)!
The image below shows a “Parking” screen on the back of the SUV. This screen is not only showing the parking message but also providing bright backup lighting.
There is no limit to what the smart informational contextual screens can display! The example below is what you might see at a Tesla Supercharging station so when Tesla owners pull-up they have a better idea of which car to park next to as they can see the charging speed and level.
Below is a two door version of my of my Cyber SUV Concept, which looks so awesome!
Cyber Mini SUV
Next up we have the Cyber Mini SUV concept. This car is much shorter and would be about 16 inches shorter than a Model Y. It is shown equipped with Cyber Truck design language rims and tires.
Cyber Mini
Below we see the 2 door Cyber Mini concept which is significantly shorter and smaller than the Cyber SUV and Cyber Compact. This would be the ultimate 'around-town' small vehicle which could be a very popular international vehicle! This model has a snubbed nose which makes it even more miniature so it would be about 20 inches shorter in length than a Model 3 or Model Y. It features a hatchback trunk lid with generous space in the rear for groceries or other cargo. I believe this could be a sub $25k Tesla...
$25,000 Tesla Cyber Mini Concept by Jake Ehrlich Pictured Above
I would love to work with the Tesla design team on bringing these concepts to life, and who knows, Maybe Elon and Tesla will see my ideas and incorporate some of them :-)
The Inspiration
When the CyberTruck debuted in November of 2019 I wrote a review and was blown away with the revolutionary design.
I was EXTREMELY IMPRESSED with the design of the Tesla CyberTruck, but to my way of thinking, it was missing something!?!! In other words, the current CyberTruck design looked unfinished to me, so I went to work on trying to figure it out and I came up with the two significant improvements seen below.
First, I added triangular black solar panels to the side rear of the truck just behind the rear doors that organically extend the geometry of the side window structure to complete the symmetrical pyramid shape.
Adding this triangular element not only adds striking trademark visual interest but makes the car look way more sleek, streamlined, finished, symmetrical, balanced, modern, otherworldly, timeless and beautiful. I believe this really completes and compliments the pyramid shape of the CyberTruck and window layout and makes it look DRAMATICALLY BETTER and more refined!!!
I also added a black wrap to the bottom half of the CyberTruck and added a 'touch-of-red' pinstripe to separate the stainless from the black wrap which strikes me as being dramatically better. This added contrast really completes and compliments Tesla's CyberTruck design, as I find the all-stainless to be a bit too monotone, monotonous and flavorless looking. The addition of the red strip just looks cool...
I am also including a version without the red pinstripe (pictured below), as I can't figure out which version I like better? Typically I have NEVER liked pinstripes, but I think it looks kind of sportier with the red stripe as seen above, but in the version below it looks more serious and sober. Hmnn!?!!
CyberTruck
A Tesla Model X SUV on Steroids
I have a confession to make: I am NOT a pick-up-truck kind of guy—at all. In other words, if you offered to give me a brand new Ford F-150 for free I would NOT take it.
I realize most people likely see the CyberTruck as a truck, but I see it much more as a Tesla Model X on steroids. In other words, a bigger, bolder, more masculine SUV with much simpler doors, and most importantly a large lockable bed that can hold a set of family bikes.
On ALL existing Tesla models if you want to go mountain biking with bikes for the family, you have to buy a bike rack that hangs off the rear of the car, or put them on a roof rack. If you have nice bikes and you want to grab some dinner and you leave your Tesla unattended, there is a high likelihood when you return your bikes will have been stolen.
With the CyberTruck, you can simply place them on their sides in the large flat bed and close the secure tonneau cover so they will be out of sight and even if someone knew they were in the bed the couldn’t break-in to steal them. Also, if you go snowboarding you can keep all your gear in the bed, whereas if you use any other Tesla you have to place them in the car or on a roof rack. Or you could look at it like the CyberTruck is like a Model X with an enormous trunk that can hold much, much more luggage or golf clubs, or even 4x8 sheets of plywood.
In a strange way, CyberTruck reminds me of an old school Cadillac ‘Land Shark’ in the sense it’s so big and long and has a ‘King of the Road’ vibe with all its presence!
Also, I like and understand the appeal of Range Rover vehicles and I think some of them look really cool. The challenge is they are NOT Electric, and require a lot of expensive maintenance over time. I kind of perceive the CyberTruck as being like a super-modern Range Rover...kind of like a go anywhere, do anything, in any conditions off-road vehicle...I realize most people, including myself will never take advantage of more than 5% of the off-road capability, but having the option is nice...Basically, the CyberTruck is built-to-last—like a Rolex.
Once Tesla opened up the CyberTruck for Pre-Orders, I immediately ordered one so when I receive it I plan to wrap it the way it appears above, and that is why with many of the renders for my CyberMini, CyberSUV and CyberCompact concepts pictured above in this story carry over and incorporate these design language improvement ideas.
Part of the brilliance of Tesla's CyberTruck is due to its exterior being made from cold-rolled stainless steel it can't be painted, which is a tremendous benefit as it is so strong and ding proof—not to mention when Tesla builds these trucks they don't require a paint shop, which significantly decreases the cost to make such a vehicle.
Special Thanks to Cory & Dale from Concepts for excellent renderings.
Sunday, August 8, 2021
Everyday Astronaut StarBase Tour with Elon Musk
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Tesla Battery Day
Tesla Battery Day
I have been saying for some time now that Tesla has the entire automotive industry in check-mate, and after having watched Tesla's Battery Day I am even more certain of this fact.
Friday, May 22, 2020
Elon Musk Takes Jay Leno for a Test Drive in the 2021 CyberTruck
Elon Musk
Takes
Jay Leno
For a Test Drive in the 2021 CyberTruck
Jay Leno's Garage just published 3 preview videos of his upcoming review of the Tesla CyberTruck which he took on a test drive with Elon Musk
This next photo is amazing as it shows Elon Musk standing on the retractable Tesla CyberTruck Vault tonneau cover.
You can watch all 3 previews of Jay Leno's upcoming interview with Elon Musk on the CNBC site for Jay Leno's Garage.
Jay Leno recently released his interview with Elon Musk from 2008 which can be watched below:
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Monday, April 27, 2020
Updated CyberTruck Design
Update on May 24, 2020: Elon Musk said that after an extensive investigation into decreasing the overall size of the CyberTruck so it could fit into standard size garages, they decided to keep it with the original proportions.
Updated CyberTruck Design
Elon Musk recently tweeted that his design team was fine-tuning the dimensions of the the CyberTruck. This was done because the original design was too long to fit in a standard parking garage. Elon mentioned the following changes:
1. Window Sill gets lower
2. Center Line is more level
3. Size is reduced around 3% (Mostly in length)
@Alvinart created the following illustration below to show the difference between the new (top) and old versions (bottom). Notice the new model pictured on top and squared off the back to make it shorter.
A Tweeter asked Elon Musk if the changes would effect the cabin size
Maybe 1.5% change to interior dimensions. Still very roomy.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 19, 2020
Monday, February 10, 2020
Elon Musk Reasoning via Analogy v. First Principles
Elon Musk
Reasoning via Analogy v. First Principles
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind
of thinking we used when we created them."
- Albert Einstein
I first learned that we as human beings reason by analogy when I was 13 years old. I agree 1000% with Elon on the power of Reasoning by First First Principles v. Reasoning by Analogy but I will point out that in order to reason via First Principles you still need to analogize everything...
Monday, February 3, 2020
Thursday, May 17, 2018
The Boring Company Information Session
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Elon Musk Interview with David Letterman in 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Tesla P85D Superior Snow Driving Performance
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Elon Musk Interview By Neil deGrasse Tyson...
Elon Musk Interview
By Neil deGrasse Tyson
Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the coolest guys alive, and he recently interviewed Elon Musk, and you can listen to the interview below.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Elon Musk Unveils Dual Motor Tesla S Model
Tesla has rated the P85D at being able to do 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, but to the best of my knowledge, Tesla typically understates their acceleration, so I would not be surprised if the real number is in the high two seconds. In other words, the P85D is an absolute game-changer!!!! Oh, and if you charge it at home during off-peak hours, you get a range of close to 300 miles for under $5 in electricity!!?!?!! Compare that to a Bugatti Veyron that gets 7 miles to the gallon in the city.
With the advent of the P85D Tesla S, there is an upgraded all-new seat named the "Next Generation Seat", which is seen below. These new seat are beefed up, and offer more substantial seat bolsters.
Tesla has also been working on their North American Supercharger Network which allows all Tesla S owners to charge their Model S cars for free, forever. To learn more about the Tesla Supercharger network, click here.
In 2013, Consumer Reports rated the Tesla Model S as their highest scoring car in the history of their rating system.
In 2013, Consumer Reports rated the Tesla Model S as their highest scoring car in the history of their rating system.
TESLA MODEL S ACHIEVES BEST SAFETY RATING OF ANY CAR EVER TESTED
SETS NEW NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY SCORE RECORD
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013
Palo Alto, CA — Independent testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the Tesla Model S a 5-star safety rating, not just overall, but in every subcategory without exception. Approximately one percent of all cars tested by the federal government achieve 5 stars across the board. NHTSA does not publish a star rating above 5, however safety levels better than 5 stars are captured in the overall Vehicle Safety Score (VSS) provided to manufacturers, where the Model S achieved a new combined record of 5.4 stars.
Of all vehicles tested, including every major make and model approved for sale in the United States, the Model S set a new record for the lowest likelihood of injury to occupants. While the Model S is a sedan, it also exceeded the safety score of all SUVs and minivans. This score takes into account the probability of injury from front, side, rear and rollover accidents.
The Model S has the advantage in the front of not having a large gasoline engine block, thus creating a much longer crumple zone to absorb a high speed impact. This is fundamentally a force over distance problem – the longer the crumple zone, the more time there is to slow down occupants at g loads that do not cause injuries. Just like jumping into a pool of water from a tall height, it is better to have the pool be deep and not contain rocks. The Model S motor is only about a foot in diameter and is mounted close to the rear axle, and the front section that would normally contain a gasoline engine is used for a second trunk.
For the side pole intrusion test, considered one of the most difficult to pass, the Model S was the only car in the "good" category among the other top one percent of vehicles tested. Compared to the Volvo S60, which is also 5-star rated in all categories, the Model S preserved 63.5 percent of driver residual space vs. 7.8 percent for the Volvo. Tesla achieved this outcome by nesting multiple deep aluminum extrusions in the side rail of the car that absorb the impact energy (a similar approach was used by the Apollo Lunar Lander) and transfer load to the rest of the vehicle. This causes the pole to be either sheared off or to stop the car before the pole hits an occupant.
The rear crash testing was particularly important, given the optional third row children's seat. For this, Tesla factory installs a double bumper if the third row seat is ordered. This was needed in order to protect against a highway speed impact in the rear with no permanently disabling injury to the third row occupants. The third row is already the safest location in the car for frontal or side injuries.
The Model S was also substantially better in rollover risk, with the other top vehicles being approximately 50 percent worse. During testing at an independent facility, the Model S refused to turn over via the normal methods and special means were needed to induce the car to roll. The reason for such a good outcome is that the battery pack is mounted below the floor pan, providing a very low center of gravity, which simultaneously ensures exceptional handling and safety.
Of note, during validation of Model S roof crush protection at an independent commercial facility, the testing machine failed at just above 4 g's. While the exact number is uncertain due to Model S breaking the testing machine, what this means is that at least four additional fully loaded Model S vehicles could be placed on top of an owner's car without the roof caving in. This is achieved primarily through a center (B) pillar reinforcement attached via aerospace grade bolts.
The above results do not tell the full story. It is possible to game the regulatory testing score to some degree by strengthening a car at the exact locations used by the regulatory testing machines. After verifying through internal testing that the Model S would achieve a NHTSA 5-star rating, Tesla then analyzed the Model S to determine the weakest points in the car and retested at those locations until the car achieved 5 stars no matter how the test equipment was configured.
The Model S lithium-ion battery did not catch fire at any time before, during or after the NHTSA testing. It is worth mentioning that no production Tesla lithium-ion battery has ever caught fire in the Model S or Roadster, despite several high speed impacts. While this is statistically unlikely to remain the case long term, Tesla is unaware of any Model S or Roadster occupant fatalities in any car ever.
The graphic below shows the statistical Relative Risk Score (RRS) of Model S compared with all other vehicles tested against the exceptionally difficult NHTSA 2011 standards. In 2011, the standards were revised upward to make it more difficult to achieve a high safety rating.
We're pleased to announce that the Tesla Model S has received a maximum-possible 5-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP).
Model S is one of just a few cars to have ever achieved a 5-star safety rating from both Euro NCAP and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, Model S is the only car this year to have achieved both a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and 5 stars in every NHTSA subcategory, including frontal impact, side impact, and rollover. Only two other cars have earned the same recognition since 2011 (when NHTSA introduced its latest rating scheme).
The reason so few models achieve 5-star ratings in both Europe and the U.S. is that each program places emphasis on different safety aspects in the assessment process. NHTSA emphasizes structural and restraint safety, with a deep focus on how well the vehicle can withstand and absorb the energy of an impact while protecting its occupants. It is also primarily concerned with adult occupants. On the other hand, Euro NCAP assesses a wider range of scenarios, including tests for child and pedestrian safety. Unlike for NHTSA, active safety is also an important part of Euro NCAP's 5-star requirement. Every year, the European organization raises the standard for a 5-star rating to account for technological advances in the industry.
The dual 5-star ratings for Model S validate our holistic approach to safety. We have been engineering passive and active safety systems in parallel, so the car is structurally sound and is also designed to intelligently anticipate and react to potentially dangerous situations.
Structurally, Model S has advantages not seen in conventional cars. It has a low center of gravity because its battery pack, the largest mass in the car, is positioned underneath the passenger compartment, making rollover extremely unlikely. It also has a large front crumple zone because of the lack of an engine, meaning it can absorb more energy from a frontal impact, the most common type of crash resulting in fatalities. Its body is reinforced with aluminum extrusions at strategic locations around the car, and the roof can withstand at least 4 g's. It was for these reasons that Model S achieved 5 stars in every subcategory when tested by NHTSA in 2013.
This quarter, we started implementing the Model S active safety system in conjunction with the introduction of new Autopilot hardware, consisting of 12 ultrasonic sensors that sense up to 16 feet around the car, a forward-looking camera, a forward radar, and a digitally controlled, high-precision electric brake boost. We specifically selected this hardware to accommodate the progressive introduction of new safety features via software updates over the course of the next several months.
While the features already pushed to the Model S fleet - Lane Departure Warning and Speed Limit Warning - have proven sufficient to merit a 5-star NCAP rating, we will go much further with active safety systems. Features coming soon include Forward and Side Collision Warning and Avoidance, Blind Spot Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking.
Safety has always been Tesla's top priority, and we remain committed to continuously improving Model S to ensure that adults, children, and pedestrians alike receive the best possible protection from the car and its technology. In the meantime, Model S owners can be secure in the knowledge that this recognition from Euro NCAP reaffirms their car's outstanding safety qualities.
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