Normally a secretive company, Aptera chose this venue to be the first public debut of their new, pre-production “2e” electric car and gave attendees who signed up test rides (the list filled up quickly). At the same time, they released detailed feature sheets, discussed performance specs, toured the onboard software, and on and on down the list.

Where to start? After the jump!

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The all-electric Mission One sportbike promises a top speed of 150 mph and a 150 mile range — rivaling the stats of gasoline powered sportbikes. Additionally, the bike features a recharge time of less than 2 hours using a 240v outlet. It’s currently scheduled for delivery in 2010.

Aimed at the high-end/luxury market, the company states it is the “first production electric sportbike that features uncompromised performance and an iconic new design.” With a design by the legendary Yves Béhar of fuseproject, indeed, the Mission One is a gorgeous beast.

More images after the break…

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Worldchanging.com co-founder Jamais Cascio works in the field of scenario development. He’s used his skills on all sorts of projects from video game design to building alternative energy scenarios. In his recently published lecture, he talks about specific things we can do to build a better world.

[Creative Commons photo by Andrés Larsen]

Each year, the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conference invites experts from a variety of fields to share their knowledge in 18 minute lectures. Jamais Cascio gave this talk back in February of 2006 discussing solutions for a sustainable future. He talks about the need for optimism and how, “focusing only on negative outcomes can really blind you to the very possibility of success.” He emphasizes staying positive, citing scientific and technological advances that help us better understand our impact on the world around us and how to lower that impact.

He even touches on the power of social networking! The Earth Witness project he describes sounds like a really exciting idea - one that might be doable using a microblogging service like Twitter that allows folks to send texts straight from their cell phones to the web!

Check out the whole video after the jump.

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Craig Venter,

This second video comes from “Josh”, an Aptera reservation holder who received an early test drive with none other than Aptera founder Steve Fambro himself. It mostly covers the powerful in-vehicle nav/entertainment system:

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

A higher resolution version hosted on Vimeo is available here. A torrent for the original, full-res version is here. A full transcript is here.

Josh repeatedly comments on how well the vehicle drives, is impressed by its performance, etc.

Throughout the drive, Steve fiddles with the computer to show it off. A main performance screen shows charge state, miles/kWh (running and average), whether it’s charging, and other such basic stats. Another screen shows options such as “Clean Charge”, “Utility Load Balancing”, “Vehicle to Grid”, and “Vehicle to Home”, as well as some that look like “Programmed”, “Utility Programmed”, and so forth. Steve showed how to schedule charge start and stop times; other options visible on that screen included “Charge Rate”, “Desired Level”, and “Threshold Level”, among others.

Steve then started showing off the Google integration work. The computer links with Google Calendar and can pull up your appointment book. When you click on an appointment, if there’s address information associated with it, even vague information, it can pull it up on Google Maps and give driving directions.

You can add new information to your calendar from the system as well. For route-finding, you have four options: shortest route, fastest route, scenic route, and greenest (lowest power consumption) route. For each, it shows the distance, time to arrive, traffic, and estimated power consumption. In addition to plotting the route, it also plots charging stations from a supplier-maintained database. You can also get a rough range estimate by plotting concentric circles on the map around your vehicle.

Whether or not some of these features will need an in-motion lockout is a question “the lawyers” will have to decide, Steve stated. In addition to the main computer, there is a digital display behind the dash that shows basic stats (speed, charge, power consumption, etc), and a rear-view camera display embedded into the LCD rear-view mirror.

Steve notes that the current model doesn’t have the air conditioner installed and had a bunch of gear in the back, taking up space; all of those will be remedied in production vehicles. The composite construction insulates well, reducing AC load. Unlike earlier reports, the windows will fully roll down in the production version. The vehicle they were riding is about six months behind Aptera’s current state-of-the-art.

Right before they pull back into TED, the two discuss people’s reactions to the car. To quote Steve:

“Most people give a thumbs up. They wave, they give something, some sense of approval. They don’t necessarily know it’s an electric car, you know, but they think it. They probably also think that it’s efficient and that it’s good for the environment, and they sort of get that when they see it, and it just sort of brings a smile to their face”

Josh posted his overall impressions after the ride here. To sum up:

He notes a couple build issues, such as dimples in the windshield glass and some seatbelt retraction issues that are production process-related and will need to be worked out before mass production starts in October, but overall was very impressed by the build quality. Unlike the impression given by the video (recorded on a still camera, not a video camera), Josh described it as “VERY quiet” and “slightly louder than a Prius that is running without the engine on.” He said that getting in is different from a usual car, and will take some getting used to, but isn’t any harder; it is much easier than getting into a Tesla. In the final version, the doors will open even more.

Acceleration and braking was described as very steady; he could not feel friction brakes kick in during braking. The vehicle didn’t struggle at all with traffic or hills. Acceleration was described in another thread as “better than my Prius by quite a bit, not as quick as my CLK500.” The Prius has a 0-60 of about 10 seconds, while the CLK500 takes about 5.7 seconds, like a Porsche Cayenne GTS. Turning in the 2e had a slightly different feel; the tail seems to lag behind the front, but it wasn’t disconcerting, and felt quite stable.

Lastly, Josh noted that the in-vehicle apps are webapps, and you can connect to your vehicle via a smartphone or computer. From there, you can program charges, check charge states, start the climate control system to preheat/cool the car, or pretty much anything you want. Also, he noted that climate control is adjusted by a touch-sensitive slider, like an iPod.

That’s about all Josh had to say… but wait, there’s more! Aptera released a super-detailed specsheet. They were clear to point out that this list isn’t final, and that there will be more options coming. Notably missing on the “options” list, for example, is the faster charger that Steve mentioned in an interview. They also made it clear that the width *will* be lower on the final version than the current version.

Jump to the next page for official specs.

Official Specifications:

Dimensions: 53″ high x 91.0″ wide x 173″ long.

111″ wheelbase
80.5″ front track.
0.15 Coef of drag
5″ ground clearance
1500 lbs curb wt.

Electric motor torque: 60FtLb torque
110v 15A charge time: 8 hrs.
Battery output: 10-13 KWh battery pack.
Battery voltage: 336V DC Nominal Traction Voltage
Transmission: Gear box 10:1 ratio

Battery Type: Lithium Iron Phosphate.

Chassis:
- Front Suspension: Independent unequal length A-arm
- Rear Suspension: Swing Arm
- Steering: Manual Steering, tilt steering column
- Brakes: Manual Brakes, dual circuit brake hydraulics, mechanical brake proportioning, 3-wheel disc
- Wheels: 14-inch High Strength Stamped Steel wheels
- Size: P165/65R14

Performance:
- Range: Up to 100 miles per charge

Warranty:
- Basic: 4/50,000
- Powertrain: 4/50,000
- Corrosion: 12/unlimited
- Roadside: 4/50,000

Features: (S=standard, O=optional)
Interior:
Push Button Start: S
Electronic shift PRNDL (shift controller): S
AM/FM/MP3/WMA with 5 speakers and MP3/Smart Phone Connectivity: S
DVD Navigation System: O
Power up/down windows with Driver side one-touch and anti-pinch: S
Power automatic door locks with anti-lockout feature: S
Center console armrest with two cup holders: S
Overhead mounted LED Dome Lights: S
Recycled Fabric-trimmed seats and door panels: S
Leatherette (recycled materials) trimmed steering wheel: S
Defroster-linked CFC-free automatic climate control with electric inverter compressor air conditioning: S
One 12V auxilliary power outlets and One 12V USB Outlet: S
Retractable passenger-assist grips at all doors: S

Exterior:
Dual color-keyed power outside mirros: S
Aerodynamic multi-reflector halogen headlamps: S
Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers: S
Rear window defogger with timer: S
Rear Electronic rear hatch locking system (sic): S
Solar Energy-Reflecting glass: S
Smart Key System (Proximity locking/starting) Maintenance key & cylinder to prevent accidental lock out: S

Safety:
Remote keyless entry system with 2-stage unlocking, panic function and remote illuminated entry: S
Backup camera: O
Driver and front passenger Airbag System: S
Front and rear crumple zones and side-impact door beams: S
Engine immobilizer: S
Center high-mount stop lamp: S
Emergency Tire inflation system: S
3-point front outboard seatbelts with adjustable shoulder anchors and driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR), front passenger Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR): S
Driver and front passenger seatbelt with seat belt starter interlock: S
Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS): S
Anti-theft system: O

Even this evening, the new information continues. First, the range of 100 miles is at freeway speeds with two passengers and the AC on; 55mph with one passenger and no AC is 120 miles. The tail lights are charging indicators when it’s plugged in. Ie, if 3/4 of the lights are on, it’s 3/4 charged. There’s another showing already. Expect plenty more. And lastly, geography will not be taken into account as far as deliveries in California go. Aptera is planning on having six service centers across the state up and running at their October launch date, and will deliver to everyone in their purchase order. Even CEOs — Paul Wilbur’s number is in the 1600s, so he’ll have to wait a while.

At the after-TED showing, one Aptera rep gave a figure of 6″ for width reduction. Another gave a different figure; they don’t know exactly how much they’re going to ultimately be able trim it down, but that’s definitely a goal for them. There’s a single large windshield wiper that’s recessed way down in the front. The sills on the doors keep the rain out effectively (it was raining). The bulk that’s taking up the back area in this prototype is batteries; they’re getting moved to the front (under the seats) in the final version, which will give the car its 70/30 weight distribution, front to back.

There are five 2es currently, counting mules, and over 18 “Apteras”. They’re already nearing the point where they can build one per day. Paul Wilbur estimated that someone with a 2h (hybrid) reservation just over #2000 will get theirs by mid-2010. And the 2e that they’re showing at TED already has a 220V (higher power) charger on it. Like the higher-power charger, the solar panel will be an option.

Now, of course, the title of this article mentions that Aptera released information about “almost” everything. There are still some details missing. The exact final width is still unknown, as are how much the performance specs will change before release. How much are each of the options, and what base price for what vehicle version? All we know is “25k to 40k” depending on options. Will there be any extended warranties offered as options? What’s the final turning radius going to be? How high are the wheel skirts ultimately going to be? Who are the hardware suppliers for the pack, the drivetrain, etc?

A number of things still remain to be revealed. Nevertheless, let’s hope that this openness on Aptera’s part continues in the months ahead.

Photo credits: Autoweek, Press Telegram

This year, biologist E.O. Wilson was the recipient of one of the TED prizes, and his wish is on its way to becoming a reality. Wilson wants to bring about a catalogue of all the world's species in one place on the web: an Encyclopedia of Life that is accessible to all.

As E.O. Wilson accepts his 2007 TED Prize, he makes a plea on behalf of his constituents, the insects and small creatures, to learn more about our biosphere. We know so little about nature, he says, that we're still discovering tiny organisms indispensable to life; yet we're still steadily destroying nature. Wilson identifies five grave threats to biodiversity (a term he coined), and makes his TED wish: that we will work together on the Encyclopedia of Life, a web-based compendium of data from scientists and amateurs on every aspect of the biosphere.

The people at TED tend to not just have big ideas, but to act on them. So it is no surprise that the Encyclopedia of Life is already underway. After the conference, Avenue A | Razorfish, an award-winning web design company, volunteered to help with the project. They have designed a gorgeous site that will soon house the encyclopedia. Many organizations are working together to begin filling the encyclopedia with information and making it possible for everyone to contribute content. In the age of Web 2.0, the Encyclopedia of Life will be the Wikipedia of all living things (past and present) on the planet. The video showing how the encyclopedia will work is a must-see.

This is a truly unique and ambitious project. Imagine having in-depth information on every single species on the planet available online, easily accessible to anyone. Scientists all over the world will be able to add data and information, and people can enter their own photos of plants and animals and place them on an interactive map. You can glimpse what the site will look like on the beautifully designed demonstration pages. It's obvious that good design has been part of this project from the beginning, and thanks to the folks at Avenue A | Razorfish, the extensive amount of information that will be part of the encyclopedia will be organized and well-presented. The Encyclopedia of Life is a wonderful example of great minds coming together to promote interest in nature, protect biodiversity, and make important information available and accessible to anyone. It brings together science, technology, and good design for the benefit of all the planet's life.

Links: Encyclopedia of Life, news coverage of the site launch, E.O. Wilson's talk at TED, About TED

This second video comes from “Josh”, an Aptera reservation holder who received an early test drive with none other than Aptera founder Steve Fambro himself. It mostly covers the powerful in-vehicle nav/entertainment system:

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

A higher resolution version hosted on Vimeo is available here. A torrent for the original, full-res version is here. A full transcript is here.

Josh repeatedly comments on how well the vehicle drives, is impressed by its performance, etc.

Throughout the drive, Steve fiddles with the computer to show it off. A main performance screen shows charge state, miles/kWh (running and average), whether it’s charging, and other such basic stats. Another screen shows options such as “Clean Charge”, “Utility Load Balancing”, “Vehicle to Grid”, and “Vehicle to Home”, as well as some that look like “Programmed”, “Utility Programmed”, and so forth. Steve showed how to schedule charge start and stop times; other options visible on that screen included “Charge Rate”, “Desired Level”, and “Threshold Level”, among others.

Steve then started showing off the Google integration work. The computer links with Google Calendar and can pull up your appointment book. When you click on an appointment, if there’s address information associated with it, even vague information, it can pull it up on Google Maps and give driving directions.

You can add new information to your calendar from the system as well. For route-finding, you have four options: shortest route, fastest route, scenic route, and greenest (lowest power consumption) route. For each, it shows the distance, time to arrive, traffic, and estimated power consumption. In addition to plotting the route, it also plots charging stations from a supplier-maintained database. You can also get a rough range estimate by plotting concentric circles on the map around your vehicle.

Whether or not some of these features will need an in-motion lockout is a question “the lawyers” will have to decide, Steve stated. In addition to the main computer, there is a digital display behind the dash that shows basic stats (speed, charge, power consumption, etc), and a rear-view camera display embedded into the LCD rear-view mirror.

Steve notes that the current model doesn’t have the air conditioner installed and had a bunch of gear in the back, taking up space; all of those will be remedied in production vehicles. The composite construction insulates well, reducing AC load. Unlike earlier reports, the windows will fully roll down in the production version. The vehicle they were riding is about six months behind Aptera’s current state-of-the-art.

Right before they pull back into TED, the two discuss people’s reactions to the car. To quote Steve:

“Most people give a thumbs up. They wave, they give something, some sense of approval. They don’t necessarily know it’s an electric car, you know, but they think it. They probably also think that it’s efficient and that it’s good for the environment, and they sort of get that when they see it, and it just sort of brings a smile to their face”

Josh posted his overall impressions after the ride here. To sum up:

He notes a couple build issues, such as dimples in the windshield glass and some seatbelt retraction issues that are production process-related and will need to be worked out before mass production starts in October, but overall was very impressed by the build quality. Unlike the impression given by the video (recorded on a still camera, not a video camera), Josh described it as “VERY quiet” and “slightly louder than a Prius that is running without the engine on.” He said that getting in is different from a usual car, and will take some getting used to, but isn’t any harder; it is much easier than getting into a Tesla. In the final version, the doors will open even more.

Acceleration and braking was described as very steady; he could not feel friction brakes kick in during braking. The vehicle didn’t struggle at all with traffic or hills. Acceleration was described in another thread as “better than my Prius by quite a bit, not as quick as my CLK500.” The Prius has a 0-60 of about 10 seconds, while the CLK500 takes about 5.7 seconds, like a Porsche Cayenne GTS. Turning in the 2e had a slightly different feel; the tail seems to lag behind the front, but it wasn’t disconcerting, and felt quite stable.

Lastly, Josh noted that the in-vehicle apps are webapps, and you can connect to your vehicle via a smartphone or computer. From there, you can program charges, check charge states, start the climate control system to preheat/cool the car, or pretty much anything you want. Also, he noted that climate control is adjusted by a touch-sensitive slider, like an iPod.

That’s about all Josh had to say… but wait, there’s more! Aptera released a super-detailed specsheet. They were clear to point out that this list isn’t final, and that there will be more options coming. Notably missing on the “options” list, for example, is the faster charger that Steve mentioned in an interview. They also made it clear that the width *will* be lower on the final version than the current version.

Jump to the next page for official specs.

Official Specifications:

Dimensions: 53″ high x 91.0″ wide x 173″ long.

111″ wheelbase
80.5″ front track.
0.15 Coef of drag
5″ ground clearance
1500 lbs curb wt.

Electric motor torque: 60FtLb torque
110v 15A charge time: 8 hrs.
Battery output: 10-13 KWh battery pack.
Battery voltage: 336V DC Nominal Traction Voltage
Transmission: Gear box 10:1 ratio

Battery Type: Lithium Iron Phosphate.

Chassis:
- Front Suspension: Independent unequal length A-arm
- Rear Suspension: Swing Arm
- Steering: Manual Steering, tilt steering column
- Brakes: Manual Brakes, dual circuit brake hydraulics, mechanical brake proportioning, 3-wheel disc
- Wheels: 14-inch High Strength Stamped Steel wheels
- Size: P165/65R14

Performance:
- Range: Up to 100 miles per charge

Warranty:
- Basic: 4/50,000
- Powertrain: 4/50,000
- Corrosion: 12/unlimited
- Roadside: 4/50,000

Features: (S=standard, O=optional)
Interior:
Push Button Start: S
Electronic shift PRNDL (shift controller): S
AM/FM/MP3/WMA with 5 speakers and MP3/Smart Phone Connectivity: S
DVD Navigation System: O
Power up/down windows with Driver side one-touch and anti-pinch: S
Power automatic door locks with anti-lockout feature: S
Center console armrest with two cup holders: S
Overhead mounted LED Dome Lights: S
Recycled Fabric-trimmed seats and door panels: S
Leatherette (recycled materials) trimmed steering wheel: S
Defroster-linked CFC-free automatic climate control with electric inverter compressor air conditioning: S
One 12V auxilliary power outlets and One 12V USB Outlet: S
Retractable passenger-assist grips at all doors: S

Exterior:
Dual color-keyed power outside mirros: S
Aerodynamic multi-reflector halogen headlamps: S
Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers: S
Rear window defogger with timer: S
Rear Electronic rear hatch locking system (sic): S
Solar Energy-Reflecting glass: S
Smart Key System (Proximity locking/starting) Maintenance key & cylinder to prevent accidental lock out: S

Safety:
Remote keyless entry system with 2-stage unlocking, panic function and remote illuminated entry: S
Backup camera: O
Driver and front passenger Airbag System: S
Front and rear crumple zones and side-impact door beams: S
Engine immobilizer: S
Center high-mount stop lamp: S
Emergency Tire inflation system: S
3-point front outboard seatbelts with adjustable shoulder anchors and driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR), front passenger Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR): S
Driver and front passenger seatbelt with seat belt starter interlock: S
Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS): S
Anti-theft system: O

Even this evening, the new information continues. First, the range of 100 miles is at freeway speeds with two passengers and the AC on; 55mph with one passenger and no AC is 120 miles. The tail lights are charging indicators when it’s plugged in. Ie, if 3/4 of the lights are on, it’s 3/4 charged. There’s another showing already. Expect plenty more. And lastly, geography will not be taken into account as far as deliveries in California go. Aptera is planning on having six service centers across the state up and running at their October launch date, and will deliver to everyone in their purchase order. Even CEOs — Paul Wilbur’s number is in the 1600s, so he’ll have to wait a while.

At the after-TED showing, one Aptera rep gave a figure of 6″ for width reduction. Another gave a different figure; they don’t know exactly how much they’re going to ultimately be able trim it down, but that’s definitely a goal for them. There’s a single large windshield wiper that’s recessed way down in the front. The sills on the doors keep the rain out effectively (it was raining). The bulk that’s taking up the back area in this prototype is batteries; they’re getting moved to the front (under the seats) in the final version, which will give the car its 70/30 weight distribution, front to back.

There are five 2es currently, counting mules, and over 18 “Apteras”. They’re already nearing the point where they can build one per day. Paul Wilbur estimated that someone with a 2h (hybrid) reservation just over #2000 will get theirs by mid-2010. And the 2e that they’re showing at TED already has a 220V (higher power) charger on it. Like the higher-power charger, the solar panel will be an option.

Now, of course, the title of this article mentions that Aptera released information about “almost” everything. There are still some details missing. The exact final width is still unknown, as are how much the performance specs will change before release. How much are each of the options, and what base price for what vehicle version? All we know is “25k to 40k” depending on options. Will there be any extended warranties offered as options? What’s the final turning radius going to be? How high are the wheel skirts ultimately going to be? Who are the hardware suppliers for the pack, the drivetrain, etc?

A number of things still remain to be revealed. Nevertheless, let’s hope that this openness on Aptera’s part continues in the months ahead.

Photo credits: Autoweek, Press Telegram