NUGGETS OF ALPHA
90-second Cybertruck promotional video (click link)
Cyberbeast is the model that smashed the Porsche on the track carrying a Porsche
Met Franz von Holzhausen top designer on Earth who executed the CT
Bullets from a Tommy gun, MP5, and Glock did not pierce the Cybertruck’s body
The armored glass is shatter-resistant to a baseball at 70mph or class 4 hail
The vehicle has a rigid exoskeleton, making it the stiffest vehicle on the road
The bottom of the vehicle is flat so that you can drive over about anything
The front/back touch screens are incredible alongside the 15-speaker system
CT might have a lower center of gravity than an F1 car in proportion to its size
You can plug a 220v into the Cybertruck so it can charge another EV
Cybertruck has a range extender accessory for up to 38% additional mileage
The 48-volt wiring system is the future of low-voltage vehicle architecture
The Hepa air filter keeps the air inside the cabin clean of toxins
This image is from this week’s Cybertruck Delivery Day. I am not an engineer and have never been on a factory floor, but I am very curious. So, in this lesson, I am sharing observations from my curiosity with you.
In addition, there is a 90-second Cybertruck promotional video available on the IA channel.
The marketing prowess of Tesla, especially with their Cybertruck, is remarkable. They strategically invited numerous prominent influencers, maximizing exposure far beyond traditional media outlets like CNBS. This approach underscores the importance of understanding Tesla's influence. The Cybertruck isn't just the most highly anticipated vehicle ever; it represents a pinnacle in automotive innovation, setting new standards as the most advanced vehicle ever created.
Here is a final specs sheet summary. The rear-wheel drive vehicle will not be available until 2025. The Cyberbeast is the model that smashed the Porsche on the track carrying a Porsche. The $100K model will not qualify for the U.S. tax credit, but the people who buy this type of vehicle probably do not care. The AWD model will qualify for the tax credit and I reckon price will come down over time.
The event allowed me to meet a lot of great people. Franz von Holzhausen served as the lead designer for the Cybertruck. Everything in this vehicle is designed from scratch. Overall, it looks and feels like the Cybertruck shape, and there is no Tesla badging/logos. The Car is the Logo.
Tesla went out and bought two Porsche turbo sports cars, and the Cybertruck beat it head to head in a race. Then, the surprise at the end of the video won it over a quarter of a mile race towing another Porsche.
How is this even possible? It does defy physics. But a big part of it is due to the amazing drag coefficient despite its size.
Efficiency, especially when driving on highways, is largely influenced by aerodynamics. The Cybertruck's original design, presented on stage four years ago, was criticized for its boxy, refrigerator-like appearance. Despite initial skepticism, this design was set in stone. The final version of the Cybertruck, while maintaining the original concept's aesthetics, is actually about 5% smaller. This size reduction, along with several clever modifications, led to a significant 25% decrease in its drag coefficient. This improvement in aerodynamics is akin to transitioning from an SUV to a high-performance vehicle like the McLaren SpeedTail. While it doesn't surpass the Rivian's record-breaking aerodynamic efficiency, the Cybertruck finds its place in the spectrum of efficiency, somewhere between elite vehicles like the McLaren and the Bugatti Chiron.
You would expect any vehicle this size to have a much higher drag coefficient.
STEER BY WIRE
The Tesla Cybertruck, with its distinctive angular styling and rapid performance, is now a reality, complete with a controversial yoke-like steering wheel. However, its standout features include steer-by-wire and rear-wheel-steering technologies. While rear-wheel-steering enhances maneuverability and is not a novel concept in trucks, steer-by-wire is particularly exciting. This technology, especially in combination with the Cybertruck's unique steering wheel, potentially transforms handling, giving the truck the agility of a sports car and an impressively tight turning radius. These innovations reflect a successful balance of style and functionality in Tesla's design.
The toughness and durability of the vehicle were also on display. Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, mocked Elon, saying that the Cybertruck is a great vehicle to go to dinner in downtown Palo Alto...well, this vehicle's strength is crazy. None of the bullets from the Tommy gun, MP5, nor a Glock pierced through and into the body of the car.
The glass is shatter-resistant, so you will not get a chip when driving down the freeway and the truck kicks up a rock. It was also designed to be quiet in the cabin, which it does an excellent job delivering.
The distance from the base of the Cybertruck's floor to the carpet, where occupants rest their feet, measures a mere 6-7 inches. This design aspect is crucial for vehicles, as it significantly contributes to a low center of gravity. Considering the overall mass of the Cybertruck, it's likely that its center of gravity, relative to its size, is even lower than that of a Formula 1 car. This low center of gravity is a key factor in enhancing the vehicle's stability and handling characteristics.
This is an image of the vehicle's side door. The unique custom alloy made by Tesla formed a metal that did not exist until they created it. It is so thin that it is almost sharp to the touch.
This image shows the true floor of the Cybertruck, complete with two seats and an attached battery. It's designed to fit neatly beneath the vehicle's exoskeleton. Tesla's commitment to first principles engineering is evident in the design's simplicity, which brings to mind childhood memories of disassembling small toy cars, known as Hot Wheels in the United States. As a child, I was always curious and loved to take things apart to see how they worked.
Tesla's innovative approach to the Cybertruck's design mirrors the construction of a small toy car, where a diecast undercarriage seamlessly connects to the top part, akin to the Cybertruck's exoskeleton. This method reflects what could be termed an 'unboxed' approach, reminiscent of the way Matchbox cars are designed. Similarly, in the USA, this design style is often seen in Hot Wheels diecast cars.
With its 220-volt outlet, the Tesla Cybertruck can serve as a mobile power source, capable of charging another electric vehicle or providing backup power for a home during emergencies.
A new revelation, 4 Wheel Steering:
Standard on all three models of the Cybertruck is four-wheel steering, enhancing their maneuverability to a remarkable degree, allowing them to turn very sharply. This feature significantly improves the ease of handling. In a conversation with Sandy Munroe, it was highlighted that while the Ford F150 Lightning presents challenges in parking, the Cybertruck, in contrast, is exceptionally easy to park.
This is what the rear wheel steering looks like, and it is pretty complicated.
This photo is of my colleague Bill, a former Ford engineer. The Tesla factory floor blew his mind, and he confirmed that everything differs from a traditional line and is geared for full automation and scale. This Good Year tire is nearly 3 feet tall (1 meter), which is a beast. How such a vehicle can move so fast is mind-melting.
Underneath the back truck bed is a huge space designed to put an additional battery on the vehicle for an extended range of up to 38%.
The Tesla Cybertruck features a vertically oriented windshield wiper, a design choice that is both aerodynamic and practical. This innovative design is particularly effective in snowy conditions. Unlike traditional windshield wipers that struggle to push snow upwards and often get stuck, the vertical wiper on the Cybertruck simply drops down, easily clearing snow off the flat, sloped front of the vehicle.
A 48-volt wiring system is logical for modern vehicle production, but traditional vehicle manufacturers do not innovate.
Benefits of 48-volt electrical systems for electric vehicles:
Increased efficiency: Smaller wires reduce resistance and improve efficiency.
Improved performance: More power to accessories like air conditioning, headlights, and infotainment systems.
Reduced emissions: More efficient energy recovery when braking.
Lower costs: Smaller wires and components are less expensive to manufacture.
Specific benefits of 48 volts for Tesla vehicles:
Increased range: More efficient use of battery power extends the range.
Faster acceleration: Increased power from the 48-volt system accelerates faster.
Improved regenerative braking: More energy capture when braking improves overall efficiency.
The design of this vehicle is characterized by sharp angles rather than curves, reminiscent of the design seen in stealth aircraft. As a playful nod, one could say that, like stealth planes, this car is also undetectable by radar. 🙂
This picture shows the front part of the giga casting. Both the front and rear components are connected, forming the foundation upon which the rest of the structure is built. Impressively, despite their substantial size, these components are remarkably lightweight yet maintain strong structural integrity.
The vehicle has a rigid exoskeleton, making it the stiffest vehicle on the road. The key is that the vehicle's exterior is structural, making it very special.
Hat tip to Hagerty for this one. Structural rigidity is higher than that of a Porsche 911. Notice the structural rigidity afford an F150 is zero versus that of 43,200 for the cyber truck.
The vehicle will be produced with wraps like the black matte one behind me in this photo.
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the Cybertruck's camper van add-on, available for approximately $2,000. This accessory transforms the truck's rear into a sleeping space large enough for two people, akin to fitting a queen-sized bed in the back of your car. The Tesla Cybertruck's design supports a wide range of accessories, positioning it as one of the most adaptable vehicles in the world.
If you are camping or tailgating, you have a bottle cap opener installed. In addition, there is a storage area that could serve as an ideal cooler for your vehicle.
The bottom of the vehicle is extremely flat, so that you can drive over about anything. This image gives you a perspective of just how big it is. However, it is still shorter than an F-150 by about three inches, according to my measurements.
The screens are incredible. The sound is excellent coming out of the 15-speaker system as well.
It comes with a Hepa air filter, which keeps the air inside the cabin clean. If toxins are in the air, these will keep you from breathing them in. Getting ready for the end times!
There is no truck as tough and durable as the Cybertruck. And it is quicker than a sports car. No one has created a vehicle as complex and versatile as this.
In a concluding observation, it's notable that mainstream media has been critical of this event, labeling it insignificant or a failure, which is a common media tendency. It's important to approach mainstream media narratives with a degree of skepticism. However, discussions with insiders, including five engineers and Sandy Monroe, provide a different perspective. They highlight that the production lines, of which there are several, are designed for complete automation. Contrary to media reports of these vehicles being handmade, these experts explain that the focus is on integrating and fine-tuning machines for every stage of production. This optimization is aimed at cutting down production time to accelerate output significantly. My observations within and around the factory revealed over 87 Cybertrucks in various stages of production and completion, underscoring the extensive use of automation. This heavy reliance on automated processes might not bode well for the United Automobile Workers (UAW), indicating a shift towards less manual involvement in vehicle manufacturing.
I had the opportunity to meet in person with many individuals whom I've known for a while. This experience was deeply rewarding, and I am truly thankful for all the knowledge gained from it.
