Aptera Motors has made another exciting announcement this week, revealing that it has selected an open-source driver assistance system called “openpilot” as its official system for integration into its production model solar EVs. This is a significant step forward for the startup, which is making great strides towards reaching its goal of scaled EV production in 2023.
The openpilot system, originally developed by comma.ai, has been voted the number one driver assistance system by Consumer Reports and is the only consumer system available (aside from Tesla) that can halt at stop signs and red lights while using only 1/10th the power. This means that future Aptera owners should see virtually-zero efficiency loss while using the driver assistance system.
Aptera’s engineers will create and maintain the necessary code specific to its solar EV that can interface with the open-source driver assistance system, while veteran openpilot community member Chris McCammon will be spearheading the Aptera integration. McCammon shared his thoughts on how the open-source system has evolved since 2017, saying, “Since then, the software has matured immensely and now supports over 200 vehicle models with an easy-to-install kit. Even though openpilot has vastly surpassed nearly all driver assistance systems on the market today, big auto players have not embraced it. They continue to throw hundreds of millions of dollars into developing their own inferior systems, while openpilot is open-source software that anyone can implement for free.”
Aptera co-founder and co-CEO Steve Fambro, who has been using openpilot in his existing vehicle for over 6 months, also praised the system, saying, “It has completely changed how I drive, and I can’t picture a more efficient way for Aptera drivers to be a part of the autonomous future.”
Aptera says that it is currently deciphering exactly how openpilot driver assistance can best be integrated into its vehicles and that several validation steps will be required leading up to the solar EV’s start of production. The plan is to deliver openpilot-capable SEVs to customers, who will then receive a shipment of the compatible hardware that can be installed thereafter in under 30 minutes.
This move is yet another savvy business decision by Aptera Motors as it seeks to minimize expenses in finally bringing its long-promised SEVs to the masses. With the help of openpilot, Aptera is taking a significant step forward in the race towards the autonomous future of driving.
