Think Tesla’s Cybertruck is Chaotic? Meet the Robotruck 1T

At the 2023 LA Auto Show, an unexpected sight awaited attendees: the Robotruck 1T, an all-new electric pickup resembling the Cybertruck but with an even more peculiar design.

Produced by Silicon Valley automotive startup Aitekx, the truck’s appearance might be challenging on the eyes, but its estimated specs are intriguing. These include a 550-mile (885-km) range, a 3.5-second 0-60-mph (96.5 km/h) acceleration, a practical 6-foot expandable pickup box (or prism), and tailored packages for various pickup driver preferences, ranging from project managers to overlanders.

Aitekx’s Attempt at an Electric Truck Blend

Aitekx appears to be making a concerted effort to amalgamate features from various prominent electric trucks into its own offering. The most evident inspiration comes from the unmistakable design of the Cybertruck. While the new debut shares the shiny metallic geometric styling seen in the Cybertruck, Tesla’s vehicle maintains a cohesive design throughout. In contrast, Aitekx attempts to enhance the design with additional curves, character lines, and volumetric surfaces, resulting in an effect that, in our view, is less appealing.

The Struggles of Integrating an SUV Cab with a Cybertruck-Inspired Pickup Bed in the Robotruck

The Robotruck gives the impression that Aitekx designed an SUV cab and front end, then forcefully fused it onto the front of a Cybertruck-inspired pickup bed. Attempts to blend these disparate elements involve adding excessive, thick, and over-designed lines and facets on the sides, along with merging the sloped bed rails into an overly elongated roofline. The small glasshouse wedged in between further disrupts any hope of achieving aesthetic proportions or symmetry. While the epsilon-lamped front end could potentially be appealing on a crossover or larger SUV, its short and soft appearance is ill-suited for the elongated, sharp metal structure that follows.

Aitekx’s Approach with the Robotruck’s Midgate-Expandable Bed for Enhanced Utility

Aitekx envisions the Robotruck, measuring 198 inches (503 cm), as a midsize pickup that can don full-size attire and undertake similar robust tasks. Taking a cue from General Motors, it features a midgate-expandable bed. The 6.1-foot-long (1.9 m) bed is comparable to those in large-bed midsize trucks but extends to 9.5 feet (2.9 m) with the rear seats folded and midgate down. When the tailgate is dropped, the total floor length extends to 11.5 feet (3.5 m), surpassing the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra EVs by more than half a foot (15 cm).

Aitekx has disclosed limited details about the mechanical components of the Robotruck, mentioning plans for a single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD). The projected specifications include an estimated range of 550 miles (885 km), surpassing Tesla’s optimistic 500-mile (805 km) projection at the Cybertruck’s 2019 debut. Despite seeming to borrow specs from the Cybertruck and adding 10%, the Robotruck’s 3.5-second 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h) acceleration is notably slower than the Cybertruck’s estimated 2.9 seconds.

Aitekx’s Plans for the Robotruck 1T, Including Features, Pricing, and Future Expansion

Aitekx intends to offer the Robotruck 1T in both 188-inch (478 cm) single-cab and 198-inch (503 cm) double-cab variants. Options include two off-road packages, a camping package, an AI driver-assist system, a foldable bed cover, and butterfly-style “Hawk Doors.” The company aims for base prices ranging from $45,000 for the single-cab RWD to $99,000 for the flagship AWD sports model. Reports from LA suggest a targeted production launch in 2026. Additionally, an eight-seat Robotruck 1V SUV is part of the company’s future plans.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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