Comment by _carbyau_
5 days ago
Seems vaporware at the moment.
But has anyone else had thoughts on how solid "solid state" batteries are?
IE could the frame of my next motorbike be made from solid state batteries?
5 days ago
Seems vaporware at the moment.
But has anyone else had thoughts on how solid "solid state" batteries are?
IE could the frame of my next motorbike be made from solid state batteries?
>With Verge Motorcycles bikes now using the company’s solid state battery technology in vehicles out on the road in use in Q1
Claiming that a technology is shipping imminently doesn't fit the normal definition of vapourware.
All claims fit the definition of vaporware until and unless it's actually shipping to real customers.
Has it shipped? Has it been reviewed? Has it been verified in any way? So it is vapourware, at the moment.
In the next moment some source of verification could appear, which is fine, then it wouldn't be vapourware. But as of commenting - as of the moment - this is the state of affairs.
Solid doesn't mean structural strength. Uncompacted snowflakes are solid, nobody builds things with them (igloos etc are compacted or ice).
Curiously, anyone doubting the veracity of the claims has been voted down.
If anything, this makes me more cynical that this is a marketing exercise on something that continues to be vapourware until independently verified.
If anyone wants to show/link to an independent verification, feel free!
What would be the point of lying about something easily verifyable that you are shipping in the next few months?
You don't think there are business strategies that work with "short term reputation gain, PR manage the crap out of later reputation pain" ? Particularly in marketing?
Lets make up a bullshit scenario and see how plausible it is:
Step 1. Make substantial claims on battery technology in production use, in association with a product.
Result 1. Lot of eyes now see product. In this case, the motorcycle. Marketing success!
Step 2. Milk for as long as possible. Deny external validations of the tech where possible. Maybe a couple of days, maybe a couple of weeks. Bonus points for doing it with a smile and maintaining "positive PR".
Result 2. Maximise eyes on the product, take in orders/deposits - in this case for the motorcycle. Later when it is apparent to all that the battery tech was bullshit...
Step 3. Announce: "Sorry, we couldn't make this otherwise great battery technology work to our very high standards. But the rest of our motorcycle runs fine with exactly the same battery tech as our competitors so you're no worse off! We'll refund anyone who laid down money if they wish to cancel their order."
Result 3. Those who laid down money consider that they're not getting miracle battery tech. Some % (large percentage?) cancel their order. Some % (small percentage?) keep their order because they have the money to not care for what is ostensibly a luxury item that will still largely fulfill it's role. Or because they still like that cool hubless rear wheel.
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Overall results of bullshit scenario:
1. Marketing goal of many more people knowing about your motorcycle is achieved. Market penetration of mindshare.
2. Maybe some new orders directly based of the bullshit battery tech claim. But certainly more likely to get new orders from the increased public mindshare.
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Now this is a fabricated scenario. Is it what is happening here? I don't have the information to know. All I can do is take things at face value.
Right here, right now, all we have are significant claims on battery technology. Words - promises even! - but no matching product as yet verified. Hence Vapourware.
If the company can back these claims up with substance, then it is no longer vapourware. It is an awesome battery product!
I honestly wish/hope/would-love if this battery tech is real! A major step change in battery tech would be fantastic for the world at large!
But given that similar claims/promises in the past have proven to be false, I am not holding my breath. Merely, noting it exists as vapourware at this stage.
In theory. There's a few "car frame made of solid state batteries" idea explorations on YouTube. Of course someone actually has to make it. And ensure you don't electrocute the emergency personnel touching the car, after you get into a crash.