Aitekx to offer Robotruck with Tesla’s Cybertruck looks

Tesla’s Cybertruck, shortly to reach the first customers, is undeniably a one-of-a-kind truck. Its controversial stainless steel bodied design has been the subject of numerous debates and it’s one of those vehicles you will either love or hate. But there must be at least 2 million people who do like it because that’s believed to be the number of orders Tesla has collected up till today.

Elon Musk himself said last year that the company has orders for every unit they plan to make in the first three years, though it’s not revealed just what the production rate is. But then again, all it took was just US$100 (RM467 today) to make a reservation and those who can’t wait too long may just be fine with losing that deposit.

Those who can’t wait may now have another choice if they really want that kind of look. At the LA Auto Show on this week, a company in California called Aitekx is displaying an angular truck which it calls a Robotruck. Anyone who sees it will immediately think of the Cybertruck but Aitekx executives have said that the inspiration for their design did not come from Tesla’s vehicle. Okay… great minds think alike and all that then.

Who’s Aitekx?
The first question would be who is Aitekx (AI + Tech + X), and the answer is that they are a start-up described as ‘a US corporation dedicated in versatile AI clean energy vehicles and mobility robotics development and manufacturing with its AI optimized productization technology’. If you are sceptical about whether this company will be around long enough to deliver vehicles, remember a new company called Tesla in 2003… who would have imagined it be where it is today?

The vehicle it is showing at the motorshow is the Robotruck 1T and it’s presented as a multi-function midsize pick-up truck with a 1.8-metre long cargo bed. With a back seat extension and the tailgate left down, the cargo bed length can reach 3.5 metres – about 200 mm shorter than a Perodua Axia. So it will be a pretty long vehicle with a length up to 5 metres – but the Cybertruck is longer still.

Body-on-frame structure
There will be single row and two-row cabins, with lots of options like sports and off-road packages and other personalisation options including 3 seats per row. Aitekx expects it to be enjoyable for adventure motoring as well as workhorse duties. Those who study the description of the SUV version will notice mention of ‘body on frame’ for the structure.

It is still at prototype stage so detailed technical specs are not being revealed yet. The drivetrain will have single or dual electric motors, the latter for all-wheel drive capability. Target performance numbers are 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, top speed of ‘165 m/h’ and a range of up to 885 kms.

The range seems ambitious but battery technology is advancing at a rapid pace and if you think about what the average range was 2 years ago, the target that Aitekx has for its Robotruck might not be that ambitious.

Wireless charging for battery pack
There’s no mention about the battery pack but there is an item in the configurator which is for Wireless Charging. It’s a $2,000 (RM9,345) option described as ‘Bottom Charging’ and that certainly can refer to a Qi wireless charging pad in the cabin for a smartphone. Wireless charging is still rare in EVs at this time but might become more common by the time the Robotruck is actually produced.

Indicative base prices range from $45,000 to $99,000 (RM210,260 – RM462,600) with a choice of 4 variants. Production is planned to start in 2025 and like Tesla, Aitekx accepts reservations for just $100. Those who book before November 26, 2023 get a $5,000 (RM23,260) discount and being an EV, there will be $7,500 (RM35,000) tax credit from the government as well as other local incentives to offset the cost.

Different EV market from 20 years ago
Tesla was a brave pioneer of EVs 20 years ago and it is only in the past few years that it has actually rocketed to dominance. Aitekx is coming into a market that already has numerous EV players – both established ones with decades of experience as well as ambitious start-ups. We’ll have to wait another two years to know its fate.

First Tesla Cybertruck completed at Giga Texas factory