Aptera Safety
The folks at Accelerated Composites take safety seriously -- a good decision, since the Aptera classified as a three-wheel motorcycle. Many people have reservations about these types of motorcycles because of their dangerous tendency to roll over.
When automakers experimented with this design in the past, they usually worked with a delta formation -- one wheel in the front and two wheels in the back. The problem with the delta formation has to do with what's called a velocity vector. Every moving object has its own velocity vector. The velocity vector of a car driving north on a highway can simply be described as north -- think of an imaginary line pointing straight from the front of the vehicle. If you turn to the left, however, the vector velocity shifts, and shifting too far outside of the wheelbase when turning can flip a delta configuration. A tadpole formation like the Aptera's -- two wheels in front and one wheel in back -- will keep a vehicle’s velocity vector between those two front wheels and significantly decrease chances of rolling over.
 Image courtesy Accelerated Composites Two wheels in front and one in back help eliminate any tendency for the Aptera to roll over. |
In addition to the wheel placement, the Aptera's been given a low center of gravity and traction control to greatly reduce the risk of rolling over. Race cars, for instance, also have low centers of gravity, because the weight of the car needs to overcome the force it experiences from turning corners at high speeds. SUVs, on the other hand, typically have higher centers of gravity and tend to roll over more easily.
Crash tests have also proven successful, as the Aptera exceeded strength requirements for rollover and frontal impact requirements. The safety cage in the front of the vehicle gets its inspiration from Formula One race cars, which can easily reach speeds of up to 200 mph.
 Image courtesy Accelerated Composites The Aptera's "Eyes Forward" system gives drivers a 180-degree rear view sight. |
The outside structure isn't the only part of the Aptera that provides safety. As part of what Accelerated Composites calls the "Eyes Forward" vision system, a video display is located in front of the driver, offering a 180-degree view behind the vehicle. As you can see from the pictures above, rear view sight is limited because of the Aptera's body design. The video display is necessary for safe driving conditions. A GPS system located on the center console provides further assurance, letting you know that you're at least heading in the right direction.
The Aptera is a "two plus one" concept -- two adults can fit comfortably in the driver and passenger seat, and a removable third seat is located in the back for infants. Removing that back seat allows enough room for 15 bags of groceries. If "two plus one" want to cruise around the California coast, though, do they have to wear helmets? Even though the Aptera is classified as a motorcycle, you don't need to wear a motorcycle helmet -- or obtain a motorcycle license, for that matter -- because the vehicle is enclosed. The Aptera's classification only makes things easier for California residents, actually, as drivers are permitted to use HOV lanes, even if there's only one person inside.
To learn more about the Aptera and other alternative automobiles, look over the links on the next page.
