Slate Auto is tapping into a growing sentiment that modern technology has become overly pervasive by introducing a unique approach to vehicle navigation. The startup proposes an affordable electric truck equipped with only the bare essentials, letting owners handle everything else themselves for a starting price below $25,000.
A Minimalist Cabin Experience
Among the modern amenities left out of the Slate truck is an integrated infotainment system. The dashboard features only a small digital screen that displays vehicle speed and driving range, alongside the backup camera feed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. While the cabin includes two USB-C ports, these supply electrical power exclusively without offering data connectivity.
To help drivers navigate without built-in digital mapping, the manufacturer provides a solution named Screenless GPS. Although Ars Technica has not tested the vehicle itself, the company received a unit of this navigation system for review. The device turns out to be a traditional spiral-bound road atlas.
Slate explains its philosophy by stating that drivers should rely on devices they already know and trust. The company points out that printed maps served previous generations effectively and remain capable of doing the same today.
