Will the Aptera typ1 really materialize?

[zeuscar1]

I have heard about various high gas mileage cars, and futuristic looking vehicles being released for the past 10 years. Yet I haven't seen any of these vehicles actually get approved, produced and sold in the US. What is to make any of you think that the Aptera typ1 will be any different? Sure it's a good idea, and sure they tell you everything you wanna hear. However I won't believe it until I see these things driving around on the streets in California. I personally don't believe we will ever see it. If I'm wrong I'll be the first one to admit it.

Darren

[baily]

I don't see any reason why it will not materialize. They are already planning on the manufacturing of these cars. Why wouldn't it materialize? Thats the question that I ask you my friend :)

[foundit]

No doubt in my mind that these cars will be selling in California before the calendar reads 2009. The car is already completely designed I believe. All they have to do is start manufacturing them.

[Yanquetino]

Aptera seems to tout the safety of the Typ-1 in practically any and all statements about the car. This is probably to "head-off-at-the-pass" the naysayers who keep asking what would happen if a Tundra smashed into it. (Duh. What do they think would happen to any sub-compact car? The same thing that would happen if a semi collided with the Tundra! What are we in now, an escalating "arms race" involving ever heavier and bigger SUVs?)

But I digress. What I want to state is that Aptera intends to prove all such statements about safety. Ergo, they intend to put several prototypes through actual crash testing during the next few months to verify that the Typ-1 does indeed exceed federal safety standards for cars --even though it is legally classified a "motorcycle" and thus exempt from such testing. Personally, I'll be the most interested in hearing how well the "seatbelt airbags" work.

If it passes the tests, I see no reason why Aptera won't start delivering the first Typ-1e cars to customers in October 2008, as currently projected. If not... they may delay the release date to focus on whatever safety components might need more bolstering.

My guess... is that they will pass the crash tests, just like in the software simulations. Let's hope so!

[admin]

What are "seatbelt airbags"?

[Yanquetino]

Admin:

I don't really know what "seatbelt airbags" are, having never seen them myself (this is why I am curious how well they work in the crash tests). All I know is that on the "Vehicle Details" page at Aptera's web site, under the tab at the bottom for "Safety," they state:

"Just a few of the many parts of the safety systems on the Typ-1 are airbag-in seatbelt technology, a front subframe and a firewall that redirect energy around the occupants."

My guess :confused: is that they must be something like inflatable lifevests, i.e., they contain relatively flat compartments that "balloon out" when triggered. Since seatbelts cross one's chest from from the outside to the inside of the vehicle, perhaps this is an effective way of providing side-airbag protection that adjusts better to a person's height...?

In the videos and photos I have seen, I can't see any extra "thickness" in the seatbelts, so perhaps they have yet to install that feature. Or... maybe the "seatbelt airbags" are thinner than I thought!

I hope they provide some video of the crash tests over the next few months so that we can see for ourselves!

[typ-1h]

The typ1 will most definitely materialize as the admin are already looking towards the far future for possible production developments.

[in4mer]

I don't really know what "seatbelt airbags" are, having never seen them myself (this is why I am curious how well they work in the crash tests). All I know is that on the "Vehicle Details" page at Aptera's web site, under the tab at the bottom for "Safety," they state:


turns out, cessna's been offering these things in its new airplanes for a few years now. don't know if any have been tested in a real-world scenario, but the manufacturer was offering faked-up demos of the technology to anyone that wanted to strap one on, at an airshow in 2003 in wisconsin. they weren't using pyrotechnics to deploy the device like a normal production version would; they were just using low-pressure nitrogen to *WHOOMP* the thing up while someone was wearing it, to give each person an idea of how much it would protect them. usually, in an off-airport landing, as they're euphemistically known, head injuries caused by nifty instrument panels rank pretty high up there for all-time suck.

in short, it will probably protect you the same way about three or four different airbags deployed from different structural parts of the car would, and it probably won't smack you in the face very hard, either, since as it deploys, your head will initially push it along until it runs into Something Else (again, something that isn't your face, thankfully), and your head will have what we all hope and pray is a yawningly uneventful rearward acceleration.

try googling for cessna seatbelt airbag.

%nfsd

[Yanquetino]

Aha! I'm glad someone knows a bit about these. I took your suggestion and googled the topic. I was wondering how obtrusive the system might be, so this statement particularly caught my attention:

The system resembles a normal seat belt in size and shape, but it contains an airbag that rapidly inflates upon sensing an impact.

On the other hand, I also found this illustration:

http://www.aero-news.net/images/content/genav/2003/amsafebelt-0203a.gif

The lapbelt portion looks bulkier that "a normal seatbelt" to me! Like I suspected, it resembles the chambers in an inflatable life vest. More importantly, since the airbag section is only across one's lap, my guess is that it would provide protection in a head-on crash, but not one from the side. It makes me wonder well how the Aptera will perform in that particular crash test.

I guess we'll find out in the next few months. :confused:

[Yanquetino]

I found this video clip of how a seatbelt airbag would deploy in a frontal impact test:

Airbag-in-seatbelt deployment (WMV format) (http://www.newplane.com/amd/amd/downloads/Alarus_airbag_side_view.WMV)

That might smart a bit down below...! Y'ouch!

[3-4-me]

Nice pull on the video, Yanquetino.
I like the idea of not having the explosion into my face.
However if your arm is in your lap, it could be a problem.:eek:
they weren't using pyrotechnics to deploy the device like a normal production version would; they were just using low-pressure nitrogen to *WHOOMP* the thing up while someone was wearing it,
That might lessen the "gut shot" a little. Guess we'll have to wait and see.