Improving functionality

[malcolm]

"... it's that sort of thing where you want this to be a car that even if it wasn't an electric car, you'd say, "Wow, I really wish I had that as a sedan – whether it was electric or not, I don't care. It's just such a great car."......it's going to be a good-looking car, but it's also going to be a very functional car. And I think functionality is extremely important." - EM

So often claims of innovation in the auto industry amount to nothing more than pointless gadgetry, e.g. rain-sensing windshield wipers - as if a driver is incapable of noticing rainfall and operating a simple switch!

We're so used to silly features lists that it is difficult to come up with genuine benefits for the owner.

So, let's assume future cars from Tesla are going to look good; let's assume that they will have the usual gadgets; let's forget about drivetrains.

How will they be better? How will they be easier to use and to live with? How will they be more compelling?

Feel free to list things which may be impossible for Tesla to achieve without major input from outside/ever.

Here's my 2c:-

The Self-cleaning car: windshield, windows and paintwork...

http://www.pilkington.com/resources/...sdatasheet.pdf
Scientists ponder self-cleaning bathroom. 23/01/2006. ABC News Online

[Cobos]

I like the ideas that Think has for their Ox, where the key is basically a USB-drive with all your personal preferences and your music and data. That actually sounds like a very useful feature if you take the time to set it up.

That's the first I come up with off the top of my head.

Cobos

[mt2]

Something the the best EV prototypes are wearing this year is photovoltaic panels to operate the interior environment equipment (air conditioner,heat) even while the car is shut off. The idea is to get into a comfortable car even when it's been sitting in a parking lot in Phoenix Arizona all day.

I think that's an absolute must-have for the idiots who take their dog to the grocery store with them (present company excluded, of course).

[malcolm]

Th!nk-like telemetry.

The Th!nk New City lets you text your car for the state of charge and the car is in contact with Th!nk in Norway who monitor the battery calender life etc.

A future EV could be set to defrost on a cold morning via the key fob, without you having to unlock and sit in the car. Could turn on the AC remotely on a hot day as well.

[BBHighway]

The rain-sensing windshield wipers are a gimmick, but if the car could sense rain while sitting in the parking lot, (ie. at work), and put up the windows by itself, (and close the sunroof, if applicable), that would prevent a wet seat on the ride home.

Probably not allowed, due to the danger of someone/pets getting stuck in the window.

[doug]

With connectivity there is the possibility of some nice security features. (Just as long as only I have control of them and my right to privacy isn't violated.) You could track your car if it was stolen, or know if it's been broken into. With cameras an image could be sent to your phone. You could know who gave you that door dingie in the parking lot.

[malcolm]

Many cars (including the Roadster) have automatic tire pressure sensing. Maybe DOT safety can allow automatic tire pressure control (with suitable backups and overrides).

[malcolm]

Accessories for supermarket shopping

A set of suitable containers with carry handles which can stack straight into your domestic trunk freezer and which also fit neatly across the width/depth of the car's trunk.

Maybe could be extended to fit shopping carts and a range of freezers, fridges and kitchen cupboards.

No need for grocery bags, since the loose items in the shopping cart can be sorted into appropriate containers in the car's trunk.

[TEG]

F1 had custom fit luggage.



I like the idea of custom fit shopping containers.
If you keep your frozen foods insulated better from store to freezer then less energy is needed to re-freeze it.

[WarpedOne]

I like the idea of custom fit shopping containers. If you keep your frozen foods insulated better from store to freezer then less energy is needed to re-freeze it.

How much energy is used to design in produce custom fit shopping containers?
Custom tooling, special design, special materials ... In the end you consume more.

With every thing there are visible and hidden costs.